France guide
How to Renew a French Visitor Residence Card
France’s temporary “visitor” residence card is generally for eligible non-EU nationals who live in France without working. Renewal is completed online and requires continued evidence of resources, health coverage, accommodation, and the commitment not to work in France.
Quick answers
- Authority
- Prefecture via ANEF
- Renewal window
- Between 4 and 2 months before expiry
- Published renewal cost
- €250 in fiscal stamps
- Card validity
- 1 year; renewable
- Work authorization
- The visitor card does not authorize work in France
What this guide covers
This guide covers renewal of the carte de séjour temporaire “visiteur.” It does not cover employee, entrepreneur, student, family, talent-passport, EU/EEA/Swiss, or Algerian residence documents.
Confirm the card category
The visitor card is a specific category. Service-Public distinguishes EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, Algerian citizens, and other applicants, and it requires the holder not to work in France. If the person’s activity or family situation changed, the correct procedure may be a change of status rather than a visitor-card renewal.
Renewal window
Service-Public says to submit the online renewal at the earliest four months and at the latest two months before the current visa or residence document expires. Filing late can result in an additional regularization-visa charge unless an exception applies.
Documents to prepare
- Current long-stay visa or residence document
- Passport identity, validity, visa, and entry-stamp pages or other accepted nationality evidence
- Civil-status evidence if still required for the file
- Proof of address dated within six months
- Evidence of sufficient resources and guarantor documents when applicable
- Handwritten declaration that the applicant will not work in France
- Health-insurance certificate covering the stay
- Digital photo code and required Republic-principles undertaking
- Medical certificate when applicable and fiscal-stamp evidence at card collection
Renewal steps
- 1Confirm the document is a visitor card and calculate the four-to-two-month filing window.
- 2Collect fresh address, resources, insurance, passport, and category-specific evidence.
- 3Submit the renewal online through ANEF.
- 4Save the digital filing certificate immediately.
- 5Monitor the ANEF account and respond to requests from the prefecture.
- 6If approved, follow the prefecture’s collection instructions and obtain the fiscal stamps.
- 7Check the new card and record its issue and expiration dates.
Cost and decision
Service-Public currently publishes a €250 renewal cost paid by fiscal stamps. It also says a late application can add a €180 regularization-visa charge unless an exception applies. Recheck the official page before purchasing stamps.
The prefecture makes the decision. Service-Public explains that no response after four months is treated as an implicit refusal and describes the possible administrative and court remedies. Obtain qualified advice promptly if a refusal or no-response issue arises.
What to track in Expat Crow
- Visitor card and expiration date
- Four-month and two-month filing reminders
- Passport, address evidence, insurance, and resources
- ANEF application and digital filing certificate
- Prefecture requests and response deadlines
- Fiscal-stamp purchase and card-collection appointment
- New card issue and expiration dates
Track this in Expat Crow
Keep the permit, supporting documents, application steps, and renewal dates together. Start free and create reminders before the next deadline.
Frequently asked questions
When should I renew a French visitor residence card?
Service-Public says the online renewal should be filed between four months and two months before the current document expires.
Can I work in France with a visitor residence card?
No. The visitor category requires the holder not to work in France. A changed activity may require a different status and professional guidance.
How much does renewal cost?
Service-Public currently lists €250 in fiscal stamps for renewal and describes a possible additional €180 charge for late filing. Verify the amount before payment.
Where is the application filed?
The renewal is submitted online through France’s Administration numérique pour les étrangers en France (ANEF).
Official sources
These sources were checked on 2026-08-25. Requirements can change; confirm them with the authority before acting.