Mobility Preparation

For you and your partner (if applicable) :

• Valid passport
• Photo ID
• Birth certificate
• Your family record book, marriage certificate or divorce certificate
• The original hosting agreement, signed by both the head of the approved research organisation and the French consulate in your country, if applicable
• Diplomas and other qualifications

If you have children :

• Children's health and vaccination records
• Their academic record

• The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for European citizens
• Or a certificate from your health insurance provider
• Or, if you have already been affiliated with the French social security system, your old social security certificate
• Or proof of private health insurance and/or repatriation assistance

Make sure you have an international Visa Card before leaving
This should give you enough financial security to cover your initial expenses while you wait for your first payslip/scholarship payment

A non-resident foreigner may open an account in a French bank
In order to open a bank account in France, you must :

• have the legal capacity to do so
• prove your identity
• provide proof of address
• provide the bank with your signature

A "Schengen visa" entry permit. It allows you to travel to any country in the Schengen area for a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period (unless otherwise stated on the sticker)
You do not need to apply for a residence permit
More information on countries in the Schengen area

Your visa is valid for a period between 3 months and 1 year and acts as a residence permit
You do not need to go through any procedures at the prefecture during its validity period (with the exception of Algerian citizens and holders of multi-year permits)
However, you still need to follow a certain procedure at your nearest branch of the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) within 3 months of arriving in France
Please note that without the OFII sticker on your passport, the long-term visa does not constitute a residence permit
You must apply for a residence permit 2 to 5 months before the expiry of your Long-Term Visa/Residence Permit

You must complete the procedure at your nearest branch of the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) within 3 months of your arrival in France

Several options are possible, depending on the type visa you hold :

• Short-term visa: You need to apply for a temporary work permit to be able to legally work and get paid
• Long-Term Visa/Residence Permit for Scientists and Researchers: You can work in accordance with the Hosting Agreement for Foreign Researchers under which the visa was awarded to you. Adding any other work activity will require a change in visa status to that of an Employee
• Long-Term Visa/Residence Permit for Students: You can work as an employee for up to 964 hours per year (or 60% of annual full-time employment) without requiring authorisation

If you exceed the 60% annual limit, you must obtain a temporary work permit from the foreign labour department of your nearest Regional Directorate for Enterprise, Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs, Labour and Employment (DIRECCTE) before starting work
 Algerian citizens are limited to 50% of annual full-time employment and must apply for a temporary work permit to add to their student residence certificate

Once you arrive in France, you can no longer change your visa or its status, except if you obtain contract funding during your doctoral studies. In that case, you can draw up a Hosting Agreement for Foreign Researchers and apply for a status change

This permit can be issued for at least one year. It is designed for non-European foreign nationals (with the exception of Algerian citizens) who possess skills and talents that could contribute to France's economic development and their country of origin. It also aims to support their intellectual, scientific, cultural, humanitarian, or athletic influence in their respective countries
It allows individuals to work within their chosen domain, subject to the project's permitted framework, excluding "regulated" professions like medicine

If you are an Algerian citizen, your status is governed by a special regime in terms of eligibility for the residence permit/certificate of residence and work
The procedure for a long-term visa valid as a residence permit does not apply. You will need to apply for a long-term D-type visa mentioning "titre de séjour à solliciter dans les 2 mois suivant l’arrivée" (residence permit to be applied for within 2 months) at the prefecture of your place of residence

Your visa does not mention being valid as a residence permit?
If your long-term visa contains the abovementioned words or "Ceseda R311-3", you must contact your nearest prefecture to apply for a residence permit within 2 months of arrival in France

You are a doctor and you find a job: what next?
If you hold a student residence permit, once you have completed your doctorate studies, you can apply for a 1-year, non-renewable temporary residence permit (APS), which needs to be done 4 months before the expiration date of your residence permit. The APS aims to help students gain initial work experience or set up a business corresponding to their training
As such, you will have the possibility of continuing research and work in France. In this case, you generally apply to the prefecture for a change of status within 15 days of signing your employment contract
However, this procedure does not apply if you are an Algerian citizen

The Law of 7 March 2016 pertaining to foreigners' rights in France introduced the option to obtain multi-year residence permits
These permits are granted for a maximum of four years, starting from the expiry date of the first one-year permit. They remain valid until the completion of the studies