UGA international

Step 1: assemble your application file

Between 2 and 4 months before your current residence permit or long-stay visa expires, assemble your application file by referring to the list of documents available on the online national platform (you can also use ISSO's verification platform to help you, see next step). If you are hosted or someone is supporting you financially, you can use the following templates provided by the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO):
> Template "attestation de prise en charge financière" (to be used for applications until 31 July 2026 inclusive)
> New template "attestation de prise en charge financière" (to be used for applications from 1 August 2026)
> Template "attestation d'hébergement"

Step 2: ask ISSO to check your application file

Once you have gathered all the required documents, upload all the copies on our “démarches simplifiées” online checking platform. You may need to create an account to access the platform.

Step 3: submit your application

Once you have assembled your complete application for a student residence permit, you can submit it to the Préfecture.

If -and only if- your situation matches one of the following:

• You have a “concours” C visa
• You have a “mineur scolarisé” visa and are now 18
• Your residence permit or visa has expired more than 6 months ago, or you do not have one
• You want to apply for a “Jeune au pair” residence permit
• You want to apply for a “Stagiaire” residence permit

You must submit your application on paper.
In Grenoble, paper applications are done by appointment only, on the On-Campus Préfecture Office. In Valence, contact ISSO Valence to know how to proceed.

Otherwise:

You must submit your application on the online national platform of the Directorate-General for Foreign Nationals in France (DGEF).
If you did not validate your long-stay visa online when you arrived, you will need to create an account on the website.

Step 4: the Prefecture processes your application

Once you have completed all of the steps and uploaded your documents to the platform, you will receive an “attestation de dépôt” (submission certificate).
This certificate does not constitute a valid residence permit and does not extend the validity of your current residence permit or the rights associated with your stay (work, social security benefits, etc.).

After, there are four possible outcomes:

• The Prefecture asks you to send an additional document. You will be notified of the request by email and will need to upload the requested document to your online account within 30 days.
• The Prefecture needs more time processing your application but your resident permit is about to expire: if you submitted your application on time and it is complete, you will receive a certificate "attestation de prolongation d'instruction", which extends the validity of your residence permit and the rights associated with your stay (work, travel, social security benefits).
• The Prefecture approves your application: you can then download your “attestation de décision favorable” (a PDF certificate of your approval) from your account.
• The Prefecture rejects your application or classifies it as “sans suite” (dismissed due to lack of action on your part). If this happens, you will be notified by email and will be able to view the grounds for the rejection on your online account.

Step 5: pick up your residence permit

Once your application has been approved by the Isère or Drôme Préfecture, a residence permit is being issued.
Each Prefecture has its own procedures for picking up your new permit.