How does Student Residence Permit (Etudiant) work in France, and who qualifies?

The Student Residence Permit (Etudiant) is for international students admitted to a French higher-education or vocational institution. You will need proof of acceptance or enrolment, evidence of minimum monthly resources, and health insurance. Nationals of countries covered by the Campus France 'Etudes en France' procedure apply through that system, which combines academic admission and the visa application into one online pathway.

France is welcoming to graduates who want to stay on. After completing your studies, you can move to a one-year job-search or business-creation permit (recherche d'emploi ou creation d'entreprise), which gives recent graduates time to find qualifying work or launch a business. From there you can transition into a Talent card, an EU Blue Card, or a standard salarie permit, often through an in-country change of status.

The student permit costs around EUR 150 for long-stay visa validation. Resource thresholds and fees are reviewed periodically, so confirm the current figures on service-public.gouv.fr and through Campus France before applying. One note: Algerian nationals are governed by a separate bilateral agreement and some post-study provisions differ — ACME can help you understand how the rules apply to your nationality.