Foreigners wishing to enter and stay in Monaco for a period not exceeding three months need only to possess a valid passport (or French National Identity Card for French Nationals). For stays longer than three months, foreigners will need to apply for a long-stay visa.

Basically, the procedures for obtaining a resident card will depend on your nationality, and whether you posses a French residency permit. Foreigners who are nationals of European Economic Area (including Swiss and Andorran nationals) are exempted from applying for a resident card. They need only apply in person at the Public Safety Department or "Direction de la Surete Publique" (Aliens Department, 4 rue Louis Notari; Tel: (+377) 93.153.017). You will need to have some documents ready beforehand, such as a work document endorsed by the particular Employment Department of the Principality, a rental contract or certification of accommodation or deed of ownership, proof of nationality, and a sworn statement stating that you have never been convicted.

Foreigners from another country outside those listed above and outside France will need to apply for a long-stay visa from a French consul closest to their home country. You will need to produce documents similar to those listed in the paragraph above. For detailed information, visit the Official Government Website of Monaco at www.gouv.mc. Alternatively, contact your home country's consular office for more information. Several countries (e.g. US and Australia)'s consular offices provide detailed information and advice on how to go about applying for Monegasque residency for their citizens. Within eight days of arriving in Monaco, all foreigners aged 16 years and above will need to apply for a Monegasque residence permit / card ("carte de sejour) from the Residents Section of the Public Security Department. This is the same office to go to, if there is a change in address.

Work Permit

No foreigner may reside and work in Monaco without a valid work permit, which is issued after a valid entry permit is granted. The work permit issued is valid only for that particular post reflected in the permit – if there is a change in employer, trade or profession, foreigners will need to request for a new permit. The work permit is applied at The Employment Office ("Direction du Travail et des Affairs Sociales Service de a'emploi") at La Fregate, 2 Rue Princesse Antoinette (Tel: +377 93.158.814). Expatriates should be prepared to undergo a medical examination carried out by the Employment Medical Service.

Expatriates should take note that employers who wish to post foreigners to work in Monaco, or wishing to extend work permits for foreigners, must also obtain permission from The Employment Office prior to applying for a work permit for foreigners. The Employment Office keeps a record of all potential candidates who have registered with them, and they will present potential candidates to the employer for their consideration. Obtaining a work permit for foreigners is not always easy as the Monegasque laws protect the local labor force closely. Monegasque Nationals seeking employment have first priority over vacant jobs, followed by foreigners married to Monegasque women (and not legally separated) and foreigners born to a Monegasque parent. Even foreigners living in Monaco who have a job has priority over those who do not. Only when The Employment Office is satisfied that the position cannot be suitably filled, will a Request for Recruitment and Registration Authorization Form (Demande d'Autorisation d'Embauchage et d'Immatriculation) be sent to the employer. This document must be signed by the employer and returned to The Employment Office within a month. The information is forwarded to the Monegasque Social Security (Caisses Sociales de Monaco), which issues a temporary registration number.

It is also the Employer that must establish an employment or work contract for the expatriate prior to the expatriate's posting to Monaco, as this document is needed for the application for a long-stay visa which is done in the expatriate's home country.

For more information about visas, residence cards and work permits, you contact the Administrative Information Center. The Administrative Information Center is located in Fontvieille (23 Avenue Albert II). The center is open 9am to 5pm (Tel: +377.98.984.026.)

Registering a Marriage in Monaco

Foreigners who wish to marry and have their marriage registered in Monaco must have resided in Monaco for at least one month. The approval process takes at least one month, as notice periods must be fulfilled before the marriage can take place. Foreigners will need to show proof that they are single (or not legally married) at the point of registration. Marriages take place at the Monaco Town Hall at is located at the Place de la Mairie.