The universal documents (required for all applications)
Regardless of which type of titre de séjour you're applying for, you'll always need:
- Valid passport with copies of all pages bearing stamps or visas
- Current titre de séjour or valid visa (with photocopy)
- Proof of address in France less than 3 months old (utility bill, rent receipt, bank statement showing address)
- 2 recent ID photos meeting French norms (35×45mm, neutral background, facing forward)
- Completed application form (available at your préfecture or préfecture website)
- Application fee paid (timbre fiscal) — amount varies by permit type
Student permit (étudiant)
- Enrolment certificate for the current academic year (not the previous one)
- Proof of financial resources (minimum €615/month in 2026): bank statements, scholarship certificate, family financial support declaration
- Health insurance coverage (CPAM affiliation or complementary insurance for non-EU students)
Employee permit (salarié)
- Employment contract (current and valid)
- Last 3 payslips
- Letter from employer confirming your current position and salary
- Work authorisation certificate if applicable (autorisation de travail)
Family and private life (vie privée et familiale)
- For spouse of French national: marriage certificate translated and apostilled, proof of cohabitation (joint bills, rental agreement), proof of spouse's French nationality
- For parent of French child: child's birth certificate, proof of contribution to child's upbringing, child's school certificates
- For long-term residents: proof of continuous legal residence (all previous titres de séjour)
Auto-entrepreneur / self-employed
- SIRET number registration certificate
- Last 2 years of tax returns or accounts if available
- Business bank account statements
- Evidence of professional activity (client contracts, invoices)
Tips for a successful application
Always bring originals AND photocopies of everything. Préfecture agents vary — some may ask for documents not on the official list. Organise your file chronologically. Label each section. A well-organised, clearly presented file signals seriousness and speeds up processing. FrenchDesk generates the cover letter that ties everything together.
My documents are in a foreign language. Do they need to be translated?
Yes — all foreign-language documents must be translated by a sworn translator (traducteur assermenté). The translation must be stamped and signed. Self-translation is not accepted. Translations can be expensive — budget for this in advance.
I moved recently and my proof of address is less than 1 month old. Will that work?
Yes — the requirement is "less than 3 months old", so 1 month is fine. If you've just moved, a new rental agreement plus a recent utility setup confirmation is sufficient.
Need to write an official letter to French authorities?
Describe your situation in English — FrenchDesk generates a complete, formal letter in French in 30 seconds. No blanks to fill in.
Try for free →