NEW : New long stay visas equivalent to a residence permit As from June the 1st 2009, holders of long stay visas for France (3 months +) will be exempted from applying for a residence permit (carte de sejour) at the Prefecture.

Who does it concern ?
Are affected by this reform: spouses of French Nationals, visitors, students, employees, temporary workers.

Scope of application: Those provisions apply to the French Departements (France and its overseas departments) and St Pierre and Miquelon. They do not apply for stays in New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna and Mayotte.

What it means: As the holder of a long stay visa, you not longer need to apply for a residence permit at the Prefecture. At the time of visa application, the applicant must enclose the « attestation OFII », document that will then need to be posted within 3 months of arrival in France to the local “Delegation territoriale de l’OFII” - Addresses can be found at the back of the Attestation OFII or online at website of the OFII.
Note that this registration process is compulsory and non-compliance will result in the person being considered illegal by the French Authorities. Holders of those visas are free to travel in all Schengen States for stay up to 3 months within the validity of the visa. Processing delays of at least a week (depending of the nationality and the purpose of the stay).

What does not change: The application form; The supporting documents.

These terms do not apply to young Canadians travelling to France as part of the French-Canadian Youth Exchange.

Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada wishing to study in France

for more than 6 months

This procedure applies to students over 18 years of age residing in Western Canada (BC, Alberta, Yukon, NWT) who wish to study in France for more than 3 months, whatever their nationality.

Important :
Canadian citizens travelling on a student exchange program must follow the guideline found in the Canada-France Youth Exchange Agreement.

Procedure

For a stay of more than 90 days, students of any nationality need to hold a visa before departing to France.

The only students exempted from the visa obligation are nationals:

• of the European Union member states

• of the European Economic Trade Area member states

• of Monaco, Switzerland, Andorra and San Marino.

They must however request a residence permit within the first 2 months of arrival into France. Click here to view the EU students webpage.

For a stay of up to 90 days: nationalities exempted from a short stay visa are also exempted from requesting a student visa if the total stay in France does not exceed 90 days.

However, if a student decides to stay one day longer or more after the end of the school period, he/she must apply for a temporary long stay student visa (up to 6 months) BEFORE leaving for France. Visas are never issued once the applicant is in France. They are issued only at the French Consulate nearest the place of residence in the applicant's country. The Consulate General of France in Vancouver has jurisdiction to issue long stay visas only to residents of British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and the North West Territories.

Documents required

Your original passport. Make sure you have signed it. The passport must be valid for at least one year after the intended date of arrival to France.

1 long stay visa application form depending on your nationality (click here to find out). They must be neatly and completely filled out in original writing. Use black or blue ink.

Attach a post-it to one of them stating your intended departure date from Western Canada to France. This information is very important since it will be used to date the visa.This form exists only in French.

Contact us by fax or e-mail if you wish to be sent a translation and guidelines to fill them out properly.

1 original identity photo. Cut to the size indicated on the form and glued to each one of them.

1 recent color photo, format 35mm x 45mm, with a clear plain background. The height must be between 31.5mm and 36mm from chin to crown. The person’s head must be full front view centered in the middle of the photograph. Photos with hat, caps, sunglasses, etc. will not be accepted nor digitized photos.This photo will be scanned in the visa.

The original letter of acceptance from the school, university ("certificat de pré-inscription) or French language institution ("certificat d'inscription définitif") stating that you are registered to attend their courses.

- This letter must indicate the dates of duration of the course. If it is a private school or institution, proof of total or partial payment must be submitted.

- If you are going on a student exchange, include the original of the acceptance letter from your university in Canada in addition to the letter from the university in France.

Proof of financial resources such as:

- a letter from your bank stating that you have an amount in your account equivalent to a minimum of $600 CAN per month of stay in France (up to one year) in addition to the school's tuition fees.

- Or a letter from a guarantor (fill out bilingual form below) stating that you will be provided with a minimum of CAN $600 per month in addition to tuition fees. The guarantor may come in and sign it in front of the visa officer upon presentation of a signed picture ID (plus 2 photocopies) in addition to a letter from his/her bank stating that he/she currently possesses at least that amount multiplied by the number of months you are applying for (original plus 1 photocopy). If your guarantor cannot come in person, he/she must sign this form in the presence of a Notary Public who will then stamp and sign it. Photocopy the form after it has been signed.
If the guarantor resides in France, enclose the proof of his/her financial resources as well as proof of his French nationality (photocopy of the "carte nationale d'identité") and of his status in France if this person is a foreigner living in France. (2 photocopies of each supportive document)

Excess emergency medical insurance valid for the first three months of your stay in France. This insurance covers the part not included in your provincial health plan while you are outside of Canada. Ask your travel agent. For the visa application, submit the original policy brochure (no photocopy needed) as well as the receipt (in original plus one photocopy) detailing what kind of insurance you bought and the dates of coverage.
If you already have insurance for your stay in France, provide supporting documents (letters, policy, receipts, etc.) with your application.
For more information about insurance in France for Canadian citizens only, click here.

Type of visa issued after the application has been approved

Depending on how many months you are registered to attend the school in France, 2 types of visas can be issued :

either a visa for a maximum of 6 months if you are registered up to 6 months or less.

• It cannot be extended while in France. You must leave France before the expiry date of your visa.

• When you return to Canada, you can apply for a new visa covering another academic year at the French consulate nearest your permanent place of residence.

• This visa is valid for multiple entries. Therefore, you may travel in and out of France during the validity of your visa without having to apply for another one.

• This visa does not allow you to enter other countries of the Schengen area. Before traveling outside France, you must check with the Embassy or consulate of the country where you intend to go to find out whether you need a visa or not.

or a long term visa, if you are registered for more than 6 months

• The date of validity stated on this visa (3 months starting one day before your approximate departure date to France) is the period of time you have to enter French territory. After that date, your visa is expired and is no longer valid to enter France.

• This type of visa allows its holder to request a temporary residence permit ("Carte de séjour") at a French Préfecture. You must apply within 2 months after the date of your arrival to France. Living in France without a residence permit is illegal.

• The visa does not mention the date when you must leave France. This is because it is not the visa but the residence permit which determines the length of your stay in France.

• If you wish to stay after the expiration of your residence permit, you need to go to the Prefecture in France to apply for an extension. Make sure to apply ahead of time especially if you plan to leave France temporarily.

Fees

Click here for fees and instructions for payment.

Time process

Once you submit a complete application as requested, the French consulate might be able to issue a visa the same day. However, for landed immigrants of certain nationalities, the process can take up to 2 months.

Contact us by e-mail stating your nationality and status in Canada (landed immigrant or other) to find out how long the process will take and how many forms you need to submit.

Applications are accepted no longer than 3 months prior to departure to France.

Formalities upon arrival to France: immigration - customs

The immigration officer will ask you to show your passport with the visa and may ask you questions about the reason of your stay in France. You will not be asked to show your return air ticket to Canada.

The website of the French Customs Attaché for Canada (Embassy of France in Washington D.C.) answers your questions on what the customs regulation allows you to import to France as a student.

Formalities once in France : residence permit ("carte de séjour")

•  If you have been issued a temporary long stay visa (up to 6 months validity), you do not have to request a residence permit at a French Préfecture. Your passport, the visa and the original documents that you submitted for the visa application are the proof of your legal status in France.

• If you have been issued a long term visa, you must request a residence permit ("carte de séjour") at the Préfecture within 2 months after your arrival. Take with you the original documents you submitted for the visa.

• For your student card and for the residence permit, you may also need a birth registration. Vital Statistics Canada issues several types of birth certificates. You need the one on which your parents'  names and dates of birth appear.

Frequently asked questions :

How can I get a list of French schools or universities ?

You can visit the Campus France Agency's web site.

Is it really necessary for me to have a visa if I stay longer than 3 months ?

Yes. If you are exempted from the visa obligation for a period of 90 days, you become an illegal immigrant if you exceed this limit. When a university or language institution requests you to obtain a visa, it means that you need to have a French student visa issued in your passport prior to departure from Canada.

Can I stay longer than the period I applied for?

A temporary long stay visa valid for a maximum of 6 months cannot be extended. The residence permit obtained by those who obtained a long stay visa valid for 3 months, can be extended in France.

Can the wife/husband and/or children of the student accompany him/her?

Yes, they may apply for a separate visa at the same time as the student.
Each family member must submit his/her own application with proof of financial resources ($1,200 CAN per month per person) and the marriage/birth registration including a certified translation of it. An excess emergency medical insurance valid for the first 3 months of stay in France is also required.
One photocopy has to be joined on to each original document.
If your spouse is already in France, copy of his/her residence permit ("carte de séjour") must also be enclosed.

Can I work in France if a student visa has been issued to me?

Yes, only if a long term student visa has been issued. After your arrival in France and once you have found a potential employer, you can apply for a temporary working permit ("autorisation provisoire de travail") directly at the employment office (DDTEFP - Direction Départementale du Travail de l'Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle) of your place of residence.
Your spouse is not allowed to work.

Can I work after I finish my studies?

If you find a potential employer, it is his responsibility to request authorization to hire you by submitting your file to the DDTEFP (Direction Départementale du Travail de l'Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle). There is one in each "département" in France. If approved, the Immigration office (OMI) will send it to the Consulate nearest your place of residence in Canada who will, in turn, contact you to issue a specific kind of long stay visa that will allow you to enter France to request a residence and a work permit.
French Consulates do not issue work permits.

Can I travel in Europe during my studies?

Your visa does not allow you to travel outside France. You should enquire whether you need a visa or not at the Embassy or consulate of the country you intend to visit.

Can I travel across Europe after my studies?

To travel outside France, you should enquire whether you need a visa at the Embassy or consulate of the country you intend to visit.

Should I keep the original documents with me at all times?

You must keep your passport with you. You are strongly advised to keep a photocopy of it and the "carte de séjour" in a safe place, separate from the original. Also the documents you submitted for the residence permit, in case French authorities such as the police, require to see them.

Can the French Consulate help me if I have problems while I am staying in France?

The role of the French Consulate is limited to processing the visa application. If you wish to lodge a complain, you should contact directly French authorities as well as your country's Embassy or Consulate in France. However, you may inform us.