Information has been circulating on social networks to the effect that Lebanese in France holding visas that are about to expire can extend their stay, by submitting applications on the spot based on their respective files. Is this true?
According to a source close to the French embassy interviewed by L'Orient-Le Jour, “prefectoral authorities admit requests for extensions beyond the authorized length of stay,” while applications for new visas are not accepted. This means that extension requests are only admissible if the visas concerned have not yet expired and are therefore still valid.
However, the acceptance of a request for extension is not “systematic” or “guaranteed,” said the aforementioned source, indicating that it is left to the discretion of the prefectures, which assess the files (forms, supporting documents, etc.) submitted to them, before making their decisions.
According to the same source, the possibility of applying for an extension of stay is independent of the situation in Lebanon. It is a rule “usually applicable for certain reasons,” it stated, noting that this rule applies to all types of visa (short-stay, long-stay, including student visas, etc.). With regard to the length of stay that may be authorized, each request will be examined on a case-by-case basis.