Identity card, passport: online pre-application now possible for French foreigners

Since February 16, 2026, pre-application for a national identity card (CNI) and passport is possible for French nationals established outside France, via the platform of the National Agency for Secure Documents (ANTS).

Available since 2019 in town halls, this digital procedure is gradually opening up to the consular network. Until now, only people residing in France had access to pre-application.

How does the pre-application service abroad work?

Pre-application for an identity document is an online process that any user can carry out from the ANTS pre-application platform. This is the first step to making an appointment online for a first application or for the renewal of a passport or identity card.

The foreigner is pre-requested by the French before the appointment at the consulate. It facilitates the overall process for the user and the agent processing the request, all elements having been prepared and transmitted beforehand.

The application for a passport abroad requires (as in France) the purchase of a tax stamp. Where the photograph is provided by the applicant, the amount of the stamp shall be:

• €96 for a person of full age;
• €52 for a minor aged 15 years and over;
• €27 for a minor under 15 years of age.

The tax stamp is set at 99 €, 55 € and 30 € if the photograph is made by the diplomatic or consular post.

As a reminder, the identity card is free (subject to returning the old card in case of renewal).

The Frenchmen of the foreigner can now also apply an early renewal of their old model identity card in order to obtain a national identity card in bank card format. This will allow them to activate their digital identity via France Identity, which will simplify their procedures with the French administrations.