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.
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**.
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" | Enrolment in a French higher education institution |
Doctoral students with a scholarship or using personal resources which are inferior to 1,415€ net | "Etudiant" | Enrolment in a French higher education institution |
Doctoral students under doctoral contract or with resources equal or superior to 1,415€ net | "Passeport Talent - Chercheur"(Talent passport - researcher) | "Convention d'accueil scientifique" |
Doctoral students enrolled | "Passeport Talent - Chercheur"(Talent passport - researcher) | "Convention d'accueil scientifique" |
Research / Teaching position with resources equal or superior to 1,415€ net | "Passeport Talent - Chercheur"(Talent passport - researcher) | "Convention d'accueil scientifique" |
Internship | "Stagiaire" | "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.
Contact
Welcome Center for International Researchers
166 Cours de l'Argonne
33000 Bordeaux
+33 5 56 33 80 88
Contact by email