FAQ on student visas and residence permits

To determine whether you need to apply for a visa for your stay in France, simply visit our website Online Welcome Desk, which will guide you step by step through your installation procedures or the France Visa website.

It depends on your situation.

If you are a non-EU national legally residing in another EU member state and you hold a residence permit marked “long-term resident – EU”, you may enter and stay in France for more than three months without applying for a long-stay visa. However, you must apply for a French student residence permit at the competent prefecture within three months of your arrival in France.

If you do not hold a “long-term resident – EU” permit—for example, if you have a student residence permit or a work permit issued by another European country such as Italy or Spain—you must apply for a long-stay student visa at the French consulate in your country of residence.

If you hold a residence permit with the mention “studies – mobility program” in another European country, you are not required to obtain a long-stay student visa to study in France. However, your host institution in France must notify your mobility project to the minister responsible for immigration in France.

The mobility notification can be carried out:

· At the time of submitting the residence permit application in the first member country, if the mobility is already planned at that stage

· Or after the residence permit has been issued in the first member country, as soon as the mobility project to France is known.

For more information: https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/R53674

No. Visa processing times are determined by the French authorities only, and Université Paris-Saclay cannot intervene in or expedite the process.

You may indicate a temporary address in your visa application form. This can be the address of a friend, or a provisional accommodation such as hotel or an Airbnb. It is important to specify in your visa application that this is a temporary address, while you are in the process of finding stable and permanent housing.

Any visa refusal must be duly justified by the consular authorities.

In the event of a refusal, you have several options:

You may submit a new visa application to the competent French consulate, adding any additional information and/or supporting documents;

You may file an appeal directly with the Consul of France, asking them to review their decision;

Finally, you may refer the case to the Commission for Appeals against Visa Refusals (CRRV) within 30 days following the notification of the refusal decision, or following the implicit refusal if you do not receive a reply from the French consulate within two months of submitting your long-stay visa application. Please note that this step is a mandatory prerequisite before filing any appeal with the administrative court. For more information : https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F16162

If your visa has been approved later than expected, please contact your course manager and your administrative officer as soon as possible to inform them of your situation. They will let you know the latest authorized date for late arrival. After this deadline, it will unfortunately no longer be possible to attend the program to which you have been admitted at the university.

You are required to validate your visa as soon as you arrive in France.

Validating your long-stay visa (VLS-TS) exempts you from applying for a residence permit at the prefecture. You have a period of three months from your date of entry into France to complete this procedure. Validation of your VLS-TS is also necessary in order to register with the French social security system, will allow you to work legally, access healthcare services, and benefit from the social entitlements you are eligible for.

Your case will have to be processed by the prefecture. We recommend that you consult the website of your local prefecture to learn more about reception arrangements and the procedures for making an appointment.

Perform some basic technical checks:

Make sure you are using a compatible browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

Try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, as this may solve the issue.

Contact the Citizen Contact Center if your technical checks do not resolve the problem. It is recommended to take screenshots to document the technical difficulties you are experiencing and, if necessary, to prove that you attempted to comply with the legal deadlines for validating your VLS-TS or applying for a residence permit.

By phone: 0806 001 620 (free call from a landline)

Via the online form: available on the ANEF website, this form allows you to report any technical problems encountered.

Use a Digital Access Point (PAN): If you do not have the necessary computer equipment or if you need assistance, you can go to a Digital Access Point (PAN). These spaces, available in several prefectures, allow you to use a computer with the support of trained digital mediators who can assist you.

Contact the French consulate by email that issued your visa if the technical issue you are experiencing is related to your visa number.

Finally, if despite all your attempts and the assistance received the problem persists, please contact the International Welcome Desk at visa.etudiant@universite-paris-saclay.fr.

If your residence permit is valid for 12 months or less, you do not need to declare your change of address.

However, if you have a residence permit valid for more than one year, you must report your new permanent address to the prefecture responsible for your area within three months of moving.

If you hold a long-stay visa (VLS) with the “student” designation valid for three months and have just arrived in France, you must submit your first application for an Algerian residence certificate with the mention “student” within two months of your arrival in France, via the ANEF online platform : Ressortissants algériens : Vous avez un Visa Long Séjour (VLS) mention "étudiant" et "carte de séjour à solliciter dans les deux mois" 

1. Check a few basic points:

· Make sure you are using a compatible browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

· Try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, as this can sometimes solve the problem.

2. If it still does not work, contact the Citizen Contact Center (Centre Contact Citoyen):

· Take screenshots of the issue. These may serve as proof that you respected the deadlines.

· Call 0806 001 620 (free of charge from a landline in France).

· Or complete the online form available on the ANEF website (the official platform for administrative procedures).

3. Go to a Digital Access Point (PAN):

· If you do not have access to a computer or need assistance, you can go to a PAN.

· These are available in several prefectures.

· You will find computers and trained staff who can help you there.

4. If the problem is related to your visa number, contact the French consulate that issued your visa.

5. If, despite all these steps, the problem persists:

· Send an email to the International Welcome Desk at Université Paris-Saclay: visa.etudiant@universite-paris-saclay.fr

No. The confirmation of submission is not a temporary residence document. It does not justify the legality of your stay in France.

Generally, it takes about 3 months to receive a response. This is also the duration of your long-stay visa. However, in many prefectures, processing times are longer. Sometimes it can take more than 4 months.

In some prefectures, the processing of residence permit applications can take longer. If you submitted your application more than 2 months ago and have not received any updates on your ANEF account, you can contact the International Welcome Desk at Université Paris-Saclay: visa.etudiant@universite-paris-saclay.fr.

1. First application for the Algerian residence certificate (CRA) – “student” status:

If you submitted your first CRA application with the “student” status on the ANEF platform and received a certificate of processing extension, here is what you need to know:

· This certificate confirms the legality of your stay in France for the period indicated, but:

o You cannot work, even part-time.

o You cannot travel outside France or cross Schengen borders.

o You do not have access to social benefits (e.g., health insurance, financial aid).

2. Renewal of the Algerian residence certificate – “student” status:

If you submitted a renewal request for your CRA with “student” status on ANEF and received a certificate of processing extension:

· The certificate confirms the legality of your stay in France for the period indicated.

· It extends the rights associated with your previous residence permit (e.g., access to French social security).

· You can normally travel and move within the Schengen area if you carry your expired residence permit.

· However, you cannot work, unless your employer has applied for and obtained a work authorization for you.

When the prefecture approves your residence permit, you receive a favorable decision certificate in your ANEF account.

· This certificate is provided while your residence permit is being prepared.

· You will collect your residence permit at a scheduled appointment at the prefecture.

· The certificate proves that you are legally residing in France for the period indicated, which corresponds to the validity of your future residence permit.

· With this certificate, you can travel and cross Schengen borders. It is recommended to re-enter the EU through France.

· Important: You cannot work with this certificate unless your employer has obtained a work authorization for you.

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2733

To renew your student residence permit (VLS-TS, residence card, or Algerian residence certificate), you must submit your application on the ANEF platform. You should apply between 120 days and 60 days before your current permit expires. For example, if your residence permit expires on September 15, 2025, you must apply between May 15, 2025, and July 15, 2025. If you submit your application after July 15, it will be considered late.

If your renewal application is late, you may have to pay a €180 fine, in addition to the usual renewal fees. You may also lose certain rights, including: the right to stay in France, the right to work, the right to receive certain benefits, the right to travel freely within the Schengen area.

Please see the dedicated page.https://www.universite-paris-saclay.fr/en/vie-de-campus/accueil-des-pub…

Step 1: Check some basic things

- Use a compatible web browser, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

- Try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, as this can sometimes solve the problem.

Step 2: Contact the Citizen Contact Center (Centre Contact Citoyen) if the issue persists

- Take screenshots of the problem, which can serve as proof that you respected the deadlines.

- Call 0806 001 620 (free from a landline).

- Or fill out the online form available on the ANEF website to report technical issues.

Step 3: Go to a Digital Access Point (Point d’Accès Numérique, PAN)

- If you do not have a computer or need assistance, you can go to a PAN.

- These are available in several prefectures.

- You will have access to a computer and trained staff to help you.

Step 4: If the issue is related to your visa number, please contact the French consulate that issued your visa.

Step 5: If the problem continues despite all attempts. Send an email to the International Welcome Desk at Université Paris-Saclay: visa.etudiant@universite-paris-saclay.com

Yes, you can submit your application even if some documents are missing.

It is very important to submit your request between 4 and 2 months before your current permit expires.

If you are missing documents (e.g., transcript or certificate of completion), it is recommended to submit your application anyway.

In your ANEF account, in the “Observations for the administration” section, indicate the estimated date when the missing documents will be available.

You can also attach a letter from your institution explaining when you will receive these documents.

The prefecture will ask you to complete your application later once you have the missing documents.

The average processing time is 2 to 4 months, though it can be longer in some prefectures.

If you have not received a response from the prefecture more than two months after submitting your renewal request on ANEF, we recommend contacting the International Welcome Desk at Université Paris-Saclay: visa.etudiant@universite-paris-saclay.com

When applying to renew a student residence permit, you must demonstrate that your studies in France are genuine and serious. Frequent absences may require supporting documentation, such as medical certificates, explaining the reasons for these absences.

Repeating a single year usually does not prevent the renewal of your residence permit. However, a second failure in the same cycle, especially when combined with poor attendance, could lead the prefecture to refuse your permit renewal.

Failing a single year generally does not affect the renewal of your residence permit. However, after two consecutive failures, the prefecture may consider that you are not making sufficient academic progress and may question whether your studies are genuine and serious. This could lead to a refusal to renew your student residence permit.

In this situation, it is very important to be able to explain your circumstances and to provide supporting documents (medical certificates, the death certificate of a close relative, a certificate from a psychologist or other healthcare professional confirming personal or adjustment difficulties, letters from professors, etc.) to show that these difficulties had a genuine impact on your academic progress.

We also recommend scheduling an appointment with the International Welcome Desk at Université Paris-Saclay to discuss your situation and receive guidance: visa.etudiant@universite-paris-saclay.com.

Processing times for residence permit applications can vary depending on the prefecture and the time of year. If you submitted your application more than two

months ago and have not received any updates on your ANEF account, you can contact the International Welcome Desk at Université Paris-Saclay: visa.etudiant@universite-paris-saclay.fr.

Please note that in some prefectures, processing times may be longer.

If the prefecture considers that renewing your student residence permit is not justified, your application may be refused.

In most cases, a refusal comes with an Obligation to Leave French Territory (OQTF). From the date you receive this decision by mail, you generally have 30 days, sometimes less, to voluntarily leave France.

There are three types of appeals, which can be used together:

Ø Request for reconsideration (recours gracieux): Write to the prefect asking him/her to reconsider his/her decision, highlighting any relevant information that may not have been considered.

Ø Hierarchical appeal (recours hiérarchique): Similar to the request for reconsideration, but addressed to the Minister of the Interior, challenging the prefect’s decision through their superior.

Ø Judicial appeal (recours contentieux): This involves taking your case to the administrative court to request the annulment of the prefecture’s decision and a re-examination of your file.

Deadlines for contesting prefectural decisions in court are very short. It is therefore strongly recommended to seek advice and legal assistance from an immigration lawyer in such cases.

If you do not have sufficient financial resources to defend your rights, you may be eligible for legal aid (aide juridictionnelle). If you meet the eligibility criteria, the state may cover all or part of your court fees and lawyer’s fees.

For more information, you can consult: 

· Service-public: Legal aid for foreigners 

· National Council of Bars: Legal aid for foreigners

We also recommend scheduling an appointment with the International Welcome Desk at Université Paris-Saclay to discuss your situation.

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F18074

https://www.avocat.fr/laide-juridictionnelle-en-faveur-des-etrangers

We also recommend that you schedule an appointment with the International Welcome Desk at Université Paris-Saclay to discuss your situation. visa.etudiant@universite-paris-saclay.com

No, you are not concerned. Long-stay visas with the mention “minor enrolled in school” cannot be validated on the ANEF platform and do not allow you to apply for a residence permit.

Within two months after reaching the age of majority (18 years old), you must submit an application for a student residence permit at the prefecture via the “Démarches Numériques” platform. We encourage you to check the Démarches Numériques website corresponding to your prefecture of residence.

In this case, we invite you to schedule an appointment with the International Welcome Desk of Université Paris-Saclay in order to assess your situation: visa.etudiant@universite-paris-saclay.com

If you passed an entrance exam or competition for which you came to France, and you have been accepted into a university or higher education institution, you can apply for a student residence permit without going back to your home country. You will need to show proof that you passed, such as a certificate of success or another official document.

To submit your application, go to the “Démarches Numériques” website linked to your prefecture in order to file your first application for a student residence permit. If you live in Essonne, here is the relevant link: Démarches Numériques

No, you must leave French territory. If you plan to pursue studies in France, you will need to apply for a long-stay student visa at the appropriate French consulate in your country of residence.