Visas and Residence Permits

Do you come from a country outside of the European Union (except Algerian citizens) and are conducting research or teaching at a university in France for more than 90 days? The « Passeport Talent Chercheur » (researcher – talent passport) residence permit is made for you!

Are you an Algerian citizen and conducting research or teaching at a French university for more than 90 days? The « scientifique – chercheur » (scientist-researcher) resident status is made for you.

When you are a PhD student, eligibility requirements for the visa and residence permit « Passeport Talent Chercheur » or « Scientifique – Chercheur » may vary based on your situation.

You are a PhD student registered with a French university (in a PhD program or an international joint thesis program) and you will stay in France for more than 90 days.

Your spouse will be joining you in France for more than 90 days and is from a non-European country (outside of the EU / the European Economic Area / Switzerland)? Spouses of researchers will need a long-stay visa to enter France and a residence permit to be legally staying in France.

For visa and residence permits for stays over 90 days, what are the rules for children under and over 18?

Individuals in possession of a visa with the designation “student” and “CESEDA R311-3 6°” for a period of more than three months are exempt from applying for a temporary residence permit during their first year in France.
Holders of this visa must have their visa approved, making it a “valid residence permit”. This process is mandatory for all holders of this visa.

Individuals in possession of a long-stay visa with the designation “student” and “residence permit to be requested” (carte de séjour à solliciter) must request a residence permit from the police headquarters of their place of residence in the first two months after their arrival in France. The same applies for holders of a short-stay residence permit with the reference “competition student” (« étudiant concours ») who passed the test for which the visa was issued.

Students who wish to stay in France after the expiration date of their residence permit must apply for a renewal through the police headquarters (préfecture) of their place of residence three months before the expiration date on their residence permit.

Foreign students who have recently earned a French professional degree or the equivalent of a master’s degree or higher may be issued a provisional, non-renewable 12 months residence permit.