The "Protocole d'accueil" is an official document issued by a French university or public institution to a foreigner who wishes to work in France during a certain period of time as a reasearcher or university profesor.

Once the French institution or organization has decided to accept you, they fill out a form provided by the Préfecture. To do this, you need to provide them with the following information:

• your full name and surname
• date and place of birth
• nationality
• full address
• other information they may deem important

Once completely filled out, the document has to be signed by the person in charge of the organization or university and stamped with the institution's official stamp.

Afterwards, it must be brought for approval to the Préfecture of the Département where the institution's head office is located. If approved, the Préfecture stamps the "Protocole d'accueil". The original is then mailed to you.
If the stamp from the Préfecture is missing, the "Protocole d'accueil" is not valid.

Once you obtain this document, you do not need a work permit.

Please notice that any foreigner going to France (except for citizens of the European Union) to work as university profesor or as a researcher, whether he/she requires a visa or not, should possess this document in original before leaving for France.