Immigration

This page summarizes the main rules regulating the entry, residence and right to work in France (teaching, research and internships).

Entering France

  • Holders of a passport or an identity card from a State in the European Union may freely enter French territory.
  • Holders of a resident card or a visa issued by a State in the Schengen area may freely enter French territory for a period of no more than 90 days over a 180-day period.
  • Holders of a passport issued by one of the States listed here may also freely enter French territory for a period of no more than 90 days over a 180-day period.
  • In all other cases, a visa must be requested through the French Consulate closest to your home address.

Residing in France

  • Holders of a passport or identity card issued by a State in the European Union are free to remain on French territory with no restrictions to duration.
  • Holders of a resident card issued by a State in the Schengen area cannot reside in France unless they have obtained a type D visa through the French Consulate prior to arrival, except in exceptional cases*.
  • In all other cases, a type D visa must be requested through the French Consulate authorities in your home country prior to arrival in France.

Exceptional cases

*Holders of an EC resident card issued by another EU Member State may enter and remain in France without needing a long-stay visa (for visits of over 3 months). Those with a hosting agreement concluded in another European State may request a resident card at the Prefecture of their place of residence by presenting the hosting agreement drawn up with an organization in France. In the case of an intra-European mobility program, the student or researcher holding a resident card issued by another EU State may stay for up to 12 months in France, provided that the competent authorities are duly notified of their stay by their host institution.

Working in France

  • Holders of a passport or identity card issued by a European Union Member State are free to work in France with no restrictions.
  • Holders of a resident card issued by a State in the Schengen area cannot access the French job market without a work permit, except in very specific cases for short scientific visits*.
  • In all other cases, a resident card which authorizes working and/or a work permit are mandatory in order to access to the job market for a period of over three months**.

Exceptional cases

*Scientists-researchers enjoy the right to intra-European mobility. If the hosting agreement was established in another European Member State (or an associated country), they may carry out their research over a period of maximum 3 months with their scientists-researcher resident card issued by another Member State or an associated country.

**A researcher or lecturer-researcher traveling to France for a stay of less than three months and receiving payment at a conference, scientific symposium or a course given on a one-off basis, does not need to apply for a work permit.

For a research / teaching stay

  • The visa status requested is "Passeport Talent - Chercheur" (Talent passport-researcher)
  • The supporting document is the "Convention d'accueil scientifique" (scientific hosting agreement)

 Purpose of stay in France

Purpose of stay

Visa status and/or resident card must be requested

Supporting documents for visa and/or resident card application

Undergraduate and graduate students

"Etudiant"
(Student)

Enrolment in a French higher education institution

Doctoral student with a scholarship or using own resources

"Etudiant"
(Student)

Enrolment in a French higher education institution

Doctoral student under doctoral contract or with resources equal or superior to the net monthly minimum wage

"Passeport Talent - Chercheur"(Talent passport - researcher)

"Convention d'accueil scientifique"
(Scientific hosting agreement)

Doctoral student enrolled
at a foreign institution

"Passeport Talent - Chercheur"(Talent passport - researcher)

"Convention d'accueil scientifique"
(Scientific hosting agreement)

Research / Teaching

"Passeport Talent - Chercheur"(Talent passport - researcher)

"Convention d'accueil scientifique"
(Scientific hosting agreement)

Internship

"Stagiaire"
(Intern)

"Convention de stage"(Internship agreement)

Please note

In order to benefit from the Welcome Center for International Researchers' immigration related services you must be formally hosted by a French higher education institution in Bordeaux and be registered on the EURAXESS France database.

Updated on 25/07/2019

Contact

Welcome Center for International Researchers

166 Cours de l'Argonne
33000 Bordeaux

+33 5 56 33 80 88
Contact by email