Wrong ANEF Category Selected for Renewal — What Now?

Selecting the wrong renewal category on ANEF can lead to automatic rejection or processing delays. The system does not correct category errors for you. In many cases, the application must be withdrawn and resubmitted correctly.

Why Category Errors Matter

Each renewal category has:

Different eligibility rules
Different document requirements
Different income thresholds
Different supporting evidence

If your uploaded documents do not match the selected category, the file may be rejected even if you qualify under another status.

Common Category Mistakes

Selecting salarié instead of vie privée et familiale
Choosing “first application” instead of renewal
Selecting the wrong professional status
Changing category without meeting legal conditions
Applying under a category that does not match your previous titre

ANEF does not automatically “re-route” your file.

How to Check If You Made an Error

Review:

The exact wording on your current carte de séjour
The category selected in your ANEF dashboard
The list of required documents shown during submission

If these do not align, you may have selected incorrectly.

Can You Fix It Without Withdrawing?

Sometimes, if the prefecture has not yet begun review, minor errors can be clarified through a document request.

However:

If the category is fundamentally incorrect
Or if documents do not match the category

You may need to withdraw and reapply correctly.

Risks of Ignoring the Error

Automatic rejection
Expiry complications
Loss of processing time
Increased scrutiny on resubmission

Delaying correction makes the situation harder.

What To Do Now

Confirm your current status category.
Compare it with your ANEF selection.
Check whether supporting documents match category rules.
If uncertain, assess whether withdrawal and clean resubmission is safer.

Preventing This Mistake

Before submitting renewal applications:

Confirm your legal status wording
Match document list to category
Review eligibility conditions carefully

Category alignment is one of the most common rejection triggers.

If you want a structured renewal walkthrough that explains category selection, document matching, and resubmission strategy, the full process is laid out step-by-step in the Visa & Residency Renewal Pack