I submitted my residence permit renewal application this morning at the Police Prefecture, specifically the Foreign Reception Center (CRE) branch in the 17th arrondissement on Rue Truffaut. Here are a few observations that might help you avoid stress or wasted time during your own appointment.
Timing: Allow plenty of time
My appointment was scheduled for 11:00 AM. My file was actually processed at 1:30 PM. This is normal—it's standard practice. Plan to block out your entire day, bring something to keep yourself occupied (a book, laptop, phone charger), and definitely don't schedule any other commitments afterward.
Bring a pen
A trivial detail that saves lives: bring a black ink pen in your bag. You will absolutely need to fill out a double-sided form on-site titled "Delegation on Immigration — Part to be filled by the foreign national (in black ink)." Without a pen, you'll have to borrow one from someone in line, which is more awkward than it sounds, and officers won't lend you theirs.
The first field on the form: "Requested Residence Permit"
This is the most important line, right under the form title. A common mistake: applicants write the administrative code for their permit (CST 1, CST 2, PT, etc.) because that's what appears on the summons letter.
Do not write the code. Write the category label. Examples:
- Private and family life (spouse of a French citizen, parent of a French child, private ties, etc.)
- Employee
- Business owner (director of a commercial company)
- Student
- Talent passport
The officer receiving your application won't decode internal references like "CST2" without context. Clearly state what you are requesting.
Documents: Copy or original?
Main rule, counter-intuitive but validated by experience:
Only your passport (and your old residence permit if renewing) needs to be presented as an original.
For everything else—proof of address, civil status documents, pay slips, attestations, K-bis extracts, invoices, tax notices, etc.—a photocopy is sufficient.
Practically speaking:
- You can bring all originals just in case (marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, lease agreement, etc.), but in practice, the officer won't look at them or keep them.
- However, each document must be accompanied by a photocopy that you leave with your file. It's the photocopy that stays at the Prefecture, not the original.
Practical consequence: Systematically prepare a photocopy of everything, including your passport (identity page + visa page and entry stamp) and your expired residence permit. The originals go back home with you.
The form is double-sided
The front side is filled out by you (personal information: last name, first names, date and place of birth, nationality, address, family situation, parents, spouse, children).
The back side is filled out by the officer. Do not touch it, do not pre-fill it, leave it blank.
In summary
- Allow 2 to 3 hours of waiting time after your scheduled appointment.
- Bring a black ink pen.
- On the form, write the category of the requested permit in full words, never the code (e.g., CST 2 → "Private and family life" or the actual relevant category).
- Originals: Passport + old residence permit only.
- Photocopies: Everything else, systematically.
- The back of the form is reserved for administration.
Good luck with your process.