I submitted my residence permit renewal application this morning at the police prefecture's Foreign Nationals Reception Center (CRE) in the 17th arrondissement on Rue Truffaut. Here are some practical tips to help you avoid stress and wasted time during your appointment.
Time: Set aside the entire day
My appointment was scheduled for 11:00 AM, but my file was actually processed at 1:30 PM. This is normal and common. Set aside the whole day, bring something to keep you occupied (a book, laptop, phone charger), and don't schedule any other appointments for the afternoon.
Bring a pen
A small detail that can save the day: put a black ink pen in your bag. You'll be required to fill out a two-sided form on-site titled "Délégation à l'immigration — Partie à remplir par l'étranger (à l'encre noire)". Without a pen, you'll have to borrow one from someone in line, which is awkward, and staff won't lend you theirs.
The first field on the form: "Titre de séjour demandé"
The most important line on the form, right below the title. A common mistake: applicants write the administrative code for their permit (CST 1, CST 2, PT…), as it appears on the summons letter.
Do not write the code. Write the full category name. Examples:
- Vie privée et familiale (Spouse of a French national, parent of a French child, personal ties…)
- Salarié (Employee)
- Commerçant (Business owner)
- Étudiant (Student)
- Passeport talent (Talent passport)
The receiving officer won't decode CST2 on their own. Clearly state the nature of your request.
Documents: Original or copy?
The main rule, counterintuitive but confirmed by experience:
Only your passport (and previous residence permit when renewing) needs to be presented as an original.
Everything else — proof of address, civil status documents, pay slips, certificates, K-bis business registration, utility bills, tax notices… — a copy is sufficient.
Practically speaking:
- You can bring all originals just in case (marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, lease agreement…), but the officer will practically not review them nor keep them.
- Every document must be accompanied by a copy that you leave in the file. The prefecture keeps the copy, not the original.
Practical result: Always prepare a copy of everything, including your passport (identity page + visa/entry stamp page) and your expired residence permit. The originals come back home with you.
Two-sided form
The front side is filled out by you (personal information: first name, last name, date and place of birth, nationality, address, marital status, parents, spouse, children).
The back side is filled out by the officer. Do not touch it or pre-fill it; leave it blank.
Summary
- Expect to wait two to three hours after your scheduled appointment time.
- Bring a black ink pen.
- On the form, write the full category name, not the code (CST 2 → "Vie privée et familiale" or the appropriate actual category).
- Originals: Passport + previous residence permit only.
- Copies: Everything else, every time.
- The back side is reserved for administration.
Good luck with your procedures.