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Renewing your residence permit
Sciences Po can advise and guide you through your first request or the renewal of your residence permit.
How and when do I renew my student residence permit?
Your renewal request must be made from your computer, tablet or smartphone 24/7, imperatively between 2 to 4 months before the expiry date of your residence permit (after this period, a renewal request filed after the deadline can be accepted up to 6 months after the validity date but a fee will be applied (PDF in French, 52 Ko)) if you fall into one of the below categories:
- holder of a student VLS TS or VLT TS mobility visa
- other reason but wishing to obtain a student residence permit
- holder of a student residence permit
Algerian nationals holding a residence permit must apply for renewal 2 to 4 months before the expiry date.
Please note
- You will have access to the status of your application through the ANEF online portal.
- You will be informed by SMS or directly on the ANEF portal of an appointment inviting you to come and collect your definitive residence permit (PDF, 80 ko) at the Prefecture of your place of residence. If you are not contacted within two months, contact the Préfecture via their contact form.
- The Student services department remains available to support and advise you throughout the process.
- The Student support office remains available to support and advise you throughout the process.
For other situations (eg: long-term EU resident card or another APS “autorisation provisoire de séjour”, etc.), contact the prefecture (if you live in Paris, use their contact form, for other cities, please refer to their webpage).
Useful information
- Your French residence permit allows you to travel outside of the Schengen area for a duration of 90 days.
- A receipt « récépissé » for a first residence card request does not allow you to travel outside of France.
- If your residence permit has expired and you are abroad, you will need to apply for a new student visa to re-enter France.
- To travel outside of the Schengen area, please contact the Consulate of the country of destination.
- You can renew your récépissé, change your address or request a duplicate (FR) of your residence permit in the event of loss or theft.
- British nationals: you must follow the procedure open to all other foreign nationals.
Which documents are required?
The necessary documents to submit your request are listed on Service-Public.
You will need to provide all documents relating to your personal information, your address, your current academic and financial situation in electronic format (Pdf, Jpeg, Png).
Our advice
- Renew your residence permit scrupulously following the indicated timeline to avoid additional costs. If you arrived in France with a student visa, the expiration date of your residence permit is indicated on your visa
- Make sure you upload the requested document to the corresponding section on the ANEF platform, adding a French translation if your documents are in another language;
- Take your e-photos in a designated photo booth or at a professional photographer;
- Requests for documents (certificate, diploma, transcripts, etc.) can be made online using this form. Otherwise, you will need to contact your programme secretariat;
- Upload a short explanation letter in PDF format explaining the absence of a required document if needed (for example : your transcript is not yet available). This will enable you to respect the required timeframe (4 and no less than 2 months prior to the expiration of your residence permit). You will be offered the opportunity to upload your documents at a later date.
- Check the validity of your passport, which must go beyond three months after the end of your studies in France;
- Remain in France during the processing of your residence permit renewal application if your visa or residence permit has expired or will expire soon.
Working in France
A student residence permit allows you to work a maximum of 964 hours per year in France (approximately 20 hours / week). It is sometimes possible to request an exemption. To do so, your employer must request a work permit for you.
NB: The hours worked in the context of an internship do not count towards this total number of hours.
Algerian nationals will have to apply for a work permit and, if granted, will be able to work 850 hours a year.
Stay informed (FR) and do not hesitate to contact the Student Services Center for any questions.
After graduation
With your degree certificate or proof of achievement and depending on your situation, you may be eligible to apply for one of the following residence permits as listed below:
- Residence card - Job search/company creation (if your program meets the requirements)
- Temporary residence permit (APS)
- Passport talent
Please check the procedure that applies to you here: “International student: how to work in France after your studies?” (FR)
If you are hired for employment that meets the criteria established by the government, and your student residence permit is still valid, you have the possibility to change your status.
Log on to your personal space on Sciences Po Carrières to learn more about professional opportunities in France.
Loss of passport or residence permit
If your passport or residence permit is lost or stolen, you should report to the nearest police station as soon as possible to make a declaration. Next you must apply for a new passport at your embassy. Following these steps, you can request a duplicate of your residence permit (FR).
Re-entry Visa
The re-entry visa is issued on an exceptional basis, if you are able to prove that you have a residence permit in France. The relevant Prefecture authorizes the deliverance of the visa to return to France in the following circumstances:
- a student has lost their residence permit abroad
- a student has started the renewal procedure before departure but has left France without having collected his or her new residence permit (please refer to France Visas)
Useful links
- ANEF portal: Validation of the Visa VLT-TS and 1st request / renewal of the student resident permit;
- Renewal of a residence permit (non student) (FR);
- Service Public – Official website of the French Administration (FR);
- La Préfecture de police (FR);
- Recherche d’Emploi et Création d’Entreprise (RECE);
- Temporary Resident Permit (“APS");
- Passeport talent;
- Application for naturalisation.
Apply for a Visa and Residence permit
To study in France, you must comply with all French entry and residence requirements
Find out more about applying for a visa and residence permit.
Contact us
Reception on site, without appointment, at 13 rue de l'Université, 1st floor:
- Monday & Wednesday from 9:30am to 12pm and from 1:30pm to 4pm
- Friday from 9:30am to 12pm
Digital reception on Zoom, without appointment at the following times:
- Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30am to 12pm and
from 1:30pm to 4pm