Exceptional admission to stay (AES) and return aid, for people without valid status in France
Admission exceptionnelle au séjour is a case-by-case route for non-European foreigners in an irregular situation. The prefect decides and nothing is automatic. A circular of 23 January 2025 says it must stay exceptional. Service-Public says at least 7 years in France is generally expected. A separate work-based route for shortage jobs runs until 31 December 2026.
Announced changes
- From December 31, 2026 Details with Premium
Moving to France
Practical facts for newcomers, from official sources Finance Living
Finance
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
83
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
11–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 20%
Per household share: 0% up to EUR 11,600, 45% above EUR 181,917 (2025 income, taxed 2026); plus 3-4% high-income contribution and 9.7% CSG/CRDS on most income.
Living
1
Happiness
#33 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Eligibility
Who it’s for: Non-European foreigners in France without valid status, who show humanitarian grounds, work or exceptional reasons.
Legal basis
Sign in to check this route against your profile- 1 CES
- Article L435-
Article L435-1 CESEDA: admission for humanitarian considerations or exceptional reasons. The prefect may issue a card, without applying the condition in Article L412-1.
Time in France
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou generally need at least 7 years of presence in France, with exceptions.
Time in France
- Usual presence
- 7 years
- Habitual residencecommission consulted before refusal
- More than 10 years
- After more than 10 years of habitual residence, the prefect must consult the commission before refusing.
Official wording
Service-Public: generally at least 7 years of presence, with exceptions. After more than 10 years of habitual residence, the prefect must consult the commission before refusing.
Excluded
Sign in to check this route against your profileA threat to public order, an OQTF that has not been carried out, or polygamy in France. You must also commit to the principles of the Republic.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
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- 3 more requirements
- 6 documents
- 1 fee
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Other routes to France
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyVisa long séjour valant titre de séjour (VLS-TS) « étudiant »
- Work permitsCarte de séjour pluriannuelle « talent » (formerly Passeport Talent) - salarié qualifié and carte bleue européenne streams
- 3 more routes with Premium
