Residence permits | Centre de services Euraxess

You have a long-stay visa serving as a residence permit (VLS-TS) and you must validate it

1. You have a long-stay visa serving as a residence permit (PT4 VLS-TS) as a ‘talent-researcher’

You must validate your Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS) as soon as possible and no more than 3 months after arriving in France. Validation must be done online on the Ministry of the Interior website (ANEF platform).

You will need to pay a tax by way of a tax stamp. From 1 May 2026, the fee will be €300

Once you have confirmed your visa registration, you will receive a PDF confirmation (“confirmation de la validation de l’enregistrement”) of your VLS-TS visa. This document must be saved, printed and kept for the duration of your stay in France. This confirmation will show your foreigner’s number, which begins with 99.

Algerian nationals: please note that the validation process does not apply to you yet

Your ‘talent – researcher’ visa, together with your Cerfa hosting agreement (Convention d'accueil cerfa), only authorises you to work within the scope set out therein;
If you have not completed the registration validation process for your VLS-TS within the specified timeframe, you will no longer be legally resident in France and will no longer be able to re-enter the Schengen area.

Your spouse: They will receive a ‘talent – family’ VLS-TS and must also validate it online and pay the fee. If you have children under 18 years old, they are not subject to the validation procedure.

N.B. Only married spouses are eligible for ‘talent-family’ status.

2. You have a long-stay visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS) ‘student’

You must validate it as soon as possible and no later than three months after you arrive in France. Validation must be done online via the Ministry of the Interior’s website (ANEF).

You will need to pay a fee by way of a tax stamp purchased online or at a tobacconist’s. From 1 May 2026, this fee will be €100 if you have a VLS-TS ‘student’ visa.

Once you have confirmed the registration of your visa, you will receive a ‘confirmation of registration validation’ for your VLS-TS as a PDF. This document must be saved, printed and kept for the duration of your stay in France. This confirmation of validation will show your foreigner’s number, which begins with 99.

Algerian nationals: please note that the validation process does not apply to you yet

Your ‘student’ VLS-TS allows you to work on a part-time basis. For more information, visit the website.

You have a long-stay visa (VLS) and you must apply for a residence permit

You must apply for a ‘talent-researcher’ residence permit (PT4 VLS)

You must apply for a residence permit under the ‘talent-researcher’ category as soon as possible and no later than two months after you arrive in France. You should submit your application directly online via the Ministry of the Interior’s website (ANEF).

The documents you must provide when applying for a residence permit are as follows:

A copy of your long-stay visa
A copy of your passport
Proof of address dated within the last 6 months
A digital photograph. You will need to provide the code for the digital photograph as shown on the printout
A copy of your highest qualification (at least a Master’s degree) and a translation where applicable
A copy of the Cerfa hosting agreement provided by your laboratory and endorsed by the University/research organisation, covering the period of your stay at the institution
A signed declaration of your commitment to uphold the principles of the Republic (Contrat d'engagement à respecter les principes de la République)

Once you have confirmed the submission of your application, you will receive a ‘confirmation of submission’ (attestation de confirmation du dépôt). This document serves solely as proof that your application has been submitted. It is not proof of lawful residence and does not entitle you to rights associated with lawful residence.

You will be informed of the progress and outcome of your application via an email inviting you to log in to your personal account.

Provided your application is complete, you will receive a ‘certificate of favourable decision’ (attestation de décision favorable). This document allows you to live and work in France until you receive your residence permit.

You will be notified (usually by text message) when your residence permit has been received at the Prefecture and of the steps to take to collect it. You will need to pay a fee by way of a tax stamp. From 1 May 2026, it will be €350 to collect a ‘talent-researcher’ residence permit.

Your visa and your ‘talent – researcher’ residence permit, together with your Cerfa hosting agreement (Convention d'accueil cerfa), authorise you to work only within the scope set out in the agreement;
During the period of validity of your long-stay multiple-entry visa (which must say ‘MULT’), you may travel within the Schengen Area and return to it if you leave.
When it is the first time you request for a residence permit, only the ‘notification of a favourable decision’ (attestation de décision favorable) allows you to travel within the Schengen area and return if you leave it.

Your residence card must have been collected for you to be authorised to renew it. If you have not received a text message within 2 months of getting your certificate of favourable decision, contact the prefecture by email to check whether your card is available: pref-etrangers@bouches-du-rhone.gouv.fr

Your spouse: If you have a ‘talent–researcher’ visa, your spouse will be issued with a ‘talent–family’ visa and residence permit.

They will need to follow the same application procedure for a residence permit for any stay exceeding 90 days and pay a fee of €300 from 1 May 2026.

N.B. Only married spouses are eligible for ‘talent–family’ status.

When applying for your ‘talent-researcher’ residence permit, indicate in the ‘comments’ box that you are accompanied by your spouse, specifying their full name and the number of their ‘talent-family’ visa, and state that an application for a residence permit will be submitted.

You are on a long-stay visa (P10 VLS) and you must apply for a 'scientist-researcher' residence certificate (certificat de résidence scientifique-chercheur)

Algerian nationals: please note that the online procedure does not apply to you yet.

You must apply for a residence permit under the "scientist-researcher" (scientifique-chercheur) category as soon as possible and no later than 2 months after you arrive in France.

You must download and return the complete application pack by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt (recommandé avec accusé de réception) to the relevant Prefecture department.*

The following documents must be provided with the application:

A copy of the long-stay visa
A copy of your passport
Proof of address dated within the last 6 months
3 passport-sized photographs
A copy of your highest qualification (at least Master’s degree) and a French translation where applicable
A Cerfa hosting agreement provided by your laboratory and endorsed by the University
Signing the commitment to respect the principles of the French Republic is not compulsory for Algerian nationals.

Upon reception, a receipt marked ‘authorises the holder to work’ will be sent to your postal address as soon as possible.

You will be notified (usually by text message) when your permit has been received by the Prefecture and of the steps to take to collect it.

(*) Prefecture of Bouches-du-Rhône,

DMIN / BASS Scientific B109

66B, Rue Saint Sébastien

13006 – MARSEILLE

Your visa and your residence certificate, together with your Cerfa hosting agreement, authorise you to work only within the scope set out in the agreement.
As the procedure is carried out exclusively by post, please ensure your letterbox is in working order.
The receipt for a first request (récépissé de première demande) does not allow you to re-enter the Schengen area after departure if your long-stay visa has expired.

Algerian nationals are exempt from fees when applying for their first ‘scientist-researcher’ residence certificate.

Your spouse:

If you have a ‘scientist-researcher’ visa, your spouse (if they are an Algerian national) will be granted a ‘spouse of a scientist’ visa and a residence permit marked ‘private and family life’. They will need to follow the same procedure to apply for a residence permit for any stay exceeding 90 days and pay a fee of €300 from 1 May 2026.

N.B. Only married spouses are eligible for ‘spouse of a scientist’ status.

They must follow the same procedure to apply for a residence permit for any stay exceeding 90 days.

To ensure that the applications for residence permits for the scientist-researcher and their spouse are processed simultaneously, include a copy of your respective visas in each application and state that an application for a residence permit is pending.

3. You are on a long stay 'student' visa and you must apply for an Algerian 'student' residence certificate

You must apply for a residence permit under the ‘student’ category as soon as possible and no later than two months after you arrive in France via the Ministry of the Interior’s website (ANEF).

The following documents must be provided with your application:

A copy of your long-stay visa
A copy of your passport
Proof of address dated within the last 6 months
A digital photograph. You will need to provide the code for the digital photograph shown on the printout
A copy of your certificate of enrolment at your doctoral school OR A copy of the certificate of enrolment for the coming academic year issued by the French educational institution
Proof of financial means: the current minimum requirement is €615 per month
Signing the commitment to respect the principles of the French Republic is not compulsory for Algerian nationals, but you may submit it under the ‘proof of address’ section.

Once you have confirmed submitting your application, you will receive a ‘confirmation of submission’ (attestation de confirmation du dépôt). This document serves solely as proof that your application has been submitted. It is not proof of lawful residence and does not entitle you to rights associated with lawful residence.

You will be informed of the progress and outcome of your application by email, inviting you to log in to your personal account.

Provided your application is complete, you will receive a ‘certificate of approval’ (« attestation de décision favorable »). This document allows you to live and work in France until you receive your residence permit.

You will be notified (usually by text message) when your residence permit has been received by the Prefecture and of the steps you need to take to collect it. You will need to pay a fee by way of a tax stamp. From 1 May 2026, it will be €150 to collect an Algerian residence certificate under the ‘student’ category.

During the validity period of your long-stay multiple-entry visa (it must say ‘MULT’), you may travel within the Schengen Area and return to it if you leave.
When it is the first time you request for a residence permit, only the ‘notification of a favourable decision’ (attestation de décision favorable) allows you to travel within the Schengen Area and return if you leave it.
Your residence card must have been collected for you to be authorised to renew it. If you have not received a text message within 2 months of obtaining your certificate of favourable decision, contact the prefecture to check whether your card is available.

The Algerian ‘student’ residence certificate does not authorise you to work. If you wish to undertake paid employment on a part-time basis, you must submit an application for a work permit to be authorised to work for 50% of the annual working hours in the relevant sector or profession.

You must renew your residence permit

1. You must renew your ‘researcher talent’ residence permit

If you need to remain in France beyond the expiration date of your VLS-TS visa or residence permit (Titre de séjour or TS), you must apply to renew your residence permit between 4 and 2 months before your VLS-TS visa or residence permit expires. To do so, submit your application directly online via the Ministry of the Interior’s website (ANEF).

The following documents must be provided with your application:

A copy of your valid ‘talent-researcher’ residence permit (or valid visa + confirmation of the validation of your long-stay visa, which serves as a residence permit)
A copy of your passport
Proof of address dated within the last 6 months
A digital photograph. You will need to provide the code for the digital photograph as shown on the printout
A copy of your degree (equivalent to at least a Master’s degree) and a French translation, if applicable
A copy of the Cerfa hosting agreement provided by your laboratory and endorsed by the University or research organisation covering the upcoming hosting period OR a copy of the certificate of return-to-work allowance (ARE) issued by France Travail
The commitment to respect the principles of the French Republic

Once you have confirmed the submission of your application, you will receive a 'confirmation of submission' (confirmation de dépot).

This document serves solely as proof that your application has been submitted. It is not proof of lawful residence and does not entitle you to rights associated with lawful residence. You will be informed of the progress and outcome of your application by email, inviting you to log in to your personal account.

If your application is complete, you will receive a ‘certificate of approval’ (attestation de décision favorable) valid for the duration of your stay. This document allows you to live and work in France until you receive your residence permit. You will be notified when your permit has arrived at the Prefecture and informed of the steps you need to take to collect it. At that time, you will need to pay the tax stamp. From 1 May 2026, it will be €250 for renewals.

Your spouse: If you have a ‘talent–researcher’ visa or residence permit, your spouse will be issued with a ‘talent–family’ visa and residence permit. They will need to follow the same procedure to apply for a renewal of their residence permit and pay a fee of €250 from 1 May 2026.

N.B. Only married spouses are eligible for ‘talent–family’ status.

When applying to renew your ‘talent-researcher’ residence permit, indicate in the ‘comments’ box that you are accompanied by your spouse, specifying their first and last name as well as their ‘talent-family’ visa number, and state that an application for a residence permit will be submitted.

The ‘certificate of processing extension’ (attestation de prolongation d'instruction) for renewal, accompanied by your previous residence permit, allows you to retain all your rights and enables you to return to the Schengen area after your residence certificate/residence permit has expired.
Please ensure you meet the renewal deadlines even if you do not have all the supporting documents: indicate that you will submit them later in the ‘comments/observations’ section. Beyond the statutory deadline, the renewal application remains admissible for up to 6 months after the expiry date of the previous residence permit, but a late fee of €180 will be applied.

Please note: your ANEF account will be blocked 9 months after the expiry of your last residence permit.

2. You must renew your Algerian 'scientist-researcher' residence certificate (certificat de résidence algérien scientifique-chercheur)

Algerian scientists and researchers: please note that the online procedure does not apply to you at this time.

If you need to remain in France beyond the expiry date of your residence certificate, you must apply for it to be renewed. You must download and return the complete application pack within two months prior to the expiry of your Algerian residence certificate by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt to the relevant prefecture department.*

The following documents must be provided with your application:

A copy of your valid Algerian residence certificate
A copy of your passport
Proof of address dated within the last 6 months
3 passport-sized photographs
A copy of a degree equivalent to at least a Master’s degree and its translation into French, if applicable
A copy of the Cerfa hosting agreement provided by your laboratory and endorsed by the university covering the forthcoming research period or;
A copy of the certificate of return-to-work allowance (ARE) issued by France Travail
Signing the commitment to respect the principles of the French Republic is not compulsory for Algerian nationals.

Upon reception, a renewal receipt marked ‘authorises the holder to work’ will be sent to you by post.
You will be notified (usually by text message) when your permit has been received by the Prefecture and of the steps to take to collect it. You will need to pay a fee by way of a tax stamp. From 1 May 2026, it will be €250 for residence certificates obtained as part of a renewal.

(*) PREFECTURE des Bouches-du-Rhône

DMIN / BASS Scientifiques B109,

66B, rue Saint Sébastien

13006 – MARSEILLE

The renewal application attestation (attestation de prolongation d'instruction), together with your previous residence permit, allows you to retain all your rights and enables you to return to the Schengen Area after your residence certificate has expired.

Your spouse: Your spouse (if Algerian nationals) must follow the same procedure for applying for a residence permit, meet the same deadlines as the holder of the Algerian ‘scientist-researcher’ residence certificate, and pay a fee of €250 from 1 May 2026.

N.B. Only married spouses are eligible for the status of a scientist’s spouse.

To ensure that applications for residence permits for the scientist-researcher and their spouse are processed simultaneously, include a copy of your respective residence certificates in each application and state that an application for a residence permit is pending.

3. You must renew your ‘student’ residence permit/certificate

If you need to remain in France beyond the expiry date of your VLS-TS visa or residence permit, you must apply to renew your residence permit between 4 and 2 months before your VLS-TS or residence permit expires.* To do so, submit your application directly online via the Ministry of the Interior’s website (ANEF).

The following documents must be provided with your application:

A copy of your valid ‘student’ residence permit (or valid visa + confirmation of online registration)
A copy of your passport
Proof of address dated within the last 6 months
A digital photo. You will need to provide the code for the digital photo shown on the sheet
A copy of the certificate of enrolment for the coming academic year issued by the French educational institution
A grade report sheet and the most recent qualification you got in France
Proof of financial means: the current minimum requirement is €615 per month
The commitment to respect the principles of the French Republic

You will be informed of the progress and outcome of your application by email, inviting you to log in to your personal account.

Provided your application is complete, you will receive a ‘certificate of favourable decision’ (attestation de décision favorable). This document allows you to live and work in France until you receive your residence permit.

You will be notified (usually by text message) when your residence permit has been received by the Prefecture and of the steps you need to take to collect it. You will need to pay a fee by way of a tax stamp, which can be purchased online or at a tobacconist’s. The amount of the fee varies depending on the type of residence permit. From 1 May 2026, the fee will be €100 to collect a ‘student’ residence permit.

The ‘certificate of processing extension’ (attestation de prolongation d'instruction) for renewal, accompanied by your previous residence permit, allows you to retain all your rights and enables you to return to the Schengen area after your residence certificate/card has expired.
Please ensure you meet the renewal deadlines even if you do not have all the supporting documents: indicate that you will submit them later in the ‘comments/remarks’ section. Beyond the statutory deadline, the renewal application remains valid for up to 6 months after the expiry date of the previous residence permit, but a late fee of €180 will be applied.

Please note: your ANEF account will be blocked 9 months after the expiry of your last residence permit.

You must change your status from student to talent-researcher/scientist-researcher

To change your status from 'student' to 'talent researcher' (talent-chercheur), you must follow the same procedure on the ANEF as for renewal. However, you must indicate that you wish to apply for a different residence permit by selecting as a 'talent passport.’

Algerian nationals: please note that the online procedure does not apply to you yet.

N.B. The documents to be provided with your application are the same as for an initial application for a talent-researcher residence permit.

Even if a mandatory document is missing, the renewal application must be submitted on time. Upload an explanatory letter to justify the absence of the document.

When changing your status to ‘talent-researcher’, the ‘certificate of extension processing’ (attestation de prolongation d'instruction) for renewal, accompanied by your previous residence permit, allows you to retain all your social rights and enables you to return to the Schengen area after your residence certificate/residence permit has expired.
When changing status to scientist-researcher, the receipt of renewal application (récépissé de demande de renouvellement), accompanied by the previously held residence permit, allows you to retain all your social security rights and enables you to return to the Schengen area after your residence certificate has expired.

Change of address, request a duplicate renewal request of "attestation de prolongation d'instruction" or "récepissé"

If you are applying for:

- a duplicate of your residence permit in the event of loss or theft;

- a change of address (within the Bouches-du-Rhône) or a change of department (you have a valid residence permit and have recently moved to the Bouches-du-Rhône),

You must complete the procedure online via the Ministry of the Interior’s website (ANEF).

If you have submitted an application for a residence permit and have been issued with a receipt for your residence permit application or a certificate of extension of processing, and if this temporary residence permit is due to expire whilst your application is still being processed, you must submit an application to renew these temporary documents via the online portal: https://demarche.numerique.gouv.fr/commencer/prefecture-bouches-du-rhon…

Please contact our department for further information and advice on the steps to take.