How can a foreigner return to France after leaving the Schengen area?
Verified 08 March 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
If you are a foreigner no European, whether you live in France and want to travel to a country outside of the Schengen area, you need to make sure you have the right documents to return to France.
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You have a residence permit
You can return to France with your valid passport and residence permit.
Warning
to return to the Schengen area, whether or not your nationality is subject to a visa, you will have to prove that you fulfill the entry conditions (e.g. sufficient resources).
You have a temporary residence permit
The temporary residence permit accompanied by your valid passport allows you to return.
Warning
to return to the Schengen area, whether or not your nationality is subject to a visa, you will have to prove that you fulfill the entry conditions (e.g. sufficient resources).
You have a receipt for your residence card request
You have a receipt for the 1st application
If you have a receipt of 1re application for a residence card, you will have to submit a return visa application to the french consulate in the country where you are staying, in order to be able to return.
In exceptional situations (humanitarian cases, force majeure, etc.), a prefectural return visa can be granted. You have to ask for it before you leave and pay €6 by tax stamps.
The issue of this visa is at the discretion of the Prefect.
The prefectural visa does not allow you to return only by a french border.
Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact
Warning
it is not possible to carry out the procedures in some sub-prefectures. Find out more on your prefecture's website.
Warning
to return to the Schengen area, whether or not your nationality is subject to a visa, you will have to prove that you fulfill the entry conditions (e.g. sufficient resources).
You have a renewal receipt
You can return with your receipt for the renewal of your residence card, accompanied by your expired residence permit and your valid passport.
Warning
to return to the Schengen area, whether or not your nationality is subject to a visa, you will have to prove that you fulfill the entry conditions (e.g. sufficient resources).
You have a certificate of application for a residence card
Certificate of submission of application
If you have certified your application for a residence card, you will need to apply for a return visa at the French consulate in the country where you are staying, in order to be able to return.
In exceptional situations (humanitarian cases, force majeure, etc.), a prefectural return visa can be granted. You have to ask for it before you leave and pay €6 by tax stamps.
The issue of this visa is at the discretion of the Prefect.
The prefectural visa does not allow you to return only by a french border.
Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact
Warning
it is not possible to carry out the procedures in some sub-prefectures. Find out more on your prefecture's website.
Warning
to return to the Schengen area, whether or not your nationality is subject to a visa, you will have to prove that you fulfill the entry conditions (e.g. sufficient resources).
Certificate of extension of investigation
The certificate of extension of the processing of a residence permit application allows you to return. It must be accompanied by your residence permit or a long-stay visa (except visa mentioned "Temporary exemption of residence card") expired and your valid passport.
Warning
to return to the Schengen area, whether or not your nationality is subject to a visa, you will have to prove that you fulfill the entry conditions (e.g. sufficient resources).
Certificate of favorable decision
The certificate of a favorable decision on an application for a residence permit allows you to return. It must be accompanied by your valid passport.
Warning
to return to the Schengen area, whether or not your nationality is subject to a visa, you will have to prove that you fulfill the entry conditions (e.g. sufficient resources).
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service
For more information on this topic, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Cost: free service
The informants who answer you belong to the Ministry of the Interior.
Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their status.
The service is available at the following times:
- Monday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 to 12:15
- Wednesday: 8:30 to 12:15
- Thursday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
- Friday: 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m
- Regulation of 9 March 2016 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code)Articles 2(15), 5(1)(b), 7 and 13
- Regulation of 14 November 2018 listing the third countries whose nationals are or are not subject to Schengen visas
- General Tax Code: Articles 953 to 955Rule 954
- List of documents authorizing return to the Schengen area
FAQ
- Map of the Schengen areaAll of Europe