Some paperwork

Student visa requirements

For stays of less than three months

It is enough to submit a valid passport or identity card, and short-term visa ('visa de court séjour - études de courte durée') where required. Once in France, it is not possible to convert a short-term visa into a long-term residence permit.

For stays longer than three months

The case depends whether you are a citizen of the European Union or not.

• If you are a EU citizen, you may apply for a residence permit (but it is not mandatory). The permit is valid for one year and is issued free of charge to students enrolled in a French educational institution.
• If you are not a EU citizen, it is necessary to complete compulsory formalities, in your country of origin (long-term visa) and in France (residence permit).
  
  

Please check your particular situation on the web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Obtaining a visa in your country of origin

Visas are issued by the French consulates. Enquire at the consulate nearest to your place of residence. Documents to be presented include :

• a passport
• a letter of acceptance or of invitation (researchers) from the ParisTech institute where you are admitted,
• documentary evidence of financial resources, social security and medical cover, and lodging (hotel reservation, housing certificate, ...)
• a proof of your capacity to return to your home country (e.g. a flight ticket)

Applying for a residence permit

When you arrive at your ParisTech institute, the Admissions department will give you directions for the formalities, which mainly include applying for a residence permit.

Where and when ?

Application should be made at the immigration offices within 3 months of your arrival.

• For EU citizens:
  Préfecture de Police - Service «étrangers»
  7 boulevard du Palais - 75004 Paris
  (8.35 a.m. to 5.25 p.m.) Tel. : +33 (0)1 53 71 51 68
• For non-EU citizens:
  Préfecture de Police - Centre de réception des étudiants étrangers
  13 rue Miollis - 75015 Paris
  Tel. : +33 (0)1 53 71 51 68

What is necessary to get the residence permit ?

• A certificate of registration in an educational institution
• Proof of medical expense insurance
• Proof of housing
• Proof of income or resources
• 2 passport-type photos
• A stamped envelope with your address

Non-EU citizens should provide additionally:

• A fiscal stamp costing about 35 Euros, to be bought at a tobacconist's
• A health certificate delivered after a medical examination at the Office des Migrations Internationales

Validity of the residence permit

The residence permit is delivered for the duration of your studies, but for a maximum of one year. Renewal should be applied for 2 months before expiry; a 26 Euro tax is due.

Additional information

The Schengen area

Ten of the EU countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain) have signed the Schengen agreemeent which regulates circulation of people among them and related security matters.
It is allowed to travel freely within the whole area if one holds a travel or residence title for any one of the member countries.

Consulate

All students, whether from the EU or not, are advised to register with their home country Consulate in Paris.

Links for more complete information

>> site of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
>> site of the French Ministry of Education,
>> site of the official agency Egide