Ressources
Applying for a visa
Apply for your visa at the French consulate or embassy in your country.
Long-stay student visa (>3 months)
The long-stay student visa enables the holder to pursue studies in France for a period of 3 months or more.
There are several types of long-stay visa:
The long-stay visa valid as a residency permit (VLS-TS) allows you to stay in France for up to a year without having to apply for a residency permit. However, you must validate your visa within 3 months of your arrival in France. The validation is done online at: https://administration-etrangers-en-france. interieur.gouv.fr
The long-stay visa marked “carte de séjour” (residency permit) must be applied for within 2 months of arrival in France. This visa is designed for Algerian nationals and for individuals who qualify for the “Talent/Researcher Passport,” among others. For more information: https://france-visas.gouv. fr/web/france-visas/visa-de-long-sejour
Under some circumstances, a temporary longstay visa (VLS-T) may be issued. It is not renewable and does not confer the same rights and privileges as the VLS-TS.
A special visa marked “Étudiant–mobilité” (student– mobility) is granted to students participating in EU programs, multilateral programs involving mobility in one or more EU member states, or programs governed by an agreement between two or more educational institutions in at least two EU member states. For more information: www.campusfrance.org (Students >Getting organized >Visas)
Upon expiration of your visa, you must apply for a residency permit if you wish to remain in France. (Within their first year, Algerian students must apply for their residency permit at police headquarters.) https://administration-etrangers-en-france. interieur.gouv.fr
ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS CAN NOW BE COMPLETED LARGELY ONLINE
The visa process has been simplified:
- Your visa application receives priority treatment at the consulate.
- The France-Visa digital portal lets you upload your supporting documents.
- Once in France, you’ll be able to validate your visa remotely, without having to appear in person at a government office.
Keep in mind…
The visa application process begins once you have an offer of admission from an educational institution. Nationals of EU member states, of the European Economic Area, and Switzerland do not need entry or residency visas. Upon expiration of your VLS-TS student visa, you can apply for a multi-year residency permit to allow you to continue your education. Students who are still minors must apply for a “visa pour mineur scolarisé en France” (visa for minor enrolled in France) and need not apply for a residency permit until they come of age.
The short-stay student visa (<3 months)
- The short-stay Schengen visa : this visa for short stays within the Schengen area is defined in European regulations. It authorizes stays not to exceed 3 months. Holders of the visa are not required to obtain a French residency permit. It is ideal for students seeking language training or participating in other short-term educational programs.
- The short-stay “étudiant-concours” visa (student–examination) : this visa entitles the holder to enter France for the purpose of attending an interview or sitting for an entrance examination at an institution of higher education. Students who pass the interview or examination may apply for a 1-year renewable residency permit. They need not return to their country before doing so.
AROUND 60 COUNTRIES USE THE MANDATORY “ÉTUDES EN FRANCE” PROCEDURE
In these countries, an online process has been set up for students to use in applying for admission to a French educational institution. Use of the process is required in order to obtain a visa.
Following a preliminary interview with the Campus France office and upon receipt of a notice of advance registration from the host institution, the prospective student submits a visa application.
The application is tracked by the local Campus France office. The list of the countries using the “Études en France” procedure is available on the Campus France website.
www.campusfrance.org (Students >Studying >Registration)
Keep in mind…
Under no circumstances may a tourist visa be converted into a student visa anywhere in the European Union.
Stay in France after graduating
A temporary residency permit is available to some graduates wishing to stay in France to seek employment or create a business. This permit is reserved for holders of a licence professionnelle, of a Mastère Spécialisé (specialized master) or a Master of Science (recognized by the Conférence des Grandes Écoles) or another degree that is at least equivalent to the French Master, or another degree that prepares the student to start a business. The RECE card may also be obtained by a student holding a residency permit marked “passeport talent chercheur” who has just completed his or her research work.
Note, however, that certain students from countries that have entered into bilateral agreements with France must apply for an APS (temporary stay permit).
Learn more at: www.campusfrance.org/en/carte-sejourrecherche- emploi-creation-entreprise (see page 44).
The circulation visa (or Schengen visa)
Students who earn a master-level degree from a French institution may apply for a circulation visa after graduation. The visa enables the holder to return regularly to France from their country of residence.
Student visa: Campus France answers your questions
Whatever your circumstances or nationality, the following articles on the Campus France website will answer your questions about student visas. For example:
- How do I validate my visa upon arrival in France?
- How do I renew my residency permit?
Find everything on the Campus France site: www.campusfrance.org (Students >Getting organized >Visas)
ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS CAN NOW BE COMPLETED LARGELY ONLINE
Applications for, and renewals of, student residency permits can now be filed online on the ANEF platform (ANEF stands for “digital administration for foreigners in France”), using a computer, tablet, or smart phone.
The following groups are affected by this change:
- Students holding a VLS-TS (étudiant) or VLS-TS (étudiant mobilité)
- Algerian nationals holding a VLS (étudiant)
- Students holding a VLS (étudiant mobilité)
- Holders of a residency permit for other than student status
- Holders of a student residency permit other than a VLS-TS (étudiant)
https://administration-etrangers-en-france. interieur.gouv.fr
Watch the tutorial: www.campusfrance.org/en/tutorials-tohelp- international-students-in-their-applicationprocess
Finding housing
University housing (Cité-U)
Located on campus or in town, university residences are managed by France’s regional student service centers (CROUS). They offer furnished rooms of about 9–12 meters square, as well as studio apartments that are generally well equipped. Monthly rents are in the range of €250 to €650. The quantity of university housing is limited, however, especially in Paris, and you may not be able to obtain space, given that a portion of the available stock is reserved for students receiving scholarships from the French government or a foreign government, and for students taking part in an exchange program.
Privately owned student buildings
Privately owned apartment buildings designed for students are found in major cities. They offer an alternative to the university housing operated by CROUS. The rent varies from €600 to €1,200 per month in Paris, and from €400 to €600 elsewhere in France. Again, these figures do not include any housing assistance for which the student may qualify.
Portal of ADELE, the student housing association: www.adele.org
Rentals on the private housing market
Costs remain high, especially in larger cities (Paris, in particular). The monthly income required to qualify for a rental is generally about three times the rent. To rent a unit, students must have a guarantor and post a security deposit.
Group rentals
Sharing an apartment with other students is a popular choice. In a shared rental, several students enter into a lease with a property owner, with all students having the same rights and responsibilities, A number of websites advertise shared rentals.
Living with a French family
(including breakfast) to €300 euros (breakfast and dinner); costs are somewhat lower in other French cities.
Intergenerational housing
Some organizations pair students needing a place to live with older people who have a free room in the home they rent or own. The senior citizen must be able to provide a suitable space, furnished or unfurnished, and free access to common areas (kitchen, bathroom, living room). The student agrees to behave in a neighborly way, to watch over the property, to perform small tasks that make life easier for the resident, and to pay a share of common costs (utilities, maintenance).
Housing assistance
International students are eligible for housing assistance on the same terms as French students.
There are 2 different assistance schemes, ALS and APL, depending on the type of housing chosen. The schemes cannot be combined. The amount of assistance provided varies with the rent and the student’s circumstances. Students in group rentals may qualify for assistance as long as their name appears on the lease. Complete information and terms are available from the family assistance fund (CAF) serving the area in which the housing unit is located: www.caf.fr >Accueil Allocataires >Actualités 2019 >Aide au logement étudiant
Additional information on accomodation
www.campusfrance.org (Students >Getting organised >Accommodation)
THE BIENVENUE EN FRANCE LABEL: FRANCE’S COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENT STUDENT SERVICES
French institutions of higher education displaying the Bienvenue en France label assist students in finding housing. Learn about all of the services available to you:
www.campusfrance.org (Resources cente >Practical information for students and researchers)
ONLINE PORTAL OF THE CROUS NETWORK: WWW.LOKAVI Z.FR
VISALE: THE FRENCH GOVERNMEN T’S ANSWER TO STUDENT SECURITY DEPOSITS
Working in France
While enrolled
Students who are citizens of the countries of the European Economic Area or Switzerland may work without restriction during their period of study in France. French law authorizes other international students to work under certain conditions. A residency permit marked “student” (whether conferred as part of a VLS-TS visa or separately) allows the holder to work while in school for up to 60%* of the normal working year, or 964 hours, without prior authorization.
Keep in mind…
Remunerated internships (i.e., internships lasting longer than 2 months) performed by students as an integral part of their studies (as specified in the internship agreement) are not counted toward the yearly limit.
France’s gross minimum hourly wage is €10..48 before mandatory withholdings of approximately 20%.
Student employment within educational institutions
Students have the right to work under a VLS-TS, but for no more than 60% of full employment, or 964 hours per year.
www.campusfrance.org (Students >Getting organized >Working while studying in France) – See also:Students >And after? >Finding work in France >Students >And after? >How to start a company in France
After graduation
European students: International students from a member country of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland may remain in France indefinitely to seek employment after graduation.
Non-European students: Non-European students wishing to remain in France after earning their degree must have an offer of employment or employment contract specifying remuneration that is at least 50% higher than the minimum wage.
Non-European graduates who do not have an offer of employment may apply for a temporary (12- month), non-renewable residency permit marked “recherche d’emploi/création d’entreprise” (job search/business start-up). The applicant must hold a licence professionnelle or master’s degree, or have a plan to start a business.
Students from countries that have reached bilateral agreements with France receive special treatment with respect to grants of temporary resident status (APS). The countries in question are Senegal, Gabon, Benin, Tunisia, Mauritius, Cape Verde, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Macedonia, Montenégro, Serbia, Lebanon, and India. Information on your particular situation may be obtained from the website of the French Ministry of the Interior or from the Campus France office in your country.
www.interieur.gouv.fr – www.campusfrance.fr (Countries/sites)
The “Talent Passport” residency permit
The “Talent Passport” residency permit is available under certain circumstances, notably for the very highly qualified, those seeking to start a business or invest in France, and artists. It is valid for up to 4 years and is renewable.
Insurance in France
Social security and medical insurance
France’s Social Security system reimburses medical expenses. Participation in the system is free and obligatory for all students enrolled in France, French or foreign. International students should apply using the following dedicated website if this is their first stay in France and the first time they have registered in the French Social Security system: https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr
European students who possess a European medical insurance card valid for the duration of their study in France need not register on this website.
Students must choose a primary care physician who participates in the Social Security system. On average, the system reimburses 70% of illnessrelated expenses. House calls and appointments on weekends and holidays cost more. Supplemental health insurance policies or student group policies may increase the reimbursed share. Students on very short stays in France or not enrolled in a French institution of higher education must take out an individual medical policy offered by a private insurance company. In France, the cost of such policies ranges from €150 to €550 per year.
Learn more at: www.campusfrance.org (Étudiants >S’organiser >Sécurité sociale)
The student and campus life contribution
A student and campus life contribution known as CVEC applies to French and foreign students entering a public or private institution of higher education. The contribution—amounting to €92 for 2022—funds student support services (social, health-related, cultural, and athletic) during their study period. The CVEC is entirely separate from Social Security requirements.
Find out whether CVEC applies to you and, if it does, how you should pay your contribution: www.campusfrance.org (Students >Getting organized >Student and Campus Life Contribution (CVEC))
ATTENTION: Even if you are exempt from the CVEC contribution, you must register at www.messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr and then connect to the following dedicated site: https://cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr. From there, you will be able to download a statement of exemption, which you will present when you register for classes at your French educational institution.
Multirisk housing insurance
Under French law, all dwellings must be insured against theft, water damage, fire, and other risks. This form of insurance is obtained from private companies on a lump-sum basis. Multirisk housing insurance includes civil liability insurance, which covers harm or damage suffered on the premises by third parties.
Keep in mind…
Additional forms of insurance are also available. Examples include automobile insurance, insurance for repatriation of remains, and insurance against athletic injuries.
Cultural life
There are the regular festivals of music (Vieilles Charrues in Carhaix, Folle Journée in Nantes, Eurockéennes in Belfort, Jazz in Marciac, Transmusicales in Rennes), of film (Cannes, Deauville, Avoriaz, Cognac), dance (Biennale de la Danse in Lyon, La Part des Anges in Bordeaux…), theater (Avignon, Aurillac), and graphic novels (Angoulême), as well as a multitude of national events (Journées du Patrimoine, Fête de la Musique le 21 juin, Nuits Européennes des Musées). Get details at www.culture.fr
Museums and monuments
France’s 8,000 museums are distributed all across the country. While the Eiffel Tower remains the most-visited monument, more than 40,000 other buildings are designated as historical monuments. Prominent examples are the chateaus of the Loire Valley, Mont Saint Michel, Château d’If, the arenas in Nîmes, and the port of La Rochelle. Guides to national museums and monuments: www.rmn.fr www.monuments-nationaux.fr www.images-art.fr
Books
Livre de Poche’s budget line puts books within everyone’s reach, beginning at €5. Numerous book-related events throughout France— including long-running fairs and shows—attest to the French zest for reading.
Press
The French press is notable for its diversity. A plethora of daily, weekly, and monthly periodicals, broadcasts, and podcasts cover general and specialized interests at the national and regional levels. Every city and region has at least one newspaper that carries local, regional, national, and international news—for example, Sud-Ouest in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Ouest-France in Brittany, and La Provence in Marseille.
Almost all newspapers and magazines also appear online. Subscriptions are available, of course, but many publications allow free access to certain articles as soon as they appear.
Libraries
France contains more than 3,000 libraries. By registering free at the library in your neighborhood, you gain access to all of the libraries in the city. An online digital library is accessible via Bibliovox: www.bibliovox.com
University libraries: Every educational institution maintains at least 1 library. Hours vary, but most are open evenings and weekends. The 127 libraries of France’s universities and other major educational institutions house more than 40 million volumes.
Public libraries: www.lexilogos.com/bibliotheque_municipale.htm
National Library of France: www.bnf.fr – http://gallica.bnf.fr
Sports and athletics
In addition to the athletic facilities of educational institutions, there are many public sports complexes throughout France. For a modest cost, thousands of gyms and clubs give you access to training facilities and help you stay fit. The entrance fees at municipal swimming pools are low.
The Campus France website offers detailed information on cultural life in the city where you’ll be studying.
50 cities have prepared short guides for incoming international students.
www.campusfrance.org (Resources center >Practical information for students and researchers >Student cities)
All cultural sites offer discounted admission for students and frequent visitors
France Alumni
Join the nearly 350,000 members of France Alumni in 125 countries.
The France Alumni network is not only an invaluable career accelerator, it is also the best way to stay in contact with France and with the other international students you meet here. www.francealumni.fr/en
A rapidly expanding social network with a professional twist
Launched in 2014, France Alumni now numbers 350,000 alumni and 3,000 partner organizations, 750 of them business enterprises. The worldwide network has an international website and local sites in 125 countries and 34 languages.
A space for exchange
France Alumni is designed for international students who are attending or have graduated from a French postsecondary institution. It enables those students and alumni to meet and communicate with others through participation in thematic groups (4,700 participants in 240 groups). Representative groups are devoted to careers in France after graduation, environmental and climate issues, French culinary arts, making connections with students who took the same academic path you did, and getting the most out of your training.
Cultural events
Campus France and its regional offices organize events to which members of the France Alumni network are invited. Examples include lectures, open houses, online courses, happy hours, tours of educational institutions, and outings.
Professional opportunities
Numerous partners (companies, educational institutions) post notices of job openings and internships in France and around the world.
Each year, more than 100,000 international students graduate with a degree from a French educational institution
How much does it cost?
The cost of daily living may be up to twice as high in paris as in other regions of France
Food, meals
- 1 baguette: €0.90
- 1 coffee: €1-2
- 1 camembert: €2
- 1 croissant: €1
- 1 kg of pasta: €1
- 1 kg of potatoes: €1.45
- 1 kg of rice: €1.70
- 1 liter of milk: €1
- 6 eggs: €1.50
- 1 meal at a university dining facility: €3.30
- 1 fast-food meal: €8
- 1 dinner at a neighborhood restaurant: €10-20
- 1 sandwich: €3-8
Health
Medical consultations
- General practitioner: starting at €25 (€16.50 reimbursed by the national insurance system).
- Psychiatrist, neurologist: starting at €39 (€26.30 reimbursed).
- Gynecologist, ophthalmologist: starting at €30 (€20 reimbursed).
- Specialist: starting at €25 (€16.50 reimbursed).
- Dentist: at least €30 (depending on treatment).