Welcome Desk Paris 2024 information sheets : Visa/Residence card

The VLS TS visa validation (whatever the mention) must be completed within two months after the arrival in France. Don’t wait!

La première demande de carte de séjour doit se faire le plus tôt possible, et avant la date d’expiration du visa long séjour (pour les étudiants mineurs scolarisés, dans les deux mois qui suivent la majorité).
The first application for a residence card must be made as soon as possible, and before the expiry date of the long-stay visa (for students who are under 18 years of age, within two months after reaching 18 years old).

Any application for a residence permit (renewal or change of status) filed on the ANEF website https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr less than 2 months (60 days) before the expiry of this permit (or VLS TS) will be subject to a late fee of € 180, in addition to the regular tax ! 

If you submit your application without respecting the deadlines, you expose yourself to an interruption of your rights to stay, work, or benefit from social rights (housing aid from CAF for example) and or cross the Schengen borders.

To avoid paying a late fee, you must file your renewal application between 4 and 2 months (which means between 120 and 60 days) before the expiry date of your residence permit or validated VLS TS. The application filed after the date of expiry of the title shall remain admissible until 6 months after the date of expiry of the residence permit, but the late fee shall be applied.

If a document is missing at the time of filing your application (for example, if you do not have your last transcripts or your certificate of schooling), you must still submit your application file and replace the missing document with a brief letter explaining the situation (for example: “My registration will only take place in September and I do not have a school certificate yet”).

You will be asked to complete your application later, when your case is processed by a court officer in your local prefecture.

Beware : please answer any request for a supplementary document within the time limit (usually 30 days), otherwise your request will be closed. If you still do not have the requested document, reply with a brief letter, if possible specifying when you will get this document, preferably with supporting information.

A request for the renewal of the residence card or VLS TS remains possible and the system will let you apply on line up to 6 months after the end of validity date, but the late fee will be applied.