Exceptional admission to stay is a regularization procedure that allows a non-European foreigner in an irregular situation to obtain a residence permit for “private and family life”, “employee” or “temporary worker”.
Exceptional admission to stay consists of regularizing the situation of a foreigner in an irregular situation in France. The two main means of regularization are regularization through work or through respect for private and family life. The foreigner in an irregular situation must request the regularization of his/her situation as soon as he/she has the necessary justifications for this purpose. The application file for regularization is sent to the prefecture of the foreigner’s place of residence. The procedure, including the required documents, may vary depending on the prefecture due to the discretionary power of the prefectural authority in this matter.