Visa & Immigration
The procedures students meet most often, each with the steps involved, a verification date and a link to the official source.
General information, not legal advice
Everything on this page is general information about publicly documented procedures. It is not legal advice and does not create any right or expectation. Individual cases depend on your file, your nationality and the authority handling it. For a decision that affects your status, consult a qualified professional or the competent administration.
Choose your situation
Open a card to see the typical steps. Dates show when we last checked the official source.
The standard route for international students pursuing programmes longer than 90 days. This process typically begins after you have secured an admission decision from a French educational institution.
- 1Secure admission
- 2Complete the pre-consular procedure
- 3Book the consular appointment
- 4Submit biometrics and file
- 5Collect the visa and plan arrival
A long-stay visa (VLS-TS) acts as a residence permit and *must* be validated online through the ANEF platform within three months of your arrival in France to remain legal.
- 1Create your account online
- 2Enter visa details
- 3Declare your arrival date and address
- 4Pay the applicable tax
- 5Save the confirmation
The 'Administration Numérique des Étrangers en France' (ANEF) is the mandatory online portal used for most residence permit procedures, including initial VLS-TS validation, renewals, and updating personal information.
- 1Create or recover your account
- 2Choose the correct procedure
- 3Upload readable PDFs
- 4Track the status
- 5Download the receipt (attestation)
Residence permit renewal applications typically open a defined period (usually 2-4 months) before your current permit expires. Starting late is the most common reason for complications and delays.
- 1Check your expiry date now
- 2Gather proof of enrolment, resources and address
- 3Submit within the renewal window
- 4Keep the receipt
- 5Respond quickly to any request for documents
Moving affects your residence file, housing aid, social security and bank records.
- 1Update your residence-permit file
- 2Update social security
- 3Update CAF
- 4Update your bank and school
- 5Set up mail forwarding
If your residence permit is lost or stolen, you will typically need to file a declaration of loss/theft and then submit a replacement request, with a temporary receipt covering your legal stay in the interim.
- 1Declare the loss or theft
- 2Prepare identity and photo documents
- 3File the replacement request
- 4Keep the receipt with you
- 5Inform your institution
Refusals usually come with a stated reason and a deadline. Deadlines are short — act immediately.
- 1Read the decision and note every date
- 2Identify the exact stated reason
- 3Collect corrective evidence
- 4Seek qualified legal support
- 5Respect all deadlines
Several routes exist for job search, employment or entrepreneurship after a French diploma.
- 1Check eligibility linked to your diploma
- 2Prepare before your current permit expires
- 3Document your project or job offer
- 4File within the correct window
- Note your permit expiry date and the renewal window today
- Keep every receipt (récépissé) and confirmation email
- Declare address changes promptly
- Keep enrolment certificates for each academic year
- Never let your status lapse while waiting for an appointment
Deadlines are short and strict
Beware of paid “fast-track” intermediaries
Related guides
Sources & disclaimer
France Student Hub publishes general information only. It is not legal advice and does not replace an official decision from an administration, consulate or institution. Every page shows when it was last checked and links to the official source so you can verify before you act.
If a rule affects your status, confirm it with the relevant official body or a qualified professional before you act on it.