Naturalisation processing times and ANEF application tracking in 2026
Par Antonin GAVREL - le mercredi 2 septembre 2026 - 8 min read
Submission does not always start the statutory period immediately
A common mistake is to calculate the period from the day the first files are sent through ANEF. The official maximum period is tied to the issue of the receipt, which occurs once the necessary documents have been provided and the application has been registered under the prescribed conditions.
A request for additional documents before this stage can therefore increase the actual time experienced by the applicant without starting the clock they expected.
18 months, or 12 months after ten years of residence
The authorities generally have a maximum of 18 months from the receipt to respond to an application for naturalisation or reinstatement of French nationality. This period is reduced to 12 months when the applicant proves that they have habitually resided in France for at least ten years on the date the receipt is issued.
The period may be extended once by three months. The authorities must give reasons for the extension.
These periods do not promise a favourable decision. They govern the assessment process, which includes checks, the interview and examination by the competent departments.
Main visible stages
Depending on your circumstances and the submission method, you may see:
- application submitted;
- completeness check and requests for documents;
- registration and receipt;
- invitation to interview;
- forwarding of the application and assignment of a ministerial number;
- decision and, if approved, publication in the Official Journal.
The labels displayed online do not always make it possible to predict a precise date. Avoid interpreting every status change as an imminent decision.
An application being tracked must also be kept up to date
VisaPref helps you respond to document requests and record changes during processing.
Where can you find notifications?
For an online application, regularly check your personal account, particularly the notifications section, as well as the associated email address. Check your spam folder and keep every acknowledgement, receipt and request for additional documents.
When the department registers the application, a ministerial number is provided during the process. If the application is accepted, information about the decree and its publication is also sent.
Which changes must you report?
After the receipt is issued and until the decision, report relevant changes: a new address, change of employment, marriage, separation, birth, significant change in family circumstances or long-term stay abroad.
Attach legible evidence and state the application number. Do not create a new application simply to send an update, unless expressly instructed by the authorities.
How to send an effective follow-up
An effective follow-up gives your full identity, date of birth, application number, receipt date and a specific question. Include only the necessary documents. Repeated messages containing no new information do not shorten processing time.
If the applicable deadline has passed or a legal difficulty arises, review the available remedies using the procedural documents. The exact starting point and the notifications received are essential.
After publication of the decree
Download and keep the decree from Légifrance. It takes effect on the date it is signed. Check that the relevant minor children are included, then follow the procedures for obtaining a national identity card and passport.
Official source
Article updated on 16 September 2026. Actual processing time varies according to the application's completeness and complexity.