Get or extend a residence permit ?

Whether you are employed on an internship or studying in a foreign country, there is an important administrative requirement to be completed : you have to make sure your residential status is valid by applying for a residence permit or renewing it.

The residence permit is the document that officializes your presence on the territory of your host country. It also allows you to carry out administrative procedures or other procedures in your host country. It is a crucial document for your stay.

The first step is to contact the relevant local administrative authorities of your place of residence - city hall, prefecture or sub-prefecture or police station. Deadlines to contact administrative authorities could vary depending on whether you are new or not into the country. It is therefore necessary, as soon as you arrive in the host country, to contact the police, municipal or prefectural authorities of your place of residence to find out the deadlines for first applying or for renewing your residence permit.

Some embassies of the host countries give information on the procedures to get a residence permit on arrival (specific authorities to contact, etc.). During contacts with the administrative authorities, the list of documents to be provided for the application or renewal of the residence permit should also be requested or reconfirmed.

What documents should be prepared to obtain the residence permit?

As soon as you have obtained an appointment with the authorities concerned by the applications or renewal of residence permits, you must take time to gather the requested documents properly several days before the appointment. This avoids last minute panic due to lack of time when you leave for the appointment. In most cases, requested documents are (depending on host country) :

• long-stay visa (for newcomers) or the old residence permit coming to an end (but still valid)
• a document justifying your stay in the host country (enrolment to follow studies, or document from a professional structure for employee/trainees, internships etc.)
• recent identity photos
• proof of residence
• fiscal stamps
• documents showing proof of resources in the host country (salary slips or proof of income for employees, scholarship certificates or proof of financial support for students).