Foreigners Pay Hundreds for Free Residence Permit Appointments in France

Some associations helping foreigners in France denounce the rates set by companies such as "Pôle Démarches" or "Démarche Française" that offer residence permit applicants an appointment at the prefecture. "800 € for a simple appointment," reveals a residence permit applicant. An exorbitant price for a service that is normally free. These associations helping foreigners in France suspect these companies of scamming residence permit and naturalization applicants and taking advantage of their distress, reports RMC.

A candidate for French nationality who also confided in these associations, recounts having paid 1,700 € to prepare a naturalization file. However, she was not successful. Her application was rejected, and she was not reimbursed by the company. "These companies know nothing!" exclaims the president of an association helping migrants. "It’s a shame," says an activist who assures that these companies "take advantage of the distress of foreigners and ruin them."

Yet these are companies that have a legal existence and have their headquarters in the largest French cities, such as Paris, Marseille or Lyon. The activity of these companies falls within the framework of personal services, which is not illegal, emphasizes the Ministry of the Interior, while inviting victims to report them in case of fraud.