I'm a Brazilian living in France, and after I arrived here I always had some doubts about travelling in Europe without my "carte de séjour". So now I got some answers and I think it may be useful for other foreign people living in France.
I came to France with a scientific visa valid for 3 months, during this period I had to request my "carte de sejour" to allow me living in France after my visa expiration, but some times it can take a long time and your visa will probably expire before you receive your "carte de sejour". So French prefectures give you what they call "Récépissé de Demande de Carte de Séjour" (it took some weeks to arrive). This is a receipt saying that you've requested your residence permit and is a valid document in France when presented with any ID card (passport for example).
But if you want to travel outside France, is it allowed using this receipt? I went to the prefecture in Nice (close to where I'm living) and they said if leave France I can not come back only with this receipt ( "Récépissé de Demande de Carte de Séjour"), but I can request a return visa (visa de retour) and this + the receipt will allow me to come back to France.
To request a return visa I went to the prefecture, in the foreign department and asked for a "visa de retour", they will give you a form to be filled with simple information, like where are you going and which dates. You have to pay around 6 euros and give them:
- Picture
- Copy of your passport
- Copy of your receipt of "Carte de sejour"
It takes 10 days to be ready in Nice, and them you have to come back with your passport in hands. They will put some stamps in your passport and write the period you can leave the country.
So if you are planning to travel outside France and are still waiting for your carte de sejour, try to resquest the "visa de retour" at least 10-15 days in advance. It will guaranty you be allowed to come back. I also keep some documentation with me in my travel, as the receipt, address, contracts.
P.S. People who already have an expired "carte de sejour" and are waiting for a new one with the receipt in hands are supposed to be allowed to travel. But its better to confirm it.
