T2 de la Prefecture in Arras

I came in for my titre de séjour appointment, went through it, then left. There’s not much else for me to say.

My first visit was appalling. I’d been in the country since 2004 and had all the documents, plus extra copies that took hours to put together, for my ten year EU residence permit. Instead, I was questioned about not working in France, even though this is where the Channel Tunnel comes out and my French tax returns clearly showed foreign income. They also challenged my partner’s Irish nationality and passport, asking whether it was north or south. Then my time was up and I was told to come back, after several interruptions from people wanting their dossiers checked during my timed appointment. I have to return in November. It was deeply frustrating and reflects badly on France. I know the UK can be much the same. I ended up asking the ombudsman and the European Commission’s Solvit service for help. Shame on the Prefecture Arras service for integration and foreigners. I’m glad the nationality application goes through Lille, where staff seem less redneck and xenophobic. We like living here, but not dealing with little jobsworths who can’t do their work efficiently. After I eventually managed to submit our dossiers, I heard nothing, so I contacted EU Solvit. The outcome was interesting. Our carte sejours were ready for collection six weeks after submission, but nobody contacted us, despite having our landline and address. I’d written twice in French, with stamped addressed envelopes, asking for a formal decision and saying I intended to appeal through the EU europa appeal mechanism. There was no response. One call from Solvit, though, and suddenly the cards were there. When we went to collect them, the staff couldn’t have been more different from the first visit. They were helpful and courteous, with big smiles, and one fonctionaire clearly went out of her way to help a client in difficulty. My first impressions still stand, but that return visit showed the France I know and love. I didn’t feel a need to pursue a complaint, despite the bizarre lack of reply to the two sae. I’m relieved the next step, applying for French nationality, happens in the international European city of Lille.

The service was fantastic and quick. The staff were so nice, kind, and humble 🥰👌👍

Quick and clear service, with kind, smiling staff.