Titre de Séjour Renewal: Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about renewing your residence permit in France: when to apply, which documents to prepare, and how to get an appointment.
When should you apply for renewal?
You should apply for renewal 2 to 4 months before your current titre de séjour expires. Do not let it expire, as you may find yourself in an irregular situation. Some prefectures accept applications up to 5 months before expiration.
Required documents
Required documents vary by titre de séjour type, but here are the commonly requested items:
Current titre de séjour (original)
Valid passport (original + copy)
Proof of address less than 6 months old
3 passport photos meeting French standards — find an approved photographer
Proof of income (payslips, tax notice, etc.)
A2 French language certificate (if applying for multi-year title)
How to apply for renewal?
The renewal process depends on your titre de séjour type and your prefecture. There are currently three possible channels:
Online via ANEF (most common)
Most renewals are now done online through ANEF (Administration Numérique pour les Étrangers en France). You submit your file online and receive a deposit certificate immediately. You only visit the prefecture for fingerprinting and title pickup.
Go to ANEFVia Démarches Simplifiées
Some prefectures use the demarches-simplifiees.fr platform for titre categories not yet available on ANEF (employees, business owners, freelancers, etc.). Check your prefecture's website to see if your procedure is covered.
By appointment at the prefecture
For procedures that are not yet digitized, a physical appointment at the prefecture is required. Slots are often fully booked within minutes.
This is where Préfecture Alerte comes in: we monitor booking pages 24/7 and alert you as soon as a slot opens.
Find your prefectureIn all cases, even if your initial application is submitted online, a prefecture appointment will be required to pick up your title. Set up an alert so you don't miss a slot.
Title pickup: collecting your titre de séjour
Once your titre de séjour is ready, you will receive an SMS or email from the prefecture. You then need to book a pickup appointment (remise de titre) to collect it. This appointment is separate from the application filing. Slots can also be hard to get. Set up an alert to avoid missing availability.
On the day of pickup, you will need to present a fiscal stamp (timbre fiscal). The exact amount will be communicated to you by SMS with your pickup notification. You can buy it online or at a tobacco shop.
Buy a fiscal stamp onlineDon't get stuck without an appointment
Thousands of people search for a slot every day. Préfecture Alerte monitors booking websites at high frequency and alerts you instantly when a slot opens.
Create an alertFrequently Asked Questions
How much does titre de séjour renewal cost?
The cost varies by title type. A "salarié" (employee) titre de séjour costs €225 in fiscal stamps. A "vie privée et familiale" (private and family life) title also costs €225. Amounts are set by decree and may change.
What if my title expires before my appointment?
If you filed your application on time, you will receive a récépissé (receipt) authorizing you to stay in France while your application is processed. If you do not have an appointment yet, set up an alert to get one as soon as possible.
Can I renew my titre de séjour at a different prefecture?
In principle, renewal is done at the prefecture of your place of residence. If you have moved, you must apply at your new prefecture of residence.
When must I file my renewal application?
The renewal application must be filed between 4 and 2 months before your titre de séjour or VLS-TS (long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit) expires. This deadline is set by article R 431-5 of the French Code on the Entry and Stay of Foreigners and the Right of Asylum (CESEDA). Filing must be done online via the ANEF portal: https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr. Late filing triggers a statutory €180 penalty and may result in loss of residence rights.
How does the récépissé work during processing?
If you filed your renewal on time, the administration issues a récépissé (receipt) that extends your legal stay until the final decision. The récépissé allows you to work (if your initial permit did), to travel under certain conditions, and to receive your social benefits. Its duration varies by prefecture (typically 3 to 6 months, renewable). Official source: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2213
What documents should I prepare for the ANEF renewal?
The list varies by title type, but generally includes: valid passport, current titre de séjour, proof of address less than 6 months old, identity photo meeting ANTS standards, and documents specific to your residency basis (employment contract, school enrolment, family record book, etc.). For private and family life permits, proof of community of life is required. The exhaustive list per title type is available at https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr and on your prefecture's website.
What happens if my renewal application is refused?
If renewal is refused, you receive an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF). You have 30 days to challenge this decision before the administrative court (article L 614-5 of the CESEDA). The appeal is free and can be filed without a lawyer, although professional support is strongly recommended. La Cimade (https://www.lacimade.org) and GISTI (https://www.gisti.org) provide free legal clinics across France.