The following is general information for an internship in France. For specific information for "stagiaires professionnels" and "stagiaires d'information", please contact the visa section by e-mail to find out what other documents you must include with your application. The address: visas@consulfrance-vancouver.org

Stay of up 90 days

Canadians and citizens of countries not submitted to a short stay visa, may go to France without a visa in an internship or as volunteers if they stay a total of 90 days or less. However, they must hold the original of the internship agreement ("convention de stage") before departure to France. The "Convention de stage" document is issued by the DDTEFP ("Direction départementale du travail, de l'Emploi et de la formation professionnelle") i.e. the Department of Employment in France. There is one DDTEFP in each province in France. Click here to see what a "convention de stage" looks like. Other nationalities, check the list of countries not submitted to a short stay visa. IF yours does not appear on it, you must apply for a visa before departure to France. If you go for less than 90 days, apply for a short stay visa. If you go for more than 90 days and up to six months, you need to apply for a temporary long stay visa. If the internship last longer than 6 months, you need a long stay visa. This specific kind of visa will allow you to apply for the mandatory residence permit within two months after your arrival to France.

Stay of more than 90 days

Any foreigner (except for citizens of the European Union and of the European Trade zone) wishing to practice an internship in France or to perform volunteer work for more than 90 days, needs to apply for a long stay visa to the French consulate nearest his/her place of residence, before departure to France. It is a mandatory requirement in order to obtain the residence permit in France.

Documents required

Your passport which must be valid for at least one year after the date of your arrival in France.

 

2 or 3 long stay visa application forms, depending on your nationality (click here to find out), to be neatly and completely filled out (in original - do not photocopy) and signed. Attach a post-it to one of them stating your approximate departure date to France. The visa will be dated one day ahead.  

Original identity pictures. Cut to the size indicated on the form and glued to each one of them.

 

The original plus one photocopy of the training agreement ("convention de stage") between the DDTEFP, the institution or company where you will be training or volunteering and yourself. There is one DDTEFP in each province in France . This document must bear the stamp of the DDTEFP. Please verify before submitting your application.

 

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.

 

Payment for the visa application.

Do not fax any documents to the Consulate. Incomplete applications cannot be processed. If you applied by mail, it will be returned by courier service at your own expense.

Your visa may be delayed or refused. Do not buy an airplane ticket prior to receiving confirmation that the visa will be issued.

Fees

Click here for fees and instructions for payment.

Time process

In general it takes 2 to 8 working days to issue the visa after you have submitted a complete file. However, for some nationalities it can take up to 2 months to receive approval from our central administration.