Minors (Canadian citizens or permanent residents under 18 years of age),

who intend to stay in France for more than 3 months to attend school

This procedure applies to primary school, secondary school and higher education students of any nationality under 18 years of age residing in Western Canada (BC, Alberta, Yukon, NWT) who wish to study in France for more than 3 months.

This procedure does not apply to :

• minors going to France for less than 3 months

• minors going to France for a purpose other than studying

• minors residing in a member state of the European Union or of the European Economic Area going to France for a school trip

• students over 18 years of age who wish to study in a secondary school in France

Procedure

Visa requirements :

Students of all nationalities, including Canadian citizens, under 18 years of age, who intend to study in France for more than 3 months need a visa before departure.

The only students exempted from the visa obligation are nationals:

• of the European Union member states

• of the European Economic Area member states

• of Monaco, Switzerland, Andorra and San Marino

Documents required

 

4 or 6 long stay visa application forms, depending on your nationality (click here to find out) , filled out and signed by your parents (or legal guardian). Each one with a recent photograph cut to the size indicated on the form and glued to each form. Attach a post-it to one of them, stating your approximate intended departure date for France. The visa will be dated one day before this date.
This form does not exist in English. If you wish to have a translation and guidelines to fill it out faxed to you, contact us by e-mail. See address at the bottom of this page.

3 photocopies of the main page (picture and personal data) of your passport. It must be valid at least one year longer after the date of your arrival in France. If applying in person, bring the original passport as well. Make sure the passport has been signed.

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.

A parental consent form (a letter signed by your parents or legal guardian authorizing you to leave Canada and stay with a host family in France).
- A photocopy of a signed proof of identity of the signee(s), such as the passport or drivers licence must be enclosed to this letter.
When applying in person, the parents (or legal guardian) must also bring the original of their identity documents

A host family agreement letter ("accord de la famille d'accueil"). This document must be filled out and signed by both parents of the host family in France. Very important! Their full names must appear clearly on it.
A letter from the host family can replace this form as long as it contains all the information we require on it.

- If the host is French: include a photocopy from either the wife's or the husband's French identification card ("carte nationale d'identité) or the passport's main page (picture and personal data).

- If the host is a foreigner living in France, include a photocopy of his/her residence permit ("titre de séjour") whose validity must be longer than the duration of the school year planned.

Proof of financial resources such as:

- if the parents provide the financial means for the stay in France: a letter from your bank stating you possess sufficient means to support your child with a minimum amount of CAN $400 per month of stay in France and the financial guarantee form filled out

if the host family provides the financial means for the stay in France, they must fill out the financial guarantee form (French version) and they must include: "avis d'imposition", "bulletin de salaire", "attestations bancaires", "titre de propiété ou bail", etc.

-Proof of financial resources may not be required if the stay in France has been arranged through a student exchange association. Present only the completed financial guarantee form with the application and attach the letter from the organization to it.

A letter of enrolment(or acceptance) from the school or higher education institution in France.
- A letter from the student exchange organization cannot replace the original letter from the school in France which must bear the name and signature of the school's "proviseur" as well as the school's full name, address, telephone and fax number.

The student's latest school results or transcripts.

The student's record of immunization or letter from the family doctor stating when the student received the anti poliomyelitis, the DTP (diphtheria, pertusis and tetanus) and BCG (antituberculosis) shots.

- For information on the BCG shot contact your local health clinic. If the BCG has not been done when submitting the application, fill out and present the following form:

- If the BCG cannot be obtained before departure, a written statement form from the parent(s) authorizing the host family to have the student immunized before starting school in France must be included with the application.

The BCG is mandatory to be accepted in a primary or secondary school in France.

- A negative tuberculin skin test result is not sufficient as it means that the student is not immunized.

- If for medical reasons, the minor cannot be vaccinated with the BCG, a certificate signed by a French medical doctor must be submitted to the school administration before the beginning of the academic year.

the visa application fee.

Procedure after the visa application has been authorized by the French central administration

The visa officer will contact you. If you live in Greater Vancouver, the student must come in person to the Consulate accompanied by one of the parents to pick up the visa.

Please bring (or send if you qualified to apply by mail):

an insurance certificate for civil liability (usually included in your comprehensive home owner, business or tenants insurance). Bring photocopy of the relevant pages of the policy stating that your child, as your dependant is covered while temporarily abroad IN ADDITION TO a letter from the insurance company (original plus photocopy) stating so.

an insurance certificate fully covering the student for excess medical expenses (the provincial medical services plan is not sufficient) such as prescription drugs, hospitalization, etc.

the original of the student's passport.

 

Type of visa issued after the application has been approved

The visa can be issued for a maximum of 11 months and cannot be extended while in France. The student must leave France on or before the visa's expiry date.

You can apply for a new visa covering another academic year at the French consulate of the region where your parents have their 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 is valid for France only and does not allow you to enter other countries of the Schengen or the European area. Before traveling outside France, you must check with the Embassy or Consulate of the country you intend to visit if you need a visa.

ADVISE: As the visa in your passport is the only proof of your legal status in France, you are strongly advised to photocopy its first pages including the one carrying the visa. Keep these photocopies in a safe place, separate from your passport.

Fees

Click here for fees and instructions for payment.

Time process

The visa process takes 6 to 8 weeks after the consulate has received a complete application. Applications can be submitted no longer than 3 months prior to departure to France.

To reapply: If the student is hosted by the same family as the previous academic year, the visa process takes about a week after the consulate has received a complete application. Provide a complete file as detailed above and make sure to indicate to the visa officer that you are re-applying.

Arrival in France : immigration - customs

The immigration officer will ask you to show your passport on which the visa was issued and may ask you questions about 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 answers your questions on customs regulations.

Once in France : residence permit regulation

As long as you are considered as a minor under French law (under 18 years of age), you do not need the otherwise mandatory residence permit ("carte de séjour").

Specific procedures apply if you turn 18 in France during the academic school year
or if you are a minor attending university:

If you reach the age of 18 within the first three months after the date of your arrival to France:

You must follow the procedure for minors detailed above. In addition, you must include the following form with your application. It must be filled out and signed by your parents. Attach copy of their signed picture ID to it.

You will be issued a regular long stay student visa therefore, within 2 months after arrival to France, you must apply for a residence permit ("carte de séjour).

If you reach the age of 18 after the first three months of your arrival to France:

The procedure for a minor student still applies. You will be issued a 11 months visa. However, you have to go to a "Préfecture" to request a temporary residence permit ("autorisation de séjour provisoire") within 2 months after reaching the age of 18. During its validity, this document will allow you to leave France (on holidays for example) and re-enter without any problem.

You are not allowed to apply for an extension of your student residence permit at a "Préfecture" without having to leave France.

Minors attending university:

They must follow the procedure for minor students. A letter from the University in France replaces the school's letter. An eleven months visa is issued after authorization from our central administration. You won't need a residence permit until you turn 18. If you wish to stay in France for more than 11 months, you need to come back to Canada and apply for a regular student visa which will allow you to apply for a residence permit.

However, if you reach the age of 18 within 3 months after the date of arrival to France or during the academic school year the above regulations still apply. The residence permit can be extended at the Prefecture nearest your place of residence in France.