Les Cartes de Sejour

Yesterday we finally received our Cartes de Sejour, or residence permits.

The process for receiving a Carte de Sejour usually takes two months. We applied for ours in March, and expected a letter in May. Well May came and went, and in early June I received a message from the relocation company: they didn't know what the holdup was, we should have news by now, and by the way, our temporary IDs would expire on June 15.

So we made plans with Chantal, the relocation agent, to rendezvous at the prefecture, notfication letter or not.

We got to the prefecture about 15 minutes after they opened and went through two security checkpoints. Then found ourselves back in the same packed, mis-managed hallway, waiting in a long line with a hodgepodge of immigrants. After about 45 minutes we were within sight of the end and watched as one of the three attendants closed her shade at her window. As we got closer, people started cutting into the front of the line. One woman pleaded pregnant, another one was elderly, one was just plain pushy. I couldn't believe they were getting away with this (at least the pushy one), and I wished I spoke enough French to tell them off.

Finally, after an hour and a half, we were at the window and Chantal nudged us to the side while she sweet talked the attendant. The woman opened a big drawer labeled "Levallois" and pulled out our Cartes. I was astounded. I was sure we'd be sent away and told to come back later.

On the way out, Chantal told us that all workers coming into France now have to sign up for both language and culture classes. This is to improve the big integration problem they're having here. If Dave and I had arrived a month later, we would have had to do the same.

Anyway, now we're legal, but only for seven months as the Cartes expire in January. Then we have to start all over again. Plus, we can begin the torturous process of applying for our French driving licenses. Another long line at the prefecture, but next time I'm bringing a book.