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Home/Guides/Visa Renewal

How to Renew Your Titre de Séjour in France (2026 Guide)

Renewing your titre de séjour is one of the most stressful administrative tasks for expats in France. You must begin the process 2 to 4 months before your current card expires — prefectures will reject late applications. Since 2023, most renewals are handled through the ANEF online portal, though some prefectures still require in-person appointments.

Cost

250 € (tax 200 € + stamp 50 €)

Processing Time

2–4 months

Difficulty

Moderate

Required Documents

  • Valid passport (original + photocopy)

    Required

  • Current visa / titre de séjour

    Required

  • Proof of address (less than 3 months old)

    Required

  • Identity photos (3 recent photos, ICAO standard)

    Required

  • Proof of income

    Required

  • Tax notices (avis d'imposition)

    Required

  • Health insurance certificate

    Optional

  • Birth certificate (translated and apostilled)

    Optional

  • Work contract (contrat de travail)

    Optional

Step-by-Step Process

  1. 1

    Gather required documents

  2. 2

    Book a prefecture appointment

    Official Website
  3. 3

    Submit your application

  4. 4

    Receive your receipt (récépissé)

  5. 5

    Attend biometrics appointment

  6. 6

    Collect your new card

Practical Tips

Start your renewal at least 4 months before expiry. Some prefectures have massive backlogs and the récépissé process can take weeks.

Always keep your récépissé on you — it serves as proof of legal residence while your application is being processed.

Make certified copies (copies certifiées conformes) of every document before submitting originals. Prefectures occasionally lose files.

If your prefecture uses ANEF, upload documents as high-quality PDFs under 5 MB each. Blurry scans are the top reason for dossier rejections.

From May 2026, the total fee is 250 € (200 € tax + 50 € stamp duty), paid via timbre fiscal at timbres.impots.gouv.fr.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I travel while my renewal is being processed?
Your récépissé allows you to stay in France legally, but it does not guarantee re-entry if you leave the Schengen area. Check with your prefecture before traveling.
What happens if my titre de séjour expires before I receive the new one?
As long as you applied before expiry and hold a valid récépissé, you are legally resident. Employers and landlords must accept the récépissé as proof of status.
Do I need to provide a new work contract for renewal?
If you are renewing a salarié (employee) visa, you need your current work contract or recent pay slips. CDI holders generally only need their latest fiches de paie.
How long does the renewal actually take?
Officially 2 to 4 months, but in practice it varies enormously by prefecture. Paris can take 6+ months; smaller cities may process in 6 weeks.

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