Visa & Stay in France

Visa & French Residence Permit(Titre de Séjour)

Who Is Concerned?

If you are a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, a visa is mandatory to study in France.

Before your arrival, please contact Campus France or the French Embassy/Consulate in your home country to initiate your application. A checklist of required documents is generally available on their official websites.

The Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS)

The Long-Stay Visa serving as a Residence Permit (VLS-TS) allows you to reside in France for more than 3 months, up to 1 year. Crucial Step: After arriving in France, you must validate your VLS-TS with the OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) within 3 months.

Important Notice: A tourist visa cannot be converted into a student visa once you are in France.

Residence Permit Renewal

The student residence permit is typically valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

We strongly advise you to start the renewal process 1 to 2 months before your current visa or permit expires.
Applications and appointments are generally managed online via your local Prefecture’s official website (or the ANEF portal).

If your application is incomplete on the day of your appointment, you will have the opportunity to submit missing documents later. However, please note that this may significantly delay processing times.

Accommodation & Visa

ILCI does not directly provide accommodation, as every student has unique requirements.
However, upon registration, we provide access to the "Bienvenue en France" platform, designed to simplify your administrative steps (housing, insurance, and onboarding procedures).

This platform prioritizes student applications within the ILCI network.
We highly recommend starting your housing search at least two months before your arrival.

Free-of-charge accommodations provided by acquaintances (hébergement à titre gracieux by friends or family) are frequent grounds for visa refusal.
We strongly advise choosing private or partner student residences instead.

For more detailed guidance, please visit our dedicated Accommodation Page.

Good to know :

CROUS residences prioritize scholarship holders, and waiting times can be extensive. For more details, visit: www.crous-paris.fr
If you need assistance, our team can refer you to the appropriate contacts based on your situation.

Global Mobility Opportunities

Every year, our students have the opportunity to embark on a global immersion experience (including destinations like China, Mexico, and South Korea) to attend intensive courses, visit leading corporations, and expand their professional network within a multicultural environment.

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Study Abroad Programs

International Internships

Through our strategic partnerships, we facilitate deep academic and cultural immersion, offering a global perspective on education along with unique professional experiences abroad.

The Institute maintains close ties with China, particularly with the cities of Chengdu and Shenzhen—the country’s ultimate economic powerhouse. Thanks to our extensive network of local partnerships, our students have the unique opportunity to study abroad there and discover the "Silicon Valley" of a rapidly expanding nation.