A residence permit receipt is a document that confirms a foreign national in France has submitted an application for a residence permit or its renewal at their local prefecture. This receipt legally allows them to reside in the country while their application is being processed.
The receipt grants the holder the same rights and privileges as those who already possess a residence permit during the examination period of their application. In many cases, individuals with a receipt are also permitted to work before their residence permit is issued.
Essentially, the receipt serves as proof of the registration of the residence permit application with the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) where the applicant resides. It permits the individual to stay in France for the specified duration on the receipt.
The receipt is typically valid for four to six months while the prefecture reviews the application. If there is a high volume of applications, the review process may extend beyond six months. In such instances, receipt holders can apply for a renewal of the receipt, which can be extended for up to three additional months.
Receipts are also issued to those whose current residence permit has expired. While waiting for their permit renewal, these individuals receive a receipt valid for three months.