Who Needs to Renew a Carte de Séjour?

If you are a non-EU citizen living in France long-term, you likely hold one of the following residence permits:

• VLS-TS (validated after arrival)

• Temporary residence permit (1 year)

• Multi-year residence permit

• Talent Passport

• Private and Family Life card

• Student card

• Visitor permit

• Profession Libérale permit

All of these require renewal before expiration, except certain 10-year resident cards.

When Should You Start the Renewal?

The rule is simple:
Start your renewal request 2 to 4 months before your card expires.

Waiting too long can result in:

• Gaps in legal residency

• Loss of access to healthcare reimbursement

• Problems re-entering France after travel

• Administrative fines

Step-by-Step Renewal Process

Step 1 — Create / Log into Your ANEF Account

All renewals for most residence permits now happen on the official website:

👉 https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr

This is called ANEF.

You’ll need:

• Your email

• Your mobile number

• Your passport number

If you’ve used the system before, log in with the same account.

Step 2 — Choose “Je Renouvelle Mon Titre de Séjour”

Once logged in:

1. Go to Mes Titres de Séjour

2. Select Renouveler

3. Choose the type of residence card you currently hold

The system will load the list of required documents — it varies depending on your status (student, talent passport, visitor, etc.).

Step 3 — Prepare Required Documents (Digital Scans)

While prefectures vary, the core documents are usually:

✔️ Required for all renewals

• Passport (ID page + any visa pages)

• Current carte de séjour (front + back)

• Proof of address (less than 6 months old):

  • Utility bill

  • Rental contract

  • Attestation d’hébergement + host’s ID + host’s proof of residence

• 2× recent ID photos (digital format accepted)

✔️ Additional documents, depending on your permit:

Visitor (Visiteur)

• Proof of financial resources (bank statements, pension, savings)

• Proof of private health insurance

Student (Étudiant)

• Proof of enrollment for the coming year

• Transcript or proof of attending classes

• Proof of financial resources

Profession Libérale / Entrepreneur

• Proof of business activity:

  • Invoices

  • SIRET

  • URSSAF declarations

• Proof of income

• Business plan or contracts (sometimes requested)

Talent Passport

• Employment contract or Project documentation

• Pay slips or income proof

Family / Private Life

• Marriage certificate

• Birth certificates for children

• Proof of living together

Tip: Upload all documents as clear PDFs. Blurry photos often get rejected.

Step 4 — Submit the Application and Pay Fees

ANEF will ask you to sign the digital application and submit.

Fees vary depending on your permit:

• Most renewals cost €225–€269

• Student renewals: around €75

• Visitor renewals: around €225

Payment is usually done later, when collecting the final card.

Step 5 — You Receive a “Récépissé” (Temporary Permit)

Once your renewal is submitted and accepted by the prefecture, you’ll receive a “récépissé” — a temporary document proving your legal stay.

It allows you to:

• Continue living in France legally

• Travel within the Schengen area

• Work (if your previous permit allowed it)

You must print this and carry it with your passport.

Step 6 — Prefecture Appointment (Sometimes Required)

Not all prefectures require an in-person meeting.

You may be asked to come for:

• Fingerprints (if it’s your first multi-year card)

• Additional verification

• Document updates

Bring:

• Passport

• Old carte de séjour

• Printed application

• Original documents

Step 7 — Pick Up Your New Carte de Séjour

Once approved, you’ll get a notification through ANEF.

You may need to:

• Pay the tax stamp fee

• Bring your récépissé

• Bring your passport

Your new card is usually valid for 1 to 4 years, depending on the category.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Waiting too long to start the renewal
🚫 Uploading unclear or incomplete documents
🚫 Using a different email than last year (causes ANEF duplicate accounts)
🚫 Not proving sufficient income
🚫 Not having insurance (visitor, student, pensioner visas)
🚫 Moving apartments but not updating the online address

These mistakes can result in:

• Delays

• Requests for more documents

• Full refusals

FAQs

Can I travel during renewal?

Yes — with your récépissé and passport.

What if my card expires while I’m waiting?

The récépissé extends your rights until a decision is made.

Can my renewal be denied?

Yes — usually due to lack of income, missing documents, or issues with legal status.

Conclusion

Renewing your carte de séjour doesn’t have to be stressful. As long as you start early, upload clear documents, and follow the steps on ANEF, you’ll maintain your legal residency without interruption.

If you want help organising everything, FranceForms provides a complete toolkit:

Carte de Séjour Renewal Pack

Get all the templates you need — in English and French — including:

• Required documents checklist

• Prefecture appointment checklist

• English guide to ANEF screens

• Income proof templates

• Attestation templates

• Photo + PDF formatting guide

Download the Carte de Séjour Renewal Pack