Renew your residence permit
Proposed by Comité de la Démarche Accessible Updated on il y a 12 joursWhen the expiry date of the residence permit is approaching ("valid until"), you must apply for a new one: this is a renewal of residence permit.
- Refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection apply on the ANEF (Foreigners in France) website.
- Stateless persons apply at the prefecture or sub-prefecture of their department.
In all cases, the renewal application must be made between 4 months (120 days) and 2 months (60 days) before the expiry date of the current document.
How to do it?
The documents required for all residence permit renewals:
- Former residence permit
- Contract of commitment to respect the principles of the French Republic
You must read, print, complete, date and sign the commitment agreement written in French. This document outlines the principles of the French Republic: personal liberty, freedom of expression and conscience, equality between women and men, human dignity, the motto and symbols of the Republic, the territorial integrity of France, and secularism. By signing this document, you commit to respecting these values while residing in France.
Please note that this contract is different from the OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) Republican Integration Contract (CIR ). Everything is explained on the Refugees.info page " Signing the CIR ".
- Proof of address less than 6 months old (proof of address, proof of accommodation, rent receipt, invoice)
- If you are staying with another person (family, friend, volunteer…), you must send a certificate of accommodation from the person hosting you, a copy of their identity card (or residence permit) and proof of address in their name (electricity or telephone bill).
- e-photos
Read the Refugees.info fact sheet: "Taking and using an e-photo"
The new obligations of January 1, 2026 for obtaining a multi-year residence permit or resident permit apply only to the first application (refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and stateless persons and their families are not affected by these obligations).
Everything is explained on this Refugees.info page " Obtaining a residence permit ".
The administration may ask you for other documents depending on your situation, for example:
- If you are married and from a country that allows polygamy: a sworn statement of non-polygamy (not being married to more than one person in France)
- If you participated in the Republican Integration Contract (CIR) training with the OFII: the signed CIR
Read the Refugees.info fact sheet " Signing the Republican Integration Contract (CIR) "
If you have refugee status or subsidiary protection, you must apply for renewal of your residence permit on this website: https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr
Log in to your ANEF (Foreigners in France) account, then click on your name in the top right corner of the homepage, and on " Access my account ".
Or if you've never done so, create your account.
Read the Refugees.info fact sheet: "Create a personal account on Foreigners in France (ANEF)"
- If you do not have a foreign number or visa number, you cannot apply for renewal of residence permit on this site, you must go directly to the prefecture of your department.
1. On your account on the ANEF (Foreigners in France) website, click on " I apply for or renew a residence permit ".
2. Complete the form and send the documents in PDF or image format.
Read the Refugees.info fact sheet: "Scanning a document"
If you apply for a residence permit online, you must scan it and upload it to the "Supporting Documents" section, under "Proof of Address".
> if you apply for a residence permit directly at the prefecture, you must add it to your paper file or send it by mail or using demarche.numerique.gouv.fr .
3. After submitting your application online, you will automatically receive an email invitation to download a " submission confirmation" on your personal space. This document proves that you have successfully submitted your application.
It does not confer any rights, it is only a supporting document.
4. If your application is complete and submitted within the required timeframe, you will receive a "Processing Extension Certificate (API)" for your residence permit renewal application. This document proves your right to reside legally in France and to work. You must always carry your old residence permit (even if it has expired) to maintain your social security rights and travel within the Schengen Area. This certificate is renewable until the prefecture makes a decision.
5. Once the prefecture has approved your application, you will receive a "certificate of favorable decision", which is valid until your new residence permit is available. You must always have your former residence permit (even if its expiry date has passed) to maintain your social rights and be able to travel within the Schengen Area.
The different certificates are explained in this document.
To find out how your renewal application is progressing, log in to your account on the ANEF (Étrangers en France) website, click on your name in the top right corner of the homepage, and then on "Access my account".
There are four steps:
- Application submitted: Your application has been received.
- Your application is being processed: the prefecture has begun to study it, and it is currently being processed.
- Decision made: your request has been processed, a decision has been made.
- Residence permit available: your new card is ready.
The processing times vary in each prefecture.
When your new residence permit is available:
- The prefecture will send you a message (SMS or email).
- The message explains whether you need to make an appointment on your prefecture's website or go directly there on a specific date.
For example, the website of the Paris Police Prefecture.
1. Purchase a €225 tax stamp from the website timbres.impots.gouv.fr or from a tobacconist.
2. Bring the stamp and proof of payment with you on the day you collect your new residence permit.
Read the Refugees.info fact sheet which explains how to buy a tax stamp
Your residence permit is valid:
- 10 years if you have refugee status, that's the "resident" card
- 4 years if you have subsidiary protection or stateless status, it's the "multi-year" card.
What happens next?
The new residence permit is your identity document.
To update your personal information, it is important to send it to:
- the CAF if you receive or have applied for active solidarity income (RSA), activity bonus, housing assistance, family allowances…
- your town hall or the appropriate website if you have applied for social housing
- Health insurance to update your health insurance card
- France Work (formerly Pôle emploi) if you are registered
- your employer if you have a job.
You must declare on the ANEF (Foreigners in France) website:
- if you move and change your address
- if you lose your residence permit
- if your residence permit is cut, damaged, or difficult to read
- if your residence permit has been stolen.
This Refugees.info fact sheet explains how to: "Report a change of situation on Foreigners in France (ANEF)" .
To verify your new address, a certificate with your new address will be available on your personal ANEF account.
If you have a technical problem (page blocked, error message, etc.), you can contact the Citizen Contact Centre (CCC):
- by telephone at 0 806 001 620 (free number),
- or using the contact form (the "Contact" button at the bottom left of the screen). You must clearly explain your problem and send screenshots (showing the website, date, and time) along with the error message if you have one.
If you are unable to complete the process online, you can also receive assistance at a digital access point. in your department, at the prefecture or sub-prefecture. There, you have the possibility to use a computer with internet and professionals provide explanations on the ANEF (Foreigners in France) website.
In specific cases, the CCC can issue a certificate proving that it was impossible to apply online. This certificate allows you to go directly to the prefecture to schedule an appointment and apply for your residence permit in person.
If you do not receive a response from the prefecture or receive a negative response to your application for renewal of residence permit, you can challenge this decision (say that you do not agree).
To challenge it:
- You must file a claim with the Administrative Court nearest to you. To find the contact details for the Administrative Court in your department, click here .
- You can seek help from a lawyer. If you don't have much money, you can apply for legal aid to pay all or part of your legal fees. Read the Refugees.info fact sheet on legal aid.
- You can ask for help from an association that supports foreign people.
- You can contact the Defender of Rights, an administration that helps people in difficulty to access their rights.
- failure to comply with an obligation to leave the territory (OQTF)
- use of forged documents
- serious offenses or crimes (drug trafficking, human trafficking, pimping, substandard working or living conditions…)
- violence against elected officials, public agents or security agents.
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