Residence Permit Backlog Strains Foreign Nationals in France After COVID Closures

While various prefectures are gradually reopening since mid-June as part of the deconfinement, Moroccans and other foreigners are having trouble obtaining or renewing their residence permit. "Many prefectures have not resumed [reception], some open intermittently, others only offer slots from September. And they are overwhelmed," says Lise Faron, head of residence rights issues at La Cimade.

As a result, thousands of foreigners find themselves in difficult administrative and professional situations, reports Info-migrants. "In some departments, the saturation of appointment booking schedules on the website forces people to log in every day for several months before getting an appointment," explains the Defender of Rights. The latter has made "several recommendations to the Minister of the Interior and asks him to report on the follow-up given to them."