Multi-year residence permit: who is eligible in 2026?

By The FrenchPappers team · Published on 20 July 2026 · Last checked on 20 July 2026 · 6 min read

The multi-year residence permit (CSP) is the intermediate permit between your first one-year permit and the ten-year resident card. Depending on your ground, it lasts 2 to 4 years. Since January 2026, its issuance requires passing the civic exam and a French level of A2.

The CSP, the link between the one-year permit and the resident card

The multi-year residence permit, which we abbreviate here as CSP, is a residence permit lasting several years. It sits in the middle of a three-stage journey: first a one-year initial permit, then the CSP lasting 2 to 4 years, and finally the ten-year resident card. Understanding this timeline saves you from a common mistake: believing that you go straight from the first permit to the ten-year card. In the vast majority of cases, the CSP is the mandatory step that links the two.

The CSP was created by the law of 7 March 2016. Its purpose: to avoid returning to the prefecture every year once your situation has stabilised. You keep the same ground for residence (employee, private and family life, student, etc.), but over a longer period.

Who is entitled to the multi-year residence permit?

As a general rule, the CSP is obtained after a first year of lawful residence under a one-year temporary residence permit (CST) or a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS). You must continue to meet the conditions of the ground under which you were admitted to reside, and demonstrate your attendance at the republican integration contract (CIR).

Several profiles are concerned: employees, self-employed workers (entrepreneurs, professionals, tradespeople), spouses of French nationals and parents of a French child under the private and family life category, students, and holders of a talent passport. The acronym VPF refers to the « vie privée et familiale » category.

How long does it last? The duration depends on your ground

There is no single duration. The validity of the CSP varies from 2 to 4 years depending on the ground for residence. Here are the reference durations from the administration.

The talent passport is a special case: it is a multi-year card that can be issued upon arrival, without going through a one-year permit. If this applies to you, see our article on the conditions of the talent passport in 2026.

The 2026 conditions: civic exam, A2 level and attendance at the CIR

This is the major change this year. Since 1er janvier 2026, for any first application for a multi-year residence permit, two new requirements apply, arising from the law of 26 January 2024 to control immigration and improve integration:

• Passing the civic exam, with the « carte de séjour pluriannuelle » category. It is a questionnaire of 40 questions in French, to be completed in 45 minutes; you need at least 32 correct answers (80 %) to pass it.
• Proof of a French level of A2, compared with A1 previously.

These two conditions come on top of your attendance and genuine engagement with the training prescribed under the CIR, signed with the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII). Some people are exempt, in particular those over 65, Algerian nationals (whose situation falls under a specific agreement) and beneficiaries of international protection.

The civic training of the CIR remains the standard preparation route. We detail this point in our dedicated article: the mandatory civic training for the residence permit in 2026.

The full timeline: from year 1 to the ten-year card

Here is the typical journey, step by step, to place the CSP over time:

• Year 1 — The first permit. You enter with a VLS-TS or a one-year temporary residence permit, depending on your ground. You sign the CIR and attend the training.
• Years 2 to 5 — The CSP. After this first year of lawful residence, and subject to the 2026 conditions, you apply for the 2-to-4-year multi-year card. You no longer return to the prefecture every year.
• Next — The ten-year resident card. After several years of lawful residence (often 3 years for spouses of French nationals and parents of a French child, 5 years in the general case), you may qualify for the resident card, subject to integration and resource conditions.

The CSP is therefore the bridge between the two. For the rest of the journey, read our guide on the ten-year resident card in 2026. If your situation changes in the meantime (for example from student to employee), see our article on the change of status from student to employee.

How to submit your application

The application is made online on the ANEF (Administration numérique pour les étrangers en France). You must submit your file within the two months preceding the expiry of your current permit. A receipt is issued to you to cover the processing period.

Prepare your supporting documents in advance: passport, proof of address, documents specific to your ground (employment contract, marriage certificate, school enrolment certificate, etc.), and the certificates related to the CIR, the civic exam and the A2 level. To build a complete file, rely on our help with completing the ANEF file.

Frequently asked questions

Is the CSP automatic after a year of holding a permit?

No. It is never automatic. The prefecture checks that you still meet the conditions of your ground, your attendance at the CIR and, since 2026, the passing of the civic exam and the A2 level. We cannot guarantee issuance.

Does a « vie privée et familiale » CSP really last only 2 years?

Yes, the CSP under the private and family life category is issued for a maximum of 2 years, compared with 4 years for an employee. The duration depends on the ground, not on your seniority.

Does the civic exam also concern renewal?

The civic exam is required for the first issuance of the CSP, of the resident card and for naturalisation. Always check your exact situation on service-public.gouv.fr, as exemptions exist.

Can I go straight to the ten-year resident card?

In most cases, no. The resident card requires several years of lawful residence, often via the CSP. Some profiles reach it faster, but the CSP remains the most common step.