A representative from the Direction des libertés publiques et des affaires juridiques, of France's Ministry of the Interior, indicated the following in a letter dated 27 January 2000:

[translation]

A foreign national residing in France must apply for the renewal of his one-year residence permit two months before it expires. If, after he receives a receipt for his renewal application, he leaves the country and the receipt expires while he is away, he is then considered a first-time immigrant and must apply for a long-stay visa (type D) from the French consular authority in the country where he is at that time. This visa will allow him to enter the country so he can establish residency. The consular services will contact the office for Algerian visas in Nantes, as well as the specialized administrative and police services of the Ministry of the Interior. Because the issuance of this visa depends on investigations involving public security and on their outcome, it cannot be issued automatically. This visa will allow the holder to apply for a residence permit once he is in the country.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

France. 27 January 2000. Direction des libertés publiques et des affaires juridiques, Paris. Letter from a representative.