Applying for your first carte de séjour

Timing

Request your card on the ANEF portal between 4 months and 2 months before your visa or card expires — for a one-year VLS-TS that is roughly months 8 to 10 after arrival. Start gathering documents earlier, because some (translations, proof of income) take weeks.

Fees (updated 1 May 2026)

• First card issued: 300 EUR (reduced rate 100 EUR for students, au pairs, seasonal workers and family reunification)
• Droit de timbre on issue, renewal or replacement: 50 EUR
• Renewal tax: 200 EUR (50 EUR reduced rate)
• Temporary authorisation to stay (APS): 100 EUR
• Late renewal penalty: 180 EUR

Language requirement (since 1 January 2026)

A first multi-year card now requires French at A2 level, the ten-year carte de résident requires B1, and naturalisation requires B2. A civic knowledge exam is also required.

Typical documents

Receipt (attestation)

Once your file is accepted you receive an attestation de prolongation, which keeps you legal while the prefecture processes the card. Keep a copy on your phone.

Requirements vary by prefecture and status - confirm locally.