🇫🇷 How a child who came to France as a minor can obtain a titre de séjour at age 18 – Complete guide
Translated from Bengali.
Many families ask me this question:
👉 “My child came to France at a young age. They are now about to turn 18. Will they get a titre de séjour?”
The reality is: a titre de séjour is not issued automatically in all cases.
However, under the law, in various situations there is an opportunity to obtain a titre de séjour after turning 18.
A detailed explanation based on French law is given below.
1️⃣ Children who came through regroupement familial
If a child comes to France with a regroupement familial visa, then after turning 18, if they apply, they may obtain:
Carte de séjour pluriannuelle
Or Carte de résident (10 years) if the family member who applied had a resident card
Otherwise, at least a Carte de séjour temporaire
📜 Law:
CESEDA – Articles L423-23 et suivants
🔎 Important point
In many cases, the period of stay in France as a minor is also counted as séjour régulier.
2️⃣ Those who came to France before the age of 13
If a young person can prove:
They came to France before the age of 13
And lived here with their parents
Then, upon turning 18, they can apply automatically (de plein droit) for:
👉 Carte de séjour “vie privée et familiale” (1 year)
📜 Law:
CESEDA Article L423-21
⚠️ Here, whether the parents are régularisé is not always an obstacle.
3️⃣ Those who were born in France
If a foreigner:
Was born in France
Has lived in France for at least 8 years
And, after the age of 10, studied in a French school for at least 5 years
Then they may obtain:
👉 Carte de séjour “vie privée et familiale”
📜 Law:
CESEDA Article L423-22
4️⃣ Minors under ASE (Aide Sociale à l’Enfance)
If a minor is under the care of ASE:
If they were taken in before the age of 16
Upon turning 18, they may obtain:
👉 Titre de séjour “vie privée et familiale”
Conditions:
They are doing a formation or studying
They have no relationship, or a very weak relationship, with their family in their country of origin
The social organization provides proof of their intégration
📜 Law:
CESEDA Article L435-3
If they were taken into ASE after the age of 16
Then they generally have to apply for:
👉 Admission exceptionnelle au séjour
Possible cards:
Salarié
Travailleur temporaire
Étudiant
📜 Law:
CESEDA Article L435-1
5️⃣ Those who came without a visa and were not in ASE
This situation is the most common and the most difficult.
There is no automatic titre de séjour after turning 18.
However, it is possible to apply for:
👉 Admission exceptionnelle au séjour
The préfecture generally looks at:
How many years they have been in France
Whether they studied at school
Whether they have work or training
Integration into society
📜 Law:
CESEDA Article L435-1
⚠️ This is not a right; it is at the préfecture’s discretion.
📄 Documents generally required
When applying at the préfecture, the following are generally required:
Identity
1. Passport/birth certificate (traduction si nécessaire)
2. Proof of presence in France
3. School certificates
4. diplôme
5. bulletin scolaire
6. attestation de formation
Proof of address
7. attestation d’hébergement
8. facture EDF / téléphone
9. quittance de loyer
Family-related
10. parents documents
11. livret de famille (si disponible)
Work or training
12. contrat de travail
13. promesse d’embauche
14. fiches de paie
15. attestation employeur
Other
16. photos d’identité
17. justificatifs d’intégration (association, stage, etc.)
⚠️ Important reality
Many people think:
👉 A titre de séjour is obtained as soon as one turns 18
This is a misconception.
The préfecture generally looks at these factors:
Length of stay in France
Studies
Work
Social ties
Family situation
i️ Important advice
Each case is different.
Incorrect information or an incorrect application can lead to a refus or an OQTF.
So before applying:
Analyze your own situation carefully
If necessary, consult a lawyer or someone experienced
📢 Share this information.
Many young people face problems because they do not know the correct information before turning 18.
ℹ️ This article reflects the rules on its publication date; they can change. For your own case, come to the office with your papers: 7 rue Solférino, 93300 Aubervilliers (Saturday – Thursday, 10am – 8pm).