Visas & residence permits for interns
Intern visas allow students from non-French schools to come to France to complete an internship. To receive an Intern visa, you must be able to present an internship contract signed by your school, your host entity and yourself.
Reminder: a visa allows you to enter a country, a residence permit allows you to reside there. To stay in France legally, you must then hold a residence permit, which an Intern visa enables you to request. You will find all necessary information below.
If you have an Intern visa and are unsure what formalities you need to complete, there are two possible cases:
You must validate your visa online to receive a PDF version of your residence permit. More information on our "Visa validation" page.
You must request a residence permit. As of now, this request cannot be sent online. To request a permit, send us the documents listed below:
- A valid passport (ID page, and any page bearing a stamp or visa)
- 3 ID pictures (taken in France)
- Justificatifs de domicile (de moins de 3 mois) :
- Proof of residence:
- If you live in a student residence: a recent (less than 3 months old) certificate indicating you live there.
- If you rent a room/apartment: your lease AND a recent (less than 3 months old) bill for water/gas/electricity in your name, or if you receive no bill, an insurance certificate for the room/apartment.
- If you own your home: certificate of ownership OR tax slip, with a recent (less than 3 months old) bill for water/gas/electricity in your name, or if you receive no bill, an insurance certificate.
- If you are housed free of charge: housing certificate signed by your lodger AND a copy of their passport/ID card (if French) or valid residence permit (if foreigner) AND their lease AND a recent (less than 3 months old) bill for water/gas/electricity in their name.
- If you live in a hotel: hotel certificate less than 3 months old AND last month's bill.
- Internship contract, signed by your host institution, your school and yourself
- Proof of resources (min. of 615€/month):
- You have a guarantor who lives outside of France: proof of monthly transfer signed and stamped by their bank
- You have a guarantor who lives in France: certificate of support (mentioning the amount given per month) AND latest tax report AND 3 last payslips AND proof of identity (residence permit or French ID card)
- You receive a grant: grant certificate
- Contract agreeing to respect the values of the French republic
Once we have received your file, we will give you an appointment at the sous-préfecture.
The visa does not cover the entirety of the internship/the internship is extended
If your visa's duration does not cover the entirety of your internship, you will have to request an extension. If this is because your internship has been extended, you will need to provide the amendment to the contract.
You will need to present a file for the request and send it to us. If the file is complete, we will give you an appointment at the sous-préfecture.
Does your institution wish to host a foreign intern?
If you work for one of our partner schools, please consult our page on how to prepare for hosting an international intern.