FAQ Visas and residence permits

► Long-Stay Visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS) or "student" residence card

► Specific case: Algerian students

► Long-Stay Visa (VLS), Long-Stay Visa valid a as residence permit (VLS-TS) or "researcher-talent passport" residence card

► "Job seeker/New business creator" residence permit

1. About online validation of the VLS-TS:

► I am a student of foreign nationality, I have just arrived in France and I hold a Long-Stay Visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS), what should I do?

► I am a foreign student holding a VLS-TS with the mention "mineur scolarisé” (“minor in school"), what should I do?

► I have validated my visa via the ANEF website, I have received a PDF document in which it mentions that I need to have a medical check-up. Which institution do I need to go to for the medical check-up?

2. About the application for a "student" residence permit (first application, renewal, change of status):

► Am I concerned by the new online procedure?

You are concerned by the online procedure if you wish to apply for a "student" residence permit (first application or renewal) and you are in possession of a long-stay visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS) or a valid "student" residence permit.

Attention: if your visa or residence permit has expired for less than 6 months, you can apply online but you will have to pay a fine of 180€. For all other cases (short-stay visas and visas or residence permits that have expired for more than 6 months) you do not have access to the online procedure, go to the website of the Préfecture of your place of residence to find out how to proceed.

► I am a foreign student with an "au pair" VLS-TS or residence permit.

Holders of an "au pair" visa or residence permit cannot apply for a "student" residence permit on the ANEF website. Go to the website of the Préfecture of your place of residence to find out how to change your status from "au pair" residence permit to "student" residence permit.

3. Problems encountered when applying for a "student" residence permit on the ANEF website:

4. Miscellaneous questions:

► When do I have to take the steps to renew my residence permit or my VLS-TS?

You must submit your application to renew your residence permit or VLS-TS at least 2 months before its expiry date. If you do not respect this deadline, the Préfecture will make you pay a fine (180 €) and you run the risk of having your renewal application rejected.

► I have a receipt (“récépissé”) that expires soon. I am afraid of losing my job and/or financial assistance benefits if I do not receive my residence permit before my receipt expires.

Ten (10) days before your receipt expires, you can request a new receipt. Go to the Préfecture website of your place of residence to find out how to proceed.

► I have a receipt (“récépissé”) for my first application for a residence permit and I wish to travel outside France. Does this document allow me to return to French territory?

A receipt of first application does not allow you to return to France.
Travel is only possible with a receipt for renewal/modification of a residence permit, if the receipt is valid and is accompanied by the permit to be renewed, and if you also hold a valid passport. Furthermore, it is essential to return to French territory before the receipt expires.

► I am a foreign student with a VLS-TS and I can't open a bank account because the banks require a residence permit.

You must explain to your contact person at the bank that your VLS-TS is a long-stay visa which is equivalent to a residence permit. This visa is your first residence permit despite the fact that it is in your passport and you have the right to open a bank account with this document.

► I am a student of foreign nationality; I have been asked to apply for a Provisional Work Authorisation (“Autorisation Provisoire de Travail” - APT) in addition to my application. Is this normal?

If you are on a professional, apprenticeship or work-study contract whose working hours exceed 964 hours per year, it is normal that you will be asked to provide an APT in addition to your application. Contact the DIRECCTE  to request this document.

► I am a student of foreign nationality holding an asylum seeker's certificate (“attestation de demandeur d’asile”); I would like to renew my certificate or obtain a residence permit.

You must go to the OFPRA department that issued your asylum seeker's certificate.

► I am a student of Algerian nationality with a three-month visa. When do I have to start my first application for a residence permit?

You must apply for a residence permit as soon as you arrive in France, at least 2 months before your visa expires.

► I am a student of Algerian nationality. How can I apply for a Provisional Work Authorisation (“Autorisation Provisoire de Travail” - APT)?

You must contact the DIRECCTE. This is the body responsible for issuing APT’s to Algerian students.

► What is a hosting agreement (“convention d’accueil”)?

The hosting agreement is an administrative document which specifies the nature and duration of the work entrusted to the researcher or doctoral student. It also specifies the resources, accommodation conditions and medical cover that the beneficiary enjoys. The hosting agreement must be sent by the host institution to the beneficiary. You must provide it when you apply for a long-stay scientific visa "passeport talent - chercheur" at the French consulate in your country of origin before your departure, or for the renewal of your residence permit if you are already in France. Nationals of a country of the European Union, the European Economic Area, Switzerland or Romania do not need to obtain a hosting agreement. The same applies to Algerian doctoral students whose situation is governed by the Franco-Algerian agreements of 27th December 1968.

If you are registered as a doctoral student in a French higher education institution without a hosting agreement, the "student" status is applicable.

►How to validate your VLS "passport talent - researcher"?

For a stay of less than 12 months, you have a visa that is equivalent to a residence permit, called the VLS-TS "passeport talent - chercheur". It is valid for one year. Within three months of your arrival in France, you must validate your visa online.

Attention: If you have not done this within 3 months, you will no longer be in a regular migratory situation on French territory and, as a result, you will not be able to cross the border of the Schengen area again.

For a stay of 12 months or more, you will first need a simple "passeport talent - chercheur" visa. It is valid for three months and is not equivalent to a residence permit. Within two months of your arrival in France, you must go to the Préfecture of your place of residence to apply for your multi-year "passeport talent - chercheur" residence permit. It is valid for the same duration as the hosting agreement, up to a limit of 4 years.

► Can I travel with a long-stay "passport talent - researcher" visa?

The situation varies according to the duration of your visa and the validation procedure linked to it.
• With a VLS-TS "passeport talent - chercheur" multiple-entry visa valid for one year, you can travel freely within the Schengen area for the first three months following your entry into France. Beyond these three months, it is compulsory to have validated your VLS-TS.
• With a "passeport talent - chercheur" visa, you are free to enter and leave the Schengen area during the first three months following your entry into France. After that, you will need to be in possession of your residence permit to travel outside France.

► Can I work with a VLS "passport talent - researcher"?

If you have a long-stay visa or a "passeport talent - chercheur" residence permit, you are free to carry out the professional activity in France provided for in your hosting agreement.

► I am planning to register for a university degree (DU), can I apply for a "Job seeker/New business creator" residence permit at the end of my training?

You cannot apply for a "Job seeker/New business creator" residence permit because your course (DU) does not entitle you to apply for one.

► How long is a "Job seeker/New business creator" residence permit valid?

The "Job seeker/New business creator" residence permit is valid for one year and cannot be renewed.

► I have just obtained my "Job seeker/New business creator" residence permit. Can I apply for another residence permit before it expires?

Before the permit expires, if you can prove that you have the right to apply for a residence permit:
- a job or a promise of employment "with remuneration above a threshold set by decree and modulated, if necessary, according to the level of qualification concerned.”
OR
- a project to set up a business in a field corresponding to your training or research
you can then apply for a change of status to obtain a "PASSEPORT TALENT" or "WORKER / TEMPORARY WORKER" residence permit depending on your situation.