French residence permit processing time: first application and renewal
Updated 19 October 2026
There is no single processing time
It depends on the type of permit (employee, student, private and family life, resident card…), whether it is a first application or a renewal, and above all on the prefecture handling your file. Differences between prefectures can be several months.
Usual steps
- Application, usually online on ANEF. You immediately get a filing certificate, which on its own does not prove lawful residence.
- Extension certificate (attestation de prolongation d’instruction) if the complete file was filed on time: it covers your stay while the file is examined. See our guide on the extension certificate.
- Fingerprints and photo, for some permits.
- Prefecture decision.
- Card ready notification.
- Card collection at the prefecture or sub-prefecture.
On Dossiermap we measure application → decision and application → card collection.
What does prefecture silence mean?
In principle, if the prefecture does not answer for more than four months, the application is implicitly rejected. In practice many files exceed this without any intention to refuse. If this is your case, ask an association or a lawyer about remedies: deadlines to act are short.
Renewal: file in the right window
For most permits requested on ANEF, the renewal must be filed between the 120th and the 60th day before your current permit expires. Late filing can be treated as a first application, with a €180 regularisation fee. Details in our guide on residence permit renewal.
Compare prefectures
The residence permit map shows, prefecture by prefecture, median times shared by applicants once there are enough cases, and meanwhile the number of Services Publics+ reviews.
Sources
- Service-Public: certificate of application for a residence card (ANEF)
- CESEDA, articles R. 431-5, R. 431-15-1 and R. 432-2
This guide is for information only and does not replace official texts or legal advice. Check your situation on service-public.gouv.fr or with your prefecture.
Something wrong or out of date? Let us know