Disregarding French rules relating to living and working in France without the necessary administrative approvals can subject the individual to a wide range of civil and penal sanctions.
Penal experiences include :
- Being held in temporary police custody for 24, 48, or 92 hours to facilitate an initial investigation ("Mise en garde à vue")
- Being held at the police station or the Prefecture ("Rétention dans les locaux de la police ou de la Prefecture")
- Prompt appearance before a criminal court ("Comparution immédiate en chambre correctionnelle")
- Eventually being prohibited from reentering France for
five (5) years ("Eventuelle interdiction du territoire pour
5 ans")
If the prosecutor decides not to press criminal charges, there can be significant administrative sanctions.
Administrative sanctions :
- Being given 30 days to leave France ("Invitation à quitter la France")
- Order that the police escort the person out of France ("Arrêté Préfectoral de Reconduite à la Frontière"), which would significantly prejudice a future request to live or work in France.
- Eventually inscription in the files of the Shengen countries which would significantly prejudice a future request to live or work in other Shengen countries
- Prohibition to every become the President or Managing Director of a French company.
In addition, anyone who directly or indirectly facilitated a person's stay in France without the necessary prior approvals can be subject to the following sanctions:
- 5 years of prison for an individual
- a fine an individual
- a very large fine a
corporation
