Passports and Visas

OBTAINING A PASSPORT
We highly recommend that students look to the government's passport service web site to obtain the most recent information on passport procedures.
http://travel.state.gov

OBTAINING A VISA
Depending upon the duration of their time abroad students will need to obtain either a long stay or short stay visa. Please read the information below carefully to find out which one you will need to apply for.

Long Stay Student Visas
Two types of long-stay student visas are available. This depends upon the length of the period of study in France, as indicated in the letter of enrollment.

1. Temporary long stay visa: This visa is valid for a period of study from 3 to 6 months. Students may leave and return to France at will. There is no "carte de séjour" (residency card) requested for this visa. However there is no possibility to extend one's stay in France.
2. One-year visa (for a stay of over 6 months): This visa is valid for one entry into France during a specified three-month period. After arriving in France, preferably within one week of arrival, students must request their "carte de séjour" (residency card) at the "Préfecture de Police". At this time it is required that students undergo a medical examination by a doctor from the Office des Migrations Internationales.

Requirements For Visas (for students over 18) (for both short and long term visas):

• A passport signed and valid for a period of three months beyond the applicant's last day of stay in France + 1 photocopy
• 2 long stay visa application forms legibly filled out and signed
• 2 passport-size photographs, one glued on each form
• A letter of admission (pre-enrollment) from the school which the applicant plans to attend to in France + 1 copy
• Financial guarantee such as a notarized statement certifying that the applicant will be provided with a monthly allowance of $600 for the duration of the stay in France, or a proof of personal income along with a letter from the school stating that room, board and tuition are fully prepaid + 1 copy
• Visa fee
• Medical insurance:

For a stay of up to 6 months: when applying for a visa, the student should present a letter from their insurance company stating that coverage is valid in France (+ 1 copy)

For a stay of over 6 months: after their arrival in France, students under 28 years old and enrolled in a French school are affiliated with the French social security system and therefore must join this social security for the length of their studies. This is verified by the Préfecture when the students apply for the year long stay residency card. The reimbursement of medical expenses amounts to 70%. For the remaining 30%, these students have the choice of joining a French student insurance OR making use of their own insurance with worldwide coverage (a letter from the insurance company is required). However those students over 28 years old, or enrolled in a French school not affiliated with the French social security, are not able to enroll in the French social security system and must therefore show proof of insurance with coverage valid in France when they apply for the visa and for the residency card.

*Please Note: IF UNDER 18 at the date of arrival in France, please contact the Consulate and ask for the special visa application packet for minors.

*Please Note: RECIPIENTS OF FRENCH GOVERNMENT, FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS SCHOLARSHIPS:

A scholarship recipient only needs to present the first three items on the above list, plus the letter awarding the scholarship and the length of stay in France + 1 copy. The applicant will also have to go for a medical checkup by a doctor accredited by the Consulate. The medical check up is paid by the applicant but the visa is free of charge.(I don't understand this part)

Short Stay Student Visas
This visa is for stays of up to 3 months. The student should fill out a short stay visa application form but present the same documents required for a long-stay student visa (please refer the "Long Stay Student Visa" section above). This information was provided by the French embassy at: http://www.ambafrance-us.org/