Applying for a Residence Permit
In France, international students and researchers must apply for a residence permit if they wish to continue their studies or research beyond the validity of their visa. This step is essential to ensure your legal stay and to benefit from all the rights linked to student and professional life.
Welcome Desk Paris supports students and researchers in this first residence permit application process.
On this page, you’ll find clear and practical guides, adapted to each situation, to understand the procedures, prepare your documents, and plan your steps in advance.
FIRST STUDENT RESIDENCE PERMIT APPLICATION
If you are a student and your visa is expiring (and does not allow you to stay in France for more than one year), you must apply for a first residence permit within 3 months of your arrival (or within 2 months after your 18th birthday if you held a “minor student” visa).
📝 Steps to apply for a residence permit
1. Check if this applies to you
- You are an Algerian national with a long-stay “student” visa.
- You hold a long-stay “étudiant – mobilité” visa.
- You have a “étudiant concours” visa and have passed the exam.
- You had a “mineur scolarisé” visa (once you turn 18)
2. Submit your complete application:
- On the ANEF platform (for long-stay “student” or “mobility” visas).
- Directly at the prefecture of your place of residence (for “concours” or “minor student” visas).
In this case, you must contact the dedicated service through the online contact form, clearly indicating your visa type, to request an appointment for your first “student” residence permit application.
3. Prepare the required documents:
- Passport + visa
- Proof of residence less than 6 months old
- Approved ANTS e-photo
- School certificate (official enrollment, not pre-enrollment)
- Proof of financial resources (minimum €615/month): scholarship certificate, payslip, etc.
- Commitment contract to respect the principles of the French Republic (new in 2024)
4. After submission:
- You will receive confirmation of your application submission.
- The prefecture may request additional documents → reply within the given deadline.
- A "attestation de décision favorable" will be issued before your card is produced.
- ou will be notified by SMS when the card is ready. Collect it at the prefecture with your passport and a €75 tax stamp (purchased online).
💡 Tip: If you haven’t received an SMS within 2 months after obtaining the favorable decision certificate, you can contact the prefecture to check if your residence permit is ready and/or book an appointment to collect it.
⚠️ Don’t forget: You must collect your card before it expires in order to apply for renewal.
FIRST RESIDENCE PERMIT APPLICATION “TALENT-CHERCHEUR”
If you arrive in France with a long-stay “talent-researcher” visa (PT4 VLS) valid for 3 months, you must apply for your residence permit within 2 months of your arrival. The validity of the card corresponds to the duration of your hosting agreement.
📝 Steps to apply for a residence permit
1. Submit your application
- The application is made online on the ANEF website.
- Your file will be processed by the prefecture of your place of residence.
- Submit your application as soon as you arrive—do not wait until the deadline.
2. Prepare the required documents
- Passport + “talent-researcher” visa
- Proof of residence less than 6 months old
- Approved ANTS e-photo
- Convention d’accueil (cerfa n°16079*03).
- Degree (at least a Master’s)
- Commitment contract to respect the principles of the French Republic
💡 Tip: The prefecture may request additional documents → reply quickly to avoid rejection.
3. After submission
- You will receive a "confirmation de dépôt".
- While your application is being processed, you may be issued a "attestation de prolongation d'instruction".
→ This allows you to work (with your hosting agreement), but it does not allow you to re-enter France after leaving. - Once approved, you will receive a "attestation de décision favorable" indicating the validity of the card.
- You will be notified by SMS when your card is ready → collect it at the prefecture with your passport and a €225 tax stamp (purchased online).
⚠️ Important: The card must be collected before it expires in order to be renewed.
APPLICATION FOR AN ALGERIAN SCIENTIFIC RESIDENCE CERTIFICATE
Algerian researchers holding a long-stay “scientifique-chercheur” visa must apply for a "certificat de résidence scientifique" within 2 months of their arrival in France. The validity of the permit corresponds to the duration of the hosting agreement.
📝 Main steps
1. Submit your application
- In Paris (75), the application is made online via Démarches simplifiées.
- An appointment at the prefecture will then be scheduled to present the originals and receive a récépissé.
2. Prepare the required documents
- Passport + “scientific-researcher” visa
- Full birth certificate
- Proof of residence less than 6 months old
- 3 ID photos
- Convention d’accueil (cerfa n°16079*03).
- Degree equivalent to at least a Master’s
- (If applicable) family documents (marriage, children)
💡 The “commitment contract to respect the principles of the French Republic” is not required for Algerian nationals.
3. After submission
- The récépissé issued by the prefecture, together with the hosting agreement, allows you to work as soon as you arrive.
- ⚠️ Note: For a first application, the receipt does not allow you to return to France once your visa has expired if you leave the country.
- You will be notified by SMS when your card is ready → collect it at the prefecture with your passport.
ℹ️ Good to know
- Algerian nationals are exempt from the tax for their first application.
- Always check that the mention “authorizes the holder to work” is written on the receipt.
