A revolution ” ? Thursday, November 3, Gérald Darmanin explained, on CNews, that “all foreigners who want a residence permit will have to pass a French exam”.
To support his point, the Minister of the Interior assured that people who did not sufficiently master the language of Molière would be refused entry into France.
As hard-hitting as it is, this statement seems to be making a splash on social networks, as the measure is not really new. 20 minutes make the point.
FAKE OFF
The declaration of the Minister of the Interior, amazed on social networks. Not because of its severity, no doubt the desired effect through its declaration, but because these examinations already exist… Indeed, whatever the residence permit applied for, foreigners who would like to settle in France are already subject to an assessment of their knowledge of the language of Molière.
Levels required according to demand
The various residence permits even graduate the level of French required to obtain the precious sesame.
Thus, a foreigner applying for a first residence permit must be able to prove level A1 of the common european framework of reference for languages (CEFR) of the Council of Europe. This level can be justified in three different ways.
Either it is valued within the framework of the OFII citizen course which corresponds to a secure linguistic test or certificate, issued by a certifying body recognized at national or international level, which establishes and validates mastery of written and oral skills (e.g.: the French alliance). Either it is validated by a diploma issued by a French authority, in France or abroad, attesting to education followed in French, greater than or equal to the national patent diploma. Either it is justified by a diploma obtained abroad, but recognized by the State and justifying a sufficient knowledge of French.
Rare exceptions
For multi-year applications, which make it possible to obtain a visa for several years, after the first application, the level required is the same.
For foreigners who have resided and lived in France for several years, it is possible to apply for a resident card. A residence permit that allows applicants to reside in France for ten years. For this request, the level of knowledge of French required will be A2.
There are, however, some exceptions to the knowledge of French required, in particular for asylum seekers, students, certain cases of family reunification or some medical certificates attesting to a disability that does not allow the assessment of the level required. Those over 65 are also exempt from these examinations.
Anything but a revolution
“The assessment of these levels is sometimes dependent on the agent who assesses them, explains Melody Olibe, a lawyer specializing in foreigners’ law, which sometimes makes the procedures a little vague. »
If the Minister of the Interior did not specify what changes could occur on the current legislation, it seems very exaggerated to speak of revolution on this subject.