Moving during the review: changing prefecture

By The FrenchPappers team · Published on 20 July 2026 · Last checked on 20 July 2026 · 6 min read

Are you moving while your file is under review? Declare your new address on the ANEF within three months. If you change department, the competent prefecture changes: report your departure to the old prefecture and get in touch with the new one, which often starts the file over from scratch. The real risk: a summons sent to the old address.

Moving during the review: why it is not a trivial matter

Moving while your residence permit application is under review is not simply a change of postal address. The prefecture handles your file according to your place of residence: this is what is known as territorial jurisdiction. As long as you stay in the same department, the declaration is a quick formality. As soon as you cross a departmental border, your file may change hands, with real consequences for the processing times and for the summons you will receive.

We regularly see people who, caught up in the move, forget to update their address. The problem is not theoretical: a summons to an appointment, a request for additional documents, or even the notification of a decision may be sent to the old address. Failing to respond to a summons means risking your file being closed or refused. This article explains the exact procedure, step by step.

The obligation to declare: what the law says

If you hold a residence card valid for more than one year, you must declare your new home within the three months following your move (article R431-23 of the Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile, the CESEDA). This obligation applies whether you move within the same municipality or to another department.

During the review of a first application or a renewal, the logic is the same: the administration must be able to reach you at an up-to-date address. The declaration is made exclusively online, on the Administration numérique pour les étrangers en France (the ANEF), the official portal of the ministère de l'Intérieur. No paper process is provided for this formality.

Declaring your change of address on the ANEF, step by step

The declaration is made from your personal account on the ANEF, in the section dedicated to changes of situation. Here are the items to prepare and the steps to follow:

• Log in to your personal ANEF area with your credentials.
• Open the « Je déclare un changement » section then select the change of address.
• Enter your full new address.
• Upload the supporting documents in digital format: your residence permit or your receipt, your passport and a proof of address less than three months old.
• Validate and keep the declaration certificate generated by the system.

Two options exist. The simple declaration, without reissuing the permit, is free and processed quickly, often in less than a month: your current permit remains valid, and the new address is simply recorded. Reissuing a new permit with the correct address is optional, chargeable and longer. For someone whose file is still under review, the simple declaration is sufficient in the vast majority of cases.

Changing department: the transfer of prefectural jurisdiction

This is the most delicate point. The prefecture with jurisdiction to handle your file is the one for your actual place of residence. When you move to another department during the review, your new prefecture becomes the territorially competent authority. In concrete terms, several prefectures (Loire-Atlantique, for example) set out the following steps to follow:

• Get in touch without delay with the prefecture of your new department.
• Report your move to your old prefecture, so that the change of department is taken into account.

Beware of a little-known reality: depending on the department, your new prefecture may ask you to file a complete new application rather than pick up the existing file as is. This is frequently the case for a renewal. The initial file is not always automatically "transferred" from one prefecture to another: in practice, you often start over with a new application to the competent authority for your new place of residence. Practices vary from one prefecture to another, which we cannot guarantee in advance.

To find out exactly how your arrival prefecture organizes reception and the filing of applications, see our page procedures by prefecture, which lists the procedures specific to each department. The arrangements for booking appointments, in particular, are not the same everywhere.

The concrete risks and how to avoid them

The main risk of a poorly declared move is the missed summons. If the prefecture summons you to an appointment or asks you for documents at your old address, and you do not receive the letter, the administration may consider that you have not responded. This can lead to your file being closed with no further action, or even a refusal that will force you to start over. A change of department can also leave the file "on hold" during the transition, while the new prefecture takes it over.

To limit these risks, a few simple reflexes:

• Declare the change of address as soon as you move in, without waiting for the three-month limit.
• Regularly check your ANEF messages and your mail, including during the transition period between two prefectures.
• Keep written proof of every step: ANEF certificate, emails exchanged with the prefectures.
• If you are on a receipt, keep an eye on its end-of-validity date and anticipate its renewal. Our explanations on rights linked to the receipt will help you find your bearings.

A move may also coincide with a change in your personal or professional situation. If this is the case, check that your permit category still matches your situation, for example during a change of status from student to employee. We are neither lawyers nor affiliated with the administration: our role is to help you present a complete and up-to-date file, without ever promising you the granting of the permit, which is solely the prefecture's decision.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to redo my residence permit after a move?

No, it is not mandatory. The simple address declaration on the ANEF is free and your current permit remains valid. Reissuing a new permit with the correct address is a chargeable and optional choice.

What happens if I move to another department while my file is under review?

The competent prefecture becomes the one for your new home. You must report your departure to the old prefecture and get in touch with the new one. Depending on the department, a complete new application may be required.

Within what time frame must I declare my change of address?

Within the three months following your move for holders of a permit valid for more than one year, pursuant to article R431-23 of the CESEDA. We recommend doing it as soon as you move in.

Does changing department lengthen the processing times?

Often, yes. While the new prefecture takes over your situation, the file may remain on hold. This is why you must act without delay and regularly check your summons.

How do I find out what the procedure is for my new prefecture?

The arrangements vary from one department to another. See our page procedures by prefecture to find out the specifics of the department where you are settling.