Your Path to Living in France

Timing and general rules

• Start early: commonly between 4 and 2 months before expiry; students are often advised around 3 months ahead.
• Late filing can trigger surcharges and risk interrupting rights.
• After filing you usually receive an acknowledgement/receipt allowing you to remain — and often keep working under the previous card conditions — until a decision.
• Some profiles still go through the préfecture depending on category/local rules; follow ANEF or your préfecture instructions.
• Important: change of status (e.g. étudiant → salarié) is not a simple renewal and may need a separate work-authorisation path.

Common documents

• Valid passport + current card / VLS-TS
• Recent address proof (often under 3–6 months): bill, lease or attestation d'hébergement
• Photos when requested
• Fiscal stamp / renewal fee (confirm the current amount on Service-Public / ANEF)

1) Work renewal (salarié / temporaire / Talent)

• Valid employment contract + recent payslips
• Work authorisation when required for your mention
• ID and address proof
• Talent / Carte bleue: contract, qualifications and salary threshold for the category

2) Student renewal (étudiant)

• Current enrolment in a French higher-education institution
• Proof of serious studies (attendance, exam results, diplomas)
• Sufficient monthly means (thresholds updated by decree; from Aug 2026 guidance often refers to about 47% of gross SMIC — confirm the figure for your date)
• Health cover / Ameli when relevant + address proof

3) Family renewal (vie privée et familiale / regroupement)

• Most private-and-family-life categories via ANEF
• Ongoing family life proof (shared housing, civil status…)
• Sponsor / French spouse documents according to the legal basis
• Integration/language requirements may apply under recent reforms — check Service-Public for your profile

4) Long residence / carte de résident

• Long-term / EU long-stay cards via ANEF depending on category
• Continuity of residence and integration evidence when required
• ID, address proof and fees

ANEF steps

1. Create/log into your ANEF account.
2. Select the renewal matching your card mention.
3. Upload documents and pay the required fee.
4. Download and keep the récépissé for stay/work proof.
5. Follow the request until card collection or a préfecture visit if asked.

Official links

• ANEF — apply / renew residence cards
• Service-Public — access ANEF
• Service-Public — private and family life
• Campus France — student renewal
• Interior — digital administration for foreigners

How EOB helps

• Identify the correct card mention and ANEF path
• Review student means / employment / family evidence
• Prepare uploads, fees and récépissé follow-up
• Separate renewals from change-of-status cases