Navigating Residence Permit Issues in France: What to Do When Your Application Is Closed Unexpected

21/11/2024

Question that inspired this post(posted on 21/11/2024):

My wife and I have been living in France for the past two years. A few months before her one-year titre de séjour expired, my wife applied for renewal. Since the renewal process wasn’t completed before the expiry date, she received a récépissé. Later, we were asked to provide a new ePhoto, which we submitted. Today, we received a notification that her application has been closed, stating the following: "Your online application for residence permit No. XXXXXXXXXXXX has been closed. Vous avez une demande de titre de séjour déjà en cours d’instruction en préfecture ou sous-préfecture. Vous êtes invité à vous rapprocher de celle-ci pour faire aboutir la demande qu'elle a enregistrée, et lui fournir tout document complémentaire si vous le souhaitez." This doesn’t make sense to us because she doesn’t have any other previous or ongoing applications.

We have a few urgent questions:

1. What should she do now?

2. Is the récépissé still valid as long as it is within its validity period, or is it tied to the denied application and therefore no longer valid?

3. If the récépissé is no longer valid, how much time does she have before she must leave France without legal complications?

   
   

Top Answers

1. I had something similar happen. Did she miss a message for another document? They only give you 5 days to upload and resubmit.

2. That happened to me as well. You’ll need to reapply. Make sure to take screenshots of all the documents you upload and save them somewhere safe. If they ask for proof later, you can simply send them the screenshot showing that you attached the document.

   
   

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AI-Generated

Based on the information provided, here's what you should know and do:

Current Situation

Your wife's application for renewal of her titre de séjour has been closed due to an apparent misunderstanding. The notification suggests that there's another ongoing application, which you state is not the case.

What to Do Next

1. Contact the Prefecture: You should immediately contact the prefecture that was handling your wife's application. Use their online contact form or email address to explain the situation

2. Provide Clarification: Clearly state that there is no other ongoing application and that this was the only renewal application submitted.

3. Request Reopening: Ask for the application to be reopened or for guidance on how to proceed with the renewal process.

4. Document Everything: Keep records of all communications with the prefecture, including dates, times, and content of conversations or emails.

   
   

Récépissé Validity

The récépissé is generally valid until its expiration date, even if the application is closed. However, given the unusual circumstances:

1. Assume Validity: Continue to consider the récépissé valid until you receive explicit information stating otherwise from the prefecture.

2. Seek Confirmation: When contacting the prefecture, specifically ask about the status of the récépissé given the closed application.

   
   

Time Frame for Resolution

If the récépissé is deemed invalid:

1. Grace Period: There's typically a grace period for resolving such issues. However, the exact duration can vary.

2. Urgent Action: Treat this as an urgent matter and seek to resolve it as quickly as possible to avoid any legal complications.

3. Request Extension: If needed, request an extension or temporary authorization to stay while the issue is being resolved.

   
   

Additional Steps

1. In-Person Visit: If you don't receive a prompt response online, consider visiting the prefecture in person to address the issue

2. Legal Assistance: If the situation remains unresolved or becomes more complex, consider seeking advice from a legal professional specializing in immigration law.

3. Documentation: Gather all relevant documents related to your wife's stay in France, including the original titre de séjour, the récépissé, and any correspondence regarding the renewal application.

   
   

Remember, it's crucial to act quickly and maintain open communication with the prefecture. The sooner you address this misunderstanding, the better your chances of resolving it without complications. Stay calm and professional in all your interactions with the authorities.