Published on: September February 25, 2025 | Article No: 307 | By: @rprasanth_kumar
This article answers common questions regarding the temporary residence document, known as the récépissé, that you receive when applying for a titre de séjour (residence permit) in France. It summarizes the key points regarding the récépissé, ensuring you have a clear understanding of its purpose, eligibility, conditions, validity, renewal process, work authorization, and travel permissions.
Questions Covered 📚
- What is a récépissé for a titre de séjour application?
- Who is eligible to receive a récépissé?
- What are the conditions for obtaining a récépissé?
- How long is a récépissé valid?
- Can I travel with a récépissé?
- Can I work with a récépissé?
- When and how can you renew your récépissé?
- Real examples of récépissés
- Sources & References
1. What is a récépissé for a titre de séjour application?
When you submit your application for a carte de séjour at the préfecture or sous-préfecture in France and your file is complete, you will receive a temporary document called a récépissé.
- This document confirms that your application has been registered and authorizes you to legally reside in France while your file is under review.
- In some cases, it may also permit you to work and travel.
Note: If you apply via the ANEF online service, you will receive an attestation instead of a récépissé. More details in What are the online attestations of French Resident Permits?: Confirmation, Prolongation & Favorable Decision.
2. Who is eligible to receive a récépissé?
- Any foreign national applying for a titre de séjour in France—whether it is a première demande (1st application), renouvellement (renewal), or duplicata (duplicate)—is eligible to receive a récépissé.
- In other words, if you are not a French citizen and have submitted an application for a titre de séjour, this document applies to you.
3. What are the conditions for obtaining a récépissé?
A récépissé is issued only if your French residence permit application file is complete. It serves as temporary permission to reside in France while your titre de séjour application is being processed.
4. How long is a récépissé valid?
The validity period depends on the type of French residence permit application:
- 1st application (première demande): You will receive a récépissé valid for 4 or 6 months. This period covers the processing of your file and the issuance of your titre de séjour. In exceptional cases, it can be renewed for up to 3 additional months.
- Renewal or Duplicate (renouvellement or duplicata): You will receive a récépissé valid for 3 months, beginning the day after the expiration of your current carte de séjour. This document may also be subject to renewal.
5. Can I travel with a récépissé?
The travel authorization depends on the type of récépissé:
- A récépissé de première demande de titre de séjour issued during a 1st application or as a duplicata does not allow you to travel.
- A récépissé de renouvellement de titre de séjour issued during a renewal does allow travel, provided you carry both the récépissé and your previous titre de séjour along with your passport.
Important: If your récépissé has expired, it will not allow you to re-enter France, and you will need to apply for a visa de retour.
6. Can I work with a récépissé?
Yes, depending on your situation, the récépissé can authorize you to work.
- Allowed to work if the récépissé mentions autorise à travailler.
- Work is not allowed, when it says n’autorise pas à travailler.
7. When and how can you renew your récépissé?
- You can request the renewal of your récépissé once it nears the end of its validity.
- For more details on the process, you should contact your local préfecture or sous-préfecture in France. The details are usually available on the prefecture’s website.
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8. Real examples of récépissés
There are so many types of récépissés issued by Prefectures in France.
Example 1: Un récépissé de première demande de titre de séjour
This récépissé is issued while applying for a residence permit.
- Allows you to legally stay in France.
- Allows you to work in France, if the récépissé mentions autorise à travailler.
- Does not allow you to travel outside France.
Example 2: Un récépissé de renouvellement de titre de séjour
This récépissé is issued while renewing an existing residence permit. It extends all rights of the expired residence permit.
- Allows you to legal stay in France.
- Allows you to work in France, if the expired residence permit allowed it.
- Allows you to travel outside France too, if it is accompanied by the old (expired) residence permit and your valid passport.
