One morning, your residence permit card is gone. Not in your bag, not in your wallet. Loss, theft, or simple misplacement—the result is the same: no proof of your right to stay in France, no access to work or public services. Panic rises, you jump from one gouv.fr page to another, ANEF sections keep closing… and the prefecture counter shows no availability.
Fortunately, solutions exist: the online duplicate request, and above all, support from a lawyer specialized in immigration law. This support can make all the difference: building the file, drafting the sworn statement, avoiding a refusal, or monitoring the processing of your administrative file with the competent department.
In the lines below, you will learn how to report the loss, submit your file, and recover your permit as quickly as possible—whether with or without a lawyer, but never alone.
Understanding what is at stake when a residence permit is lost
Why this document is essential for foreign nationals in France
A residence permit is not just an administrative document: it is proof of your right to live, work, and move freely in France. It conditions access to health insurance, housing, employment, and most administrative procedures. Without it, everything becomes more complicated: a police check becomes stressful, a contract renewal becomes impossible, and social-benefit applications can be blocked.
Losing your permit means losing the document that proves your administrative status—not the right of residence itself. A duplicate restores that proof, but the process must be handled carefully. A single form error or missing document can lead to a refusal or a major extension of processing time.
The most common situations: loss, theft, destruction
Three main cases lead to a duplicate request:
- Loss: misplacement, moving, losing a bag or wallet.
- Theft: a report is mandatory at a police station or gendarmerie.
- Accidental destruction: a damaged, worn, or illegible permit no longer has legal value.
In all cases, the first step is to report the disappearance, because the administration must invalidate the previous permit before producing a new one.
What to do immediately if your permit is lost or stolen
Step 1: file a loss or theft report
As soon as you notice the loss or theft, report it without delay: file a police report in case of theft, or prepare a sworn statement in case of loss, then submit your duplicate request.
This report will be required by the prefecture when you submit your duplicate application. It is an essential document: without it, the procedure cannot start.
If the permit was stolen, the administration automatically classifies it as invalid. In case of a simple loss, it will be deactivated once the duplicate request is registered.
Some prefectures now accept an online report, but it is often safer to go in person to the competent authority to obtain a stamped and dated document.
Step 2: submit a duplicate request on ANEF
Once the report is completed, you must create a personal account on the official platform administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr. Most residence procedures are now handled there (duplicate, renewal, change of address, etc.), even though some prefectures still use paper procedures or appointments.
In the section “I report a lost or stolen permit”, you must enter your details, upload scanned documents, and validate the form. The website provides a filing confirmation showing your request has been registered. This confirmation alone does not constitute a temporary residence document; a specific document (receipt or “extension of processing” certificate) may later be issued and can serve as proof of lawful stay.
If the website displays technical errors (disabled sections, browser-blocked message, upload failures), it is recommended to contact the prefecture service directly or to consult an immigration lawyer to file the application by post while meeting deadlines.
Step 3: track your application and collect the new permit
After submitting your file, you will receive a confirmation email. You can then track the production of your new residence permit from your ANEF personal space.
Processing times vary widely depending on the department: some prefectures process requests within two weeks, others within two months. It is therefore useful to keep the receipt as proof of lawful stay throughout the waiting period.
The availability notice is sent by email or SMS. Collection takes place at the prefecture by appointment, with the receipt and an identity document. In some departments, the card is sent directly by secure tracked mail.
If you face technical issues on ANEF or an unusually long delay, the G-Partners Law Firm in Paris can help you unlock your file quickly and communicate effectively with the prefecture.
Documents required to obtain a duplicate
List of mandatory supporting documents
Before validating your submission, prepare all the supporting documents required by the administration. An incomplete application automatically leads to rejection or longer processing times.
Commonly required documents include:
- a valid passport (identity pages and visa pages);
- the sworn statement of loss or the official theft report;
- a proof of address in your name dated within the last 3 months;
- 1 compliant identity photo meeting French standards and recent;
- proof of payment of the relevant tax and/or stamp duty for the duplicate;
- if applicable, a copy of the receipt for an ongoing application, if your permit was under renewal.
All files must be clearly scanned in a format accepted by the website (generally PDF or JPEG). For people without computer equipment, digital access points in some prefectures allow online filing with assistance.
Cost, timelines, and remedies
How much does a duplicate cost?
A duplicate of a residence permit requires payment of an electronic fiscal stamp, the amount of which depends on the type of permit concerned. For a one-year temporary residence card, the cost corresponds to the applicable renewal fee. For a resident card, the amount is slightly higher due to additional production costs.
Payment is made directly on the online platform when submitting the file. You can also purchase the stamp at an authorized tobacconist. The payment receipt must be attached to your online application.
| AMOUNT TO PAY | CONCERNED CATEGORY |
|---|---|
| €225 | General case (one-year temporary residence card). |
| €75 | Students; holders of a residence card for disability pension due to a work accident or occupational disease; trainees; business creators or job seekers; young au pairs; beneficiaries of family reunification; seasonal workers. |
| €25 | Certain specific cases (notably some 10-year residence certificates for Algerian nationals or “retired” cards). The exact amount depends on the permit type and must be checked on the Service-public sheet or with the prefecture at the time of filing. |
| Free of charge | Victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, or pimping, holding a card issued on that basis. |
| €225 (or €75 depending on the case) | Multi-year cards: €225 by default, reduced to €75 for multi-year cards “student” or “family reunification”. |
Average processing times and how to track your duplicate application
Timeframes to obtain a duplicate vary depending on where you live. In Île-de-France, some prefectures have responsive digital services, with average processing times of 2 to 4 weeks. In other regions, delays can reach 2 months, especially when the file must be checked manually.
Once your application is validated, an electronic receipt is issued. It proves your request has been registered and temporarily replaces the card. You should keep this document with you at all times in case of a police check or administrative request.
If your file is blocked or excessively delayed, it is recommended to contact the prefecture’s foreign nationals department. As a rule, the administration’s silence on a residence permit application constitutes an implied refusal after 4 months (with shorter deadlines of 30, 60, or 90 days for certain specific permits). After that, an appeal before the administrative court is possible.
At that stage, an immigration lawyer can intervene to follow up or file a gracious (informal) appeal.
The duplicate contains the same information, the same expiration date, and the same rights as the original permit.
What if the application is refused?
A duplicate request may be refused for several reasons: inconsistencies between the information provided and the original file, the permit already flagged as invalid, errors in the supporting documents, or payment not validated. In some cases, the prefecture may suspect fraudulent use of the lost permit.
In case of refusal, several remedies exist:
- Gracious appeal sent directly to the prefecture requesting a re-examination.
- Hierarchical appeal to the Ministry of the Interior if the prefecture maintains its decision.
- Finally, a contentious appeal before the administrative court.
An immigration lawyer can prepare these steps, argue your right to stay, and demonstrate good faith regarding the loss. This support often helps avoid an irregular situation.
If your duplicate application remains unanswered or is refused without explanation, the G-Partners Law Firm in Paris can help you assert your rights and obtain a decision from the prefecture.
Specific situations
You lost your residence permit abroad
Losing your residence permit while traveling abroad is a delicate situation. The first step is to report the loss or theft to the local authorities (police or gendarmerie in the country concerned). Once you have the report, contact the nearest French consulate immediately.
After a loss or theft report, the consulate or embassy may issue a return visa (or exceptionally a laissez-passer) allowing you to return to France, subject to the agreement of the prefecture that issued the permit. Once back in France, you must send the report and the travel document to your prefecture to start the duplicate procedure.
You lost your permit while an administrative procedure is ongoing
This is common and often misunderstood. If your card is lost while a renewal, an administrative appeal, or a change of status is in progress, the loss can have immediate effects on your rights. The receipt issued for the duplicate request is temporary proof of lawful stay, but some rights may be suspended: employment, social benefits, lease renewal.
The rights attached to your situation (right to work, benefits, lease, etc.) depend on the type of temporary document issued (receipt, “extension of processing” certificate) and the information written on it. You must check on the document itself whether it grants the right to work, and adapt your steps accordingly.
An immigration lawyer can verify the compatibility between your ongoing procedure and the duplicate request to avoid rejection or “inadmissibility” issues.
You find your old permit after reporting it lost
If you find your residence permit card after filing a loss or theft report, do not use it! The document is automatically deactivated by the prefecture once the duplicate request is registered. Using it would therefore be illegal and may be treated as administrative fraud.
The rule is simple: return or bring the old permit to the prefecture, along with a brief explanatory letter. This helps the administration confirm your good faith and maintain your lawful status.
Otherwise, you may delay production of the new permit or be summoned for an identity check.
How to avoid losing your residence permit
Best practices for safekeeping
The best way to avoid administrative procedures is prevention.
- Keep your card in a rigid holder, away from heat and moisture.
- Avoid carrying it daily: a photocopy is sufficient for most non-official procedures.
- Write down the permit number and its issue date in a safe place so you can report it quickly if needed.
- Keep a digital scan in a secure online vault or protected storage.
Useful digital tools
Several tools can make things easier:
- FranceConnect lets you access your ANEF space directly without creating a new account.
- Digiposte or a digital document vault helps you store identity documents and supporting files.
- Mobile apps can scan your papers in seconds and store them securely.
These tools help you avoid restarting the entire process after theft or loss, and ensure faster future procedures.
Prefectures increasingly encourage digitization: well-kept documents mean a calmer stay.
How can a lawyer help you?
An immigration lawyer knows how the administration works. Their role is not only to plead in court, but above all to secure your procedures. In cases of a lost, stolen, or invalid permit, they can:
- check your file’s compliance before submission,
- notify the prefecture in the legally required form,
- draft a sworn statement tailored to your situation,
- carry out the necessary follow-ups with the administrative services.
Lawyer support prevents the mistakes that delay the issuance of a new permit. If you face an implied refusal, they can prepare a gracious or hierarchical appeal within legal time limits and protect your right to stay.
Conclusion
Residence permit lost: every hour counts. In case of loss or theft, the first step is to file a report, then submit an online duplicate request on ANEF with the required official documents (passport, proof of residence, sworn statement, copy of the lost permit). You can track your application, file status, and email notifications, but if your case is blocked or refused, urgently contact G-Partners to secure the next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions about the loss or theft of a residence permit
Can you take a flight if you have lost your residence permit?
In practice, to board a flight to France, the airline requires at minimum a valid passport and, depending on your nationality, a visa or a document proving your right to enter France (residence permit, return visa, consular laissez-passer). If you have lost your permit, it is strongly recommended to apply for a return visa or a laissez-passer from the French consulate before the flight.
How can you return to France if you have lost all your documents abroad?
If you have lost your passport and your residence permit abroad, report it immediately to the local police and request a loss report receipt. Then go to the French consulate, which may issue a return visa or a laissez-passer. This document will allow you to board and return to France, where you must then declare the loss to your prefecture to initiate the duplicate request.
Is it possible to travel within the European Union with a duplicate?
A duplicate residence permit proves your right to reside in France, but it is not recognized as a travel document in most European countries. To travel within the Schengen area, you must have a valid passport. If you have a duplicate and a passport, you can travel freely for short stays, within the 90-day limit.
What should I do if my residence permit was used fraudulently after the theft?
As soon as you discover misuse (for example, identity theft or administrative fraud), report the theft immediately to the police and to the prefecture. Clearly mention the suspicion of fraudulent use. The administration will invalidate the permit and may carry out checks with the relevant services. Always keep a copy of the police report: it protects your legal liability.
What happens if my receipt expires before the new permit is issued?
If your receipt expires while the duplicate has not yet been issued, you must request a renewal of the receipt from the prefecture. This request must be made before the expiration date. The administration will then extend your temporary authorization to stay until you receive the new permit.
In an emergency (check, theft, job loss), can a lawyer intervene immediately with the prefect?
Yes, a lawyer specializing in immigration law can intervene immediately with the prefect in an emergency. During a police check, a theft, or a loss leading to a risk of job loss, they can contact the foreigners’ office directly or file an urgent request to prove lawful residence. They ensure the administration promptly issues a temporary receipt or that work authorization is maintained while the duplicate is being produced. This swift intervention helps avoid contract suspensions or administrative complications.
