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How long does it take to renew a carte de séjour in France?

Readers share their experiences 

One reader had to pay for a hotel room to get to arrive at the prefecture on time - only to be received late
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We asked readers for feedback on how long it takes to renew a carte de séjour in France. Here they share their experiences, with all confirming that it takes longer than expected for a host of reasons.

It's currently been 4 months for me and my carte de séjour renewal.

L.R, Lot

It took just over 4 months!

I got an extension for my old one as I am going back to the UK. I am trying to get a 5 year one as my wife has an Irish passport.

A.C., Dordogne

Three months first three times then refusal

The visa application wasn’t helped by Covid but it arrived after three months of arguing the toss and providing endless photocopies of all our “relevant documents”.

What amazed me was once we arrived at Marseille airport the customs officials didn’t even look at my visa.

I then renewed it in June 2022 and again in June 2024.

But when I applied for a 10 year extension I was refused (this is currently under review with the Prefecture).

French bureaucracy is beyond a joke especially for someone who is married to a French National

M.H., Lot-et-Garonne

Four weeks then another three week wait.

After completing an online application I was advised that my request had been approved within four weeks.

I was then instructed to wait until the Prefecture contacted me to collect it.

That email came three weeks later.

However, to be sure of arriving at the Préfecture on time I had to drive up the day before and stay in a hotel. My meeting was for 8:30, I was there at 8:20. They finally saw me at 10:07!

V.C., Charente

We applied on April 15, we have a receipt of application but no further progress, our validated visa expired on June 19. I keep requesting an extension on the Anef site and receive a reply telling me to be patient.

L.S. by email

I applied in February to renew my carte de séjour. It was approved on September 20. Six months!

R.H., Pyrénées-Orientales

It has taken me a year to try and renew my visa!

I keep having to apply for a three month extension.

It's a pain as I'm not computer literate so I have to keep paying other people. Then hear nothing.

It seems more and more like we are not wanted here.

A.D, Orne

Have you renewed a carte de séjour? Will you need to do so soon?  Share your experience with other readers at feedback@connexionfrance.com

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