Before arriving in France – Obtaining a Visa
You are recruited as a researcher/doctoral student
During the recruitment process, the employer establishes the hosting agreement (Cerfa form) that will allow you to apply for your long-stay visa (for recruitments > 3 months).
► Your employer is the ENS, ESPCI, SU: the HR division sends you your hosting agreement by DHL, to the address of your choice.
► Your employer is the CNRS: the CNRS sends you your hosting agreement.
You must take the original of this hosting agreement with you to France.
You are recruited as a BIATSS/ITA
Your future employer requests a work permit for you. This document will be sent to you by the HR department and will allow you to apply for an “employee” visa.
How to choose the type of visa adapted to your situation
► The Welcome Desk can help you define which type of visa is right for you
► Use the visa assistant.
Where to apply for a visa?
The visa application must be made at least 2 months before departure for France at a French consulate in your country of residence. The French embassy or consulate will be able to inform you about the procedure to follow to obtain your visa.
Upon arrival in France
Validating your visa or requesting a residency permit
You have a VLS-TS (long-stay visa validating your residence permit)
► The long-stay visa validating a residence permit, or VLS-TS , exempts you from applying for a residence permit for 1 year.
You must validate your VLS-TS on the ANEF website by entering your visa number.
► The confirmation of validation of your VLS-TS is to be sent to the HR division.
When it expires, you will need to apply for a residence permit to stay in France.
You have a long-stay visa marked “residence permit to be applied for”
► You must apply for a residence permit on the ANEF website
► List of required supporting documents: hosting agreement, passport, visa, birth certificate, highest diploma, work contract, passport photo, proof of address.
► The receipt and the residence permit is to be provided to the HR division
Renewal of the residence permit
In case of extension or renewal of your contract, you will have to renew your residence permit via the ANEF website.
► If you are a researcher, you will receive a new hosting agreement allowing you to do this
► If you are a BIATSS/ITA, your new employment contract will allow you to renew your residence permit
► The receipt and your new residence permit are to be sent to the HR division
► For contracts of 3 months or less, only the receipt is issued and attests to the regular situation in France (no new residence permit).