General requirements to enter France

Entry requirements and conditions of stay in France

Documents required to enter France

 An identity card for nationals of:

• the European Economic Area (EEA): the European Union + Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland
• Switzerland

 Passport and visa for nationals of countries not a part of the EEA:

• Passport: delivered in the country of origin valid for at least the period of the planned stay
• A “long stay” visa marked “student”: current French legislation prohibits the conversion of a “tourist” visa into a “student” visa.
  
  

How to obtain a “long stay” visa marked “student”
before leaving your country of residence

The “long stay” visa marked “student” is granted to foreign students who wish to continue their education at a public or private institution of higher learning for a period exceeding six months.

Important: The delivery of this visa is conditional upon your ability to prove that you have sufficient financial means to live in France. The minimum amount of resources required is set by each French Embassy.

You must apply for the visa at the French consular services in the country of residence, at least three months before the planned departure date (Cost of the visa: €99). In some countries, it is mandatory to apply for a “student” visa online: consult the website CampusFrance.

Once you have arrived in France, the visa allows you to obtain a temporary residence permit, which is required for any foreigner desiring to reside in France longer than three months.

 Documentary evidence of studies

Such evidence may consist of a positive response to an application for admission, or a pre-registration certificate at INSTN. The document must specify the educational level and the course of study selected.


 Documentary evidence of resources

• Resources guaranteed by a person residing in France: a signed statement of coverage of expenses, a photocopy of the guarantor’s identity document, evidence of his or her resources (e.g. last three pay slips and latest tax assessment notice).

• Resources from outside France: evidence of the opening of a bank account through which the funds must necessarily pass and a payment commitment by the guarantor, translated into French and bearing a notarized signature; a certificate attesting to the payment of funds by the authorities of the country of origin (for a government scholarship or when the applicant is a beneficiary of a European Union programme).

 Documentary evidence of housing

This document is not required in all cases: enquire at the embassy or consulate.

How to obtain a residence permit upon your arrival in France

The residence permit is obtained once you have arrived in France. You must apply for a residence card at the prefecture of your place of residence within two months of your arrival in France. It is only valid for one year and can be renewed by presenting evidence of university registration.

Documents that must be obtained in your country of origin prior to departure

 Proof of identity

• Passport with visa
• Birth certificate (original and photocopy) accompanied by a sworn translation into French (original and photocopy)
• Three recent, ID photos with a good likeness; photos must not be scanned and must be front-facing, bareheaded and in the following format: 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm

Documents that must be obtained in France

 Proof of domicile

• If you have a personal address: photocopy of a lease or residence contract; photocopy of a bill or utility subscription (e.g. rent receipt, electricity or telephone subscription agreement or bill, etc.)

• If you are being put up by a private party: certificate of accommodation drawn up on plain unheaded paper signed by the landlord; photocopy of the landlord’s identity card and proof of domicile

• If you live in a residence hall: certificate of accommodation drawn up by the director of the residence hall

 Documentary evidence of resources

You must present the documents stamped by the French consulate that issued your visa at the prefecture.

In the absence of the proof of resources (if this was not required for the processing of your visa), you must produce various types of documents depending on the origin of your resources.

• If you have a grant or scholarship: an affidavit attesting to your grant or scholarship drawn up on letterhead paper of the organization granting or managing the grant or scholarship, specifying the amount and duration thereof and the nature of your studies.

• If your resources are guaranteed by a guarantor in France: an affidavit of coverage of expenses signed by the guarantor, indicating his or her name, address, the monthly amount and the duration of coverage; photocopy of the identity card or residence permit of the guarantor as well as proof of his or her resources (pay slips, tax assessment notice, etc.).

• If your resources consist of funds from abroad: travellers cheques, currency exchange slips or any document proving that you regularly receive funds from abroad, specifying their monthly amount.

• If you plan to work part-time during your studies: a promise of employment, indicating the nature of the job, the number of hours and gross salary.

 Documentary evidence of course of study (original + photocopy)

• Either a certificate of registration at INSTN or an INSTN student card
• Or an affidavit certifying that you are a beneficiary of a European Union programme (Leonardo, Erasmus, European Voluntary Service).

 Mandatory medical examination

• If a medical examination was performed in your country by a doctor authorized by the French Embassy, simply present the original and copy of the medical certificate bearing the embassy’s header and seal to the authorities at the prefecture.
  
  
• If you have not completed this requirement, the prefecture will address a summons notification request during the year of validity of your first residence card or residence card receipt to the Office des Migrations Internationales (OMI). The appointment will generally be made one or two months after your application is filed.
  
  The day of the appointment, you must pay a fee of €55 (except for Algerian students, who do not have to pay this fee).
  
  After this examination, you will be issued a medical certificate as well as your residence permit.
  
  

Working during your studies

You are permitted to work in France during your studies. To obtain authorization to work, you must provide:

 an identity card for EEA nationals, with the exception of the countries mentioned below;
 a residence permit for:

• nationals of the following countries: Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia
• nationals of countries outside the EEA.

For this category of students, the volume of work is limited to 20.5 hours per week.

Organizations that can help you with formalities

 Students living in Paris

The following organizations are open without an appointment Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm:

• From September to December, the BAEM student walk-in centre (Bureau d’Accueil des Étudiants en Mobilité) at the Paris Cité Internationale Universitaire (International halls of residence):
  
  Maison Internationale
  17, boulevard Jourdan - 75014 Paris
  Phone: +33 1 70 08 76 30
  Streetcar T3 or regional express (RER) train line B (Cité Universitaire)
  
  The BAEM provides advice and information for students regarding housing, residence permits, authorisation to work, housing allowances, social security, French language courses and so on. The BAEM will then direct you to the appropriate public services.
  
  >> For additional information, consult: Cité internationale universitaire de Paris

• Starting in mid-December, the Centre des étudiants étrangers (foreign students centre):
  
  13 rue Miollis - 75015 Paris Subway: Ségur or Cambronne
  
  >> More information at Paris Police Headquarters (Préfecture)

 Students living in the Paris suburbs

Directly contact the closest prefecture.
>> List of Prefectures in Ile-de-France

Important: make an appointment as soon as you arrive in France because there is often a long wait to obtain a residence permit in the suburbs.



 Students living in another region of France

Contact the closest prefecture directly.
>> List of Prefectures in France

Websites offering useful information
(on formalities, study conditions, etc.)

• Student section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: administrative procedures, study in France, funding, etc.

• Ministry of Higher Education: post-secondary studies in France, recognition of foreign diplomas in France, learning French, etc.

• Ministry of National Education: references to national legislation

• CampusFrance: obtaining a “student” visa
  
  

How much does it cost to study in Paris region?

(2008 rate)

* Social Security - Health insurance

• Students from an EEA country: if you already have health insurance, you are not required to join the student Social Security plan; if you do not have insurance, you are required to register with Social Security.

• Nationals of countries not belonging to the EEA: you are required to register with Social Security.
  
  

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