Traveling using a “soon to expire” resident permit is one of the most common FAQs asked by the expat community in France. So, can they travel?. The answers are addressed in this article.
Can I travel using a French resident permit that is expiring very soon?
Yes, you can travel on or before the expiry date mentioned on your resident permit.
For example: If you are going to your home country, you can go and return before the validity date.
However, it is highly recommended to attach a few supporting documents depending on your resident permit status. This will help to avoid any unnecessary complications during airport immigration.
Whichever is applicable,
- Copy of a RDV confirmation from your prefecture about a renewal of your resident permit or a status change application.
- Copy of prefecture’s confirmation about an ongoing renewal or status change application. It can be a valid récépissé too.
- If you have an Attestation de prolongation de l’instruction or Attestation de décision favorable, you can present it too. You can find more details here What Are The Online Attestations Of French Resident Permits?.
Can I travel using an expired French resident permit?
No, you cannot travel using an expired resident permit. If you travel, you return to France ony with a Visa de retour.
However, there are a few exceptions and they are listed below.
If your residence permit expires during your stay outside France and you do not have a renewal attestation or récépissé, you will not be able to return to France. You must apply for a Visa de retour.
When the expired resident permit is accompanied by one of the following documents, you can travel.
- A valid récépissé de demande de titre de séjour.
- Copy of an Attestation de prolongation de l’instruction or Attestation de décision favorable. You can find more details here What Are The Online Attestations Of French Resident Permits?.
Suggestions
- In these situations, it is better to avoid traveling outside the Schengen area. The only other exception is travel between France and your home country.
- If your attestation or récépissé has the text “premier demande”, it does not allow you to travel. Even if you travel to your home country, you can return only with a visa de retour.
- If you are in doubt, you can write to the Airline and the French Embassy or Consulate in your country. A written confirmation can always be helpful.
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