How to renew your residence permit (Titre de séjour)?

Students

Will your residence permit (titre de séjour) expire soon but you would like to stay in France to continue your studies? You can request to renew it by filing an application with the prefecture (préfecture). Everything can be done in France two months before your residence permit expires.

Wich residence permits can be renewed?

Long-stay visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS, visa long séjour valant titre de séjour)

If you would like to stay in France to continue your studies but your VLS-TS visa will expire soon, you may renew your residence permit by applying for a multi-annual residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle). The application is not free. The first multi-annual residence permit that is issued to you under certain conditions will have a period of validity that corresponds to the number of years remaining in the study programme in which you are enrolled.

For example, if you have finished the first year of your undergraduate degree (licence) in France, you could receive a multi-annual residence permit valid for two years, i.e. until the end of the third year of the undergraduate degree. If you are studying at a Grande École, your renewed residence permit will be valid until you obtain your diploma.

Multi-annual residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle)

If you would like to remain in France to continue your studies but your multi-annual residence permit will expire soon, you may apply for it to be renewed. The application is not free. The new multi-annual residence permit issued to you under certain conditions will have a period of validity that corresponds to the number of years of the next study programme in which you will enrol.

For example, if you have just finished an undergraduate degree (licence) in France and you have applied for a new residence permit to continue your studies at postgraduate level (Master), it will be valid for two years.

What are the steps to take to renew your residence permit?

Where?

You should apply to renew your residence permit at the prefecture. You do not need to return to your home country; everything is done in France.

You can apply either at the prefecture of the department where you live or at the prefecture of the department where your institution is located. To find the contact information for the prefecture or submit your application, please visit the website of the French Ministry of the Interior.

Good to know

Some higher education institutions have a specific system in place for welcoming and supporting foreign students called the “guichet unique” (single window), where you can renew your residence permit without going to the prefecture. The list of departments and institutions in question is available online on the website accueil-etrangers.gouv.fr.

When?

Two months before your residence permit expires. Deadlines may vary from one prefecture to the next. Find out in advance and do not wait until the last moment to take the necessary steps.

If you apply to renew your residence permit after it has already expired, you will be required to pay a visa regularisation fee of 180 euros, except in cases of force majeure.

What are the conditions to have your residence permit renewed?

The conditions of having your residence permit renewed are the same as those that apply to a first-time application, namely:

be enrolled in a French institution of higher education;
receive monthly resources of at least 615 euros.

In the case of renewal applications, you will also need to demonstrate the serious nature of your studies in France (attendance, exam results, diplomas obtained, etc.). Repeating a year does not in itself bring into question the serious nature of your studies.

What supporting documents should be included in your renewal application?

You will need to bring the following documents with you to the prefecture:

your passport with your residence permit,
a short birth certificate including the names of your parents (or a full copy of your birth certificate),
a certificate of enrolment for the coming year,
an academic transcript from the previous year;
a document certifying that you have the financial resources necessary to continue your studies in France (i.e. 615 euros per month),
proof of address dated within the last 3 months (e.g. electricity bill or lease),
proof of health insurance (justificatif d’assurance maladie; this is a document issued by your local sickness insurance fund, the Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie, which you can download from your account on ameli.fr),
3 passport-size photographs.

If the Prefecture issues you with an acknowledgment of receipt...

The prefecture may issue you with a provisional residence document: a récépissé, or acknowledgement of receipt. This document certifies that you have applied to renew your residence permit. It allows you to stay in France for 3 to 6 months after your residence permit expires. Not all prefectures issue this document.

If you apply to renew your residence permit because your VSL-TS (visa long séjour valant titre de séjour, long-stay visa valid as a residence permit) will expire (that is, at the end of your first year in France), you will be due to receive your first multi-annual residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle). The acknowledgement of receipt (récépissé) that the prefecture may issue will be valid for a duration of four to six months. This duration corresponds to the time necessary to review your case and issue your new residence permit. This acknowledgement of receipt of the first application for a multi-annual residence permit does not allow you to travel outside of France.
If you apply to renew your residence permit because your multi-annual residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) will expire (that is, after several years spent in France), you will be due to receive a new multi-annual residence permit. The acknowledgement of receipt (récépissé) that the prefecture may issue will be valid for a duration of three months. In such cases, the acknowledgement of receipt allows you to freely travel outside of France and return without having to apply for another visa.

In any case, if you submit a renewal application on time, that is two months before your residence permit expires, it is possible that the prefecture does not issue you with an acknowledgement of receipt (récépissé) as it will not be necessary. As long as your VLS-TS visa or multi-annual residence permit is still valid, you are entitled to freely travel outside of France and in the entire world.