Before you come to France
You will find a number of documents particularly useful for your police formalities, enrolling at your school, renting somewhere to live, opening a bank account, and many other formalities.
So, whatever you do, don’t forget them!
- Passport or ID card
- Birth certificate
- A visa if you need one (non-EU citizens)
- A certificate that you are enrolled in your original school
- Receipt for your enrolment fees (or the equivalent) in your original school (some universities take some time to produce this certificate so you may provide it after you arrive)
- Certificates of your welfare and healthcare cover, and medical check-up reports (depending on the country)
- Your E111 or E128 (Social Security) form for the European Union
- Proof of income (a photocopy of your parents’ recent payslips is usually enough)
- A dozen or so ID photos (black-and-white or colour, 3.5 x 4.5 cm full bare face on a clear background). They have to be recent, and clearly resemble you
Bring photocopies of your important documents: they will prove useful if your originals get lost or stolen.
Before leaving, remember to write down the important addresses and phone numbers you need to get in touch with the people and organisations that might be able to help you as soon as you get to France, if you have any problems with the administration, an accident or a health problem.
