A few frequently asked questions about appointments with French prefectures. After Covid, most prefectures have stopped allowing walk-ins and so the public must take an appointment before visiting a local prefecture.
1. Documents to be presented for collecting the resident permit card?
You will need to present the following documents at the counter,
- Your original passport. In other cases, a proof of identity (travel document, consular card, driving license, etc.).
- Your récépissé or favorable decision attestation.
- Your previous residence permit card or, except when it is a first resident permit application or a request for a duplicate resident permit.
- A copy of the police complaint, if the previous resident permit was stolen or lost.
- A tax stamp “timbre fiscal” of the amount indicated on the SMS or email. The QR code can be presented using your mobile phone.
- Copy of the RDV confirmation email or SMS. It can be shown from your smartphone too.
2. Can I take multiple appointments for the same person?
- No, the service systematically removes all duplicate appointments. So, you should cancel the exisitng appointment, before looking for a new one.
- If the type of the appointment is not the one that should have been made (example appointment made for collecting the resident permit, instead of its renewal), you will not be received at the counter. So, you need to take another appointment.
Common types of resident permit appointments:
- Premières demandes or First application
- Demandes de Renouvellement or Renewal application
- Remise de titre (Titre de séjour et titre de voyage) or Collecting the Resident Permit
Reminder: Your application must be complete with all the supporting documents.
3. What should I do when I can’t find an appointment?
“Il n’existe plus de plage horaire de libre pour votre demande de RDV. Veuillez recommencer ultérieurement”.
- This message means that all the available appointment slots in the planning are taken.
- Appointments are updated several times in a week, depending on the reception capacity. So, the prefecture’s website should be consulted at least 4-5 times everyday.
- There is no point in writing to the prefecture about the non-availability of appointments.
- If you have booked an appointment and you cannot go, it is mandatory that you cancel your appointment online and request a new one. Without its cancellation, the appointment cannot be reassigned to another user.
4. Can I ask a friend to collect the resident permit on my behalf?
- No power of attorney is possible. The presence of the applicant concerned by the application for a residence permit is mandatory. It is required for multiple reasons, including taking of fingerprints, and even obligation for the delivery of the document.
- If there is a genuine medical issue, you can write to your prefecture along with a copy of a medical certificate. The prefecture may or may not consider your request.
5. Can a couple make use of the same appointment?
- The French resident permit procedures are individual. So, you must take 2 separate appointments.
- As these are on first come first served basis, try to search for appointments as soon as possible. So, you can have both the appointments on the same day or even next to each other.
Hello
I am currently a student applying for my APS visa as an Indian. I was wondering if I can submit applications from 2 different prefecture. To fasten the process.
Hello Anirudh,
No, a person cannot submit 2 resident permit applications simultaneously. Neither online nor offline.
Hello,
Thank you for the information. I would like to book an appointment to collect my second APS after the expiry of the first one. I’m in Nanterre prefecture and I searched the website for a RDV booking option. I couldn’t find one. Can you please guide me on how I can book an appointment with Nanterre prefecture?
Hello,
I have listed the website link for Nanterre prefecture too in this article.
Hello i got my salary first resident appointment in cergy prefecture in 3 February 2026. i applied in 2023 November and received the letter of appointment in
April 2024. Is there any possibilities to get the prior date i.e. this year 2025. please advice.
Hello Selvaganesan,
Keep this RDV & try to check with your Prefecture for an earlier one.
FYI https://prasanthragupathy.com/2023/08/how-to-contact-the-prefecture-in-your-city/
have a question, is appointment made online for privee familial premiere demande de carte de sejour, or prefecture gives us appointment?? I AM CONFUSED??, like i have to submit documents and then prefecture give me appointment for recipisse or i have to take appointment online first?? PLEASE GUIDE ME???
Hello Muhammad,
VPF application is submitted directly with the Prefecture. Each Prefecture has its own procedure. So, you should check the website of your local Prefecture.
Cheers,
Prasanth
I applied for job search visa in the Nantere prefecture website. There was one option
1. UNE CARTE SEJOUR TEMPORAIRE “RECHERCHE D’EMPLOI OU CREATION D’ENTREPRISE
2. UNE AUTORISATION PROVISOIRE DE SEJOUR EN APPLICATION D’UN ACCORD BILATERAL ENTRE VOTRE PAYS ET LA FRANCE
I choose the first one and submitted the application. And later got information that my course is eligible for APS.
Now what should I do. Submit another application choosing the second option (APS) Or should I wait for the prefecture to close my application and apply again. For me, the problem is they take nearly 2 months even for rejection.
Could you please give your suggestions!!
Hello Tamil,
I have explained everything about APS Master, including its difference with CdS RECE in https://prasanthragupathy.com/2024/01/aps-french-job-search-or-business-creation-resident-permit/
1. CdS RECE: Not applicable for Indians.
2. APS Master: Applicable for Indians.
For Nanterre, Did you apply here? https://www.demarches-simplifiees.fr/commencer/demande-aps-titre-recherche-d-emploi-ou-creation-d-entreprise
Cheers,
Prasanth
Yes. The same link.
I’ve tried to contact the prefecture but no response. So, Is it okay to submit one more application or wait to close this application?
Hello Prasanth Next year 2026 3rd February i got my first salaried resident permit appointment in cergy prefecture. Since 2019 i am working in france as office responsible in a whole sale private company in fmcg. i have a french comparability cerficate in my commerce degree. i have more than 25 years experience in this field in tamilnadu and 6 years in france. i have a plan to go to india for two months after receiving my resident card. After returning to france can i switch over to other job. Because there are lot of oppurtunity for me in various mnc companies. Only problem is they are asking me a resident permit. please advice
Hello Selvaganesan,
Sorry, I’m not sure if I had understood your situation properly. Please feel free to ask your questions via email at https://prasanthragupathy.com/contact/
But, please be more specific about your immigration history, etc.
Cheers,
Prasanth
Hello Prasanth,
I have received sms to collect my resident carte but i couldnt able to find any appointments in the prefecture site. It always says “Aucun créneau disponible
Veuillez réessayer ultérieurement”.
https://www.rdv-prefecture.interieur.gouv.fr/rdvpref/reservation/demarche/3889/creneau/
Can you please advice on how to get an appointment? Probably they would open on which day and time? because i have been checking the site for 2 weeks and the message is always the same.
Thank you.
Hello Balaganapathy, I have answered this question in Chapter “3. What should I do when I can’t find an appointment?” of this article.
So, there is no specific time to check for appointments. You have to keep checking multiple times everyday. Maybe try checking during early afternoons or early morning.
Cheers,
Prasanth