AN X user, @OIuwatosin, has claimed that anyone with a master’s degree obtained in France and two years of legal residency in the country can apply for French citizenship.
The post read:
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CLAIM
Anyone with a Master’s degree obtained in France can apply for citizenship after two years of legal residency.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MOSTLY TRUE, according to official records.
Under French naturalization laws, the general requirement is that a foreign national must legally reside in France for five continuous years before applying for citizenship.
However, this duration is reduced to two years for individuals from Non EU/ EEA countries who have successfully completed at least two years of higher education in France and obtained a diploma awarded by a French institution.
This provision is enshrined in Article 21-18 of the French Civil Code, which states that:
“The residency requirement mentioned in Article 21-17 is reduced to two years when the foreigner has successfully completed two years of studies in a French higher education institution in order to obtain a diploma delivered by the French state.”
This means that holders of a Master’s degree (or higher) from a French university, having studied in France for at least two years, are eligible to apply for citizenship after two years of legal residence, provided other criteria are met.
These criteria include:
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Proficiency in French at B2 level, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Applicants must present a certificate from an approved language test, such as the DELF or TCF.
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Stable and sufficient income: Applicants must prove they have a regular source of income and are financially independent. This often includes showing employment contracts, tax returns, or payslips.
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Good moral character and clean criminal record: Any significant criminal offense may lead to rejection of the application.
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While obtaining the degree can fast-track the process, experts note that securing a stable job in France is often a challenge, as French labour laws make it difficult to dismiss employees. This results in employers being more cautious when hiring.
However, there are other ways to acquire French nationality as listed here.
THE VERDICT
The claim that anyone with a Master’s degree obtained in France can apply for citizenship after two years of legal residency is MOSTLY TRUE; official records show that this is one of the means to acquire French nationality. However, they must also meet other requirements like B2-level French proficiency, stable income, and a clean criminal record.
Seasoned fact-checker and researcher Fatimah Quadri has written numerous fact-checks, explainers, and media literacy pieces for The FactCheckHub in an effort to combat information disorder. She can be reached at sunmibola_q on X or fquadri@icirnigeria.org.
