Renewing Your Residence Permit or Changing Your Status in France
Renewing Your Residence Permit in France
Expatriates: Do you live in France and is your residence permit about to expire?
Would you like to renew it in order to obtain the same type of residence permit, ideally for a longer period?
Has your personal or professional situation changed, and would you like to change the type of residence permit you hold?
Issue: Protecting Your Life in France
Although these procedures may seem purely administrative, they affect your right to live, work, and build a life in France. A mistake, an oversight, or an inadequately prepared application can result in a denial, a loss of rights, or even a requirement to leave French territory.
Renewal is never automatic. The authorities review your situation at each renewal date: your financial resources, housing, employment status, and compliance with the conditions attached to your status. An incomplete application or one submitted too late can jeopardize your right to reside in France, even after several years of lawful residence in the country.
Before submitting your application for a residence permit, it is important to:
- verify that you still meet the requirements for obtaining this certification;
- check whether another type of residence permit is more suitable for your situation;
- and check whether you are eligible for a multi-year card or a 10-year resident card.
Change the type of residence permit
A student who has become an entrepreneur or an employee, someone who has changed jobs, the spouse of a French citizen, a parent of a French child…
Your life changes, and sometimes your residence permit needs to change along with it. A change in status is not just a formality: it requires you to demonstrate that you meet the requirements for the new status you are requesting.
The prefecture is stricter when processing changes in status than when processing renewal applications. It is important to prepare your application carefully to avoid a denial and a great deal of stress.
Resident Card and/or Multi-Year Card: Getting the Best Type of Residence Permit for Your Situation
Before submitting your application online (via the ANEF website or Démarches simplifiées in most cases), it is important to verify that you meet the requirements to obtain a multi-year card (two to four years) or a resident card (ten years).
In fact, since the prefecture has a heavy workload, it processes your application as quickly as possible. If you have not specifically requested that such a card be issued, it is likely that the prefecture will not issue it to you, even if you meet all the requirements for obtaining it.
Obtaining these longer-term residence permits makes it easier for you to become a French citizen in the long run.
Requirements for Obtaining a Multi-Year Card (Valid for Two to Four Years)
After your first year of lawful residence in France (under a long-stay visa or a temporary residence permit), you may apply for a multi-year residence permit valid for two to four years on the same grounds.
This card, which offers greater protection, allows you to avoid having to apply for renewal of your residence permit every year or every two years, depending on your circumstances.
- Continue to meet the eligibility requirements for your previous card;
- Provide proof of legal residence for one year during the previous year;
- Demonstrate your commitment and dedication in participating in the training programs mandated by the government as part of the Republican Integration Contract (CIR) and the commitment to uphold the principles of the Republic;
- Have achieved the required score on the civic exam for the multi-year residence permit (CSP), with a minimum score of 32 out of 40. The exam consists of 28 questions and 12 scenario-based exercises.
- Demonstrate an A2 level of French (basic written and spoken proficiency);
- and demonstrate that they have stable and sufficient financial resources.
Requirements for Obtaining a Resident Card (10-Year Card)
The resident card is the longest-term residence permit you can obtain in France.
It is automatically renewable, provided that the individual does not pose a serious threat to public order.
- Provide proof of lawful and uninterrupted residence in France. In most cases, you must have resided in France for at least five years. There are several exceptions (spouse of a French citizen, parents of a French child, etc.). If there has been a temporary interruption in your residence in France (for example, if you worked abroad for a few months), I recommend that you consult an attorney to file your application.
- Provide proof of a B1 level of proficiency in French (intermediate level) (unless you are over 65 years old or have a medical certificate stating that you are unable to take the French language test);
- Demonstrate your commitment to the Republic: sign a pledge to uphold the principles of the Republic, pass a civics exam, and obtain the Republican Integration Contract (CIR);
- Demonstrate that you have stable and sufficient financial resources;
- and not pose a threat to public order.
Even when you meet the requirements, it is not granted automatically; you often have to apply for it explicitly in order to receive it.
Procedure for Obtaining a Multi-Year Card or a Resident Card
When your card expires, it is important to:
- Gather all the required documents before submitting your application;
- to expressly request that the prefecture issue this card;
- and, alternatively, request the renewal of your current residence permit.
As an attorney, I will include a letter from my law firm explicitly requesting the issuance of this card. I will cite all the legal provisions applicable to your application and demonstrate that you meet all the requirements for obtaining it, in order to significantly increase the chances that the prefecture will issue this card to you.
When should you submit your application?
General rule: You must submit your application to renew your residence permit four to two months before your current residence permit expires.
Do not wait until your current residence permit expires to apply for a renewal.
In France, you can submit your renewal application up to four months before your residence permit expires.
You must submit your application no later than two months before your residence permit expires.
To avoid finding yourself in an emergency situation, I recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.
Processing Times
Processing times vary by prefecture. An application for renewal or a change of status filed within the statutory time limits is generally processed within six months on average.
Processing times almost always exceed the validity period of your current residence permit. Before your residence permit expires, the prefecture will issue you a “certificate of extension” or a “receipt” to authorize you to remain in France and protect your rights (particularly regarding employment) while the prefecture prepares your new residence permit.
Common Situations
- "I meet all the requirements to get a multi-year card or a resident card, but I don't know how to get one. It's not explained on the prefecture's website."
- "I meet all the requirements except the one regarding the Republican Integration Contract (CIR). I have never been contacted by the French authorities about obtaining it. What should I do?"
- “I just started my own business. What type of residence permit should I apply for?”
- “I’m an employee and I’d like to start my own business in France while continuing to work as an employee. Is that possible?”
- “I just entered into a civil partnership. Can I apply for a different type of residence permit?”
- “I would like to obtain a residence permit as an employee, but my employer is unable to obtain the work permit required for me to get this residence permit.”
- “I just finished my studies and haven’t found a job yet. What type of residence permit should I apply for?”
- “I just changed jobs, and my salary has increased. What type of residence permit should I apply for?”
You are not alone, and it is important to get reliable answers to these questions before submitting your application.
In fact, the list of required documents varies depending on the type of residence permit you are applying for.
Why Should You Hire a Lawyer?
Immigration law is a technical and ever-changing field, and it is often interpreted differently from one prefecture to another.
Getting guidance early on allows you to:
I'd like to offer you a free 15-minute consultation to determine the best strategy for your situation before you submit your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will happen if I submit my renewal application too late—that is, after the two-month deadline prior to the expiration of my current residence permit?
The main risk is that you may not obtain a temporary extension of your residence permit before your current one expires. In that case, you could lose the right to reside legally in France (depending on your nationality) and/or lose the right to work or run your business in France. It is important to consult an attorney to avoid this situation as much as possible and to act quickly if it does occur.
I'm returning to my home country temporarily. Can I apply for a new visa, or is it better to submit my application in France?
Processing times are generally shorter if you submit your application from your home country. Please note that certain types of residence permits can only be applied for in France. If you wish to obtain French citizenship in the long term, it is generally more advantageous to renew your residence permit directly in France.
I would like to apply for a resident card or a multi-year card, but I haven't received my Republican Integration Contract (CIR) yet. What should I do?
It depends on your situation. The most important thing is generally to submit your application within the legal deadline, which is two months before your residence permit expires. In some cases, you may be able to submit this document later in the process.
I'm torn between two types of residence permits—how do I know which one is right for me?
To avoid making a mistake, it is important to consult an attorney before filing your application.
Every situation is different. Let's talk about yours.
