To renew a French visa or residence permit, individuals should begin the process at least four months before their current visa or permit expires to ensure sufficient time for processing and to avoid penalties, such as a €180 regularization fee for late applications. This information applies to all visa types, including short-stay Schengen visas (up to 90 days for tourism, business, or visits), temporary long-stay visas (up to 1 year, e.g., visitor, student, or work), and long-stay visas (e.g., student, worker, family reunification, talent passport), which often transition into a Carte de Séjour (residence permit) for stays beyond one year. Initiating the renewal early ensures compliance and uninterrupted legal residency in France.
1. Documents You Need to Prepare
- Valid passport (issued <10 years ago, 2 blank pages, valid 3 months beyond stay)
- Current residence permit or VLS-TS (original + copy)
- Completed application form (specific to visa/permit type, e.g., Cerfa N° 11221 for students)
- Recent passport-sized photos (conforming to French standards)
- Proof of residence in France (e.g., utility bill, lease agreement, or rent receipt)
- Proof of sufficient financial resources (e.g., bank statements, payslips)
- Proof of health insurance (e.g., Carte Vitale or private insurance)
- Birth certificate (translated into French by sworn translator if required)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable, translated into French)
- Tax stamp (€75–€225, depending on permit type)
- Non-French/English documents translated into French by sworn translator
2. Criteria to Check Your Qualification
- Legal residence in France with valid visa or residence permit
- Continued eligibility for visa/permit type (e.g., enrolled for students, employed for workers)
- Sufficient financial resources (e.g., ~€615/month for students, ~€1,300/month for others)
- Valid health insurance covering stay in France
- No threat to public order or prior overstays
- Compliance with integration requirements (e.g., OFII civic training, A1 French level for some permits)
3. Website to Submit or Make Appointment
- Submission: administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr (online for VLS-TS validation/renewal)
- Appointment: Local prefecture website (find via prefecture’s address or service-public.fr)
- Alternative: Contact local prefecture or sous-préfecture for in-person submission
4. Processing Time
- VLS-TS validation: 1–2 months
- Residence permit renewal: 1–3 months
- Total process: 2–5 months, depending on permit type and prefecture
- Late applications: Additional €180 regularization fee may apply
5. Next Steps
- Submit application online via administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr or in person at prefecture
- Attend appointment with all documents and biometrics (photo, fingerprints)
- Pay tax stamp (€75–€225) at appointment or online
- Receive récépissé (temporary permit) valid for 6 months
- Track application status on ANEF portal or prefecture website
- Collect new residence permit at prefecture
- Update changes (e.g., address, status) via prefecture or ANEF portal