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Residence permits

Scientists or PhD students who are citizens of a country in the European Union, European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland can live and work in France. No administrative procedures are required.

Citizens of other countries who are living in France for a duration no longer than 3 months with a Short-stay visa, or citizens of countries with a visa exemption, will also not need to carry out the administrative procedures to apply for a residence permit.

  • You are a researcher or PhD student and have a VLS-TS “Passeport Talent” / “Scientifique-Chercheur” (3-12-month stay)

    You must validate your Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS) as soon as possible and no more than 3 months after arriving in France. You must validate it on the Ministry of the Interior website (ANEF platform).

    You will have to pay a tax (for every adult) in the form of a tax stamp. The amount you have to pay depends on your visa.

    Once you have registered your visa, you will receive a PDF confirmation (“confirmation de la validation de l’enregistrement”) of your VLS-TS visa. You must save, print and keep this document for the whole of your stay in France.

    Your spouse: He/she must have received the same specific type of visa (“Passeport Talent-Famille”, “Conjoint de scientifique”, etc.) and must also have it validated and pay the tax. Any children you have who are under 18 years old are not relevant to the validation procedure. N.B. To be considered a spouse, you must be married.

    N.B.: There have been some technical malfunctions on the online platform so your visa reference may not match those in the drop-down menu. Please contact us if you require assistance with your validation process.

    Algerian researchers: please note that you are not concerned by the online procedure at this time. You must download and send the completed application form by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt (RAR) to the relevant Prefecture Department below*. Upon receipt, a "récépissé" will be sent to you as soon as possible. The same procedure must be followed by your spouse. (*) PREFECTURE des BDR, DMIN / BASS Scientifiques B109, 66B, rue Saint Sébastien, 13006 - MARSEILLE

    • Your hosting agreement (Cerfa document) and your VLS-TS “Passeport Talent” / “Scientifique-Chercheur” authorises you to start the work stated on your hosting agreement once you arrive in France even if your visa is not yet validated.
    • If you have not completed the validation process of your VLS-TS by the deadline, you will no longer be a legal resident in France and will no longer be able to cross a Schengen area border again.
    • Holders of a researcher residence permit (“chercheur”) issued by another European Union country can either:
      • conduct part of their work in France on the basis of the host agreement signed in the initial EU country, if you stay in France for a period less than or equal to three months;
      • apply for a researcher talent passport (“passeport talent-chercheur”) residence permit at the Préfecture of your place of residence in France, without needing to apply for a visa in advance, if you are staying in France for longer than three months. (Contact us for more information
    • Perhaps you don't have a bank card to pay the tax via revenue stamp...Don't worry! You can purchase an electronic stamp in a tobacco shop, on a dedicated machine, and pay in cash. Keep the receipt safe.

  • You are a researcher or PhD student and have a Long-Stay Visa “Passeport Talent” / “Scientifique-Chercheur” with the mention “residence permit must be requested / C.SEJ A SOLLIC.”

    You must apply for a residence permit in the “Passeport Talent-Chercheur” category and submit your request directly on the website of the Ministry of the Interior (ANEF platform) as soon as possible and at the latest within 2 months of arriving in France.

    You will need the following documents when applying for a residence permit:
    •    Long-stay visa
    •    Proof of identity (Passport, etc.)
    •    Proof of address dated less than 6 months
    •    An e-photo. You must also have the e-photo’s reference number which is provided by the photographer or the approved booth.
    •    A diploma that is equivalent to at least a master's degree
    •    Cerfa hosting agreement provided by your laboratory and endorsed by the University

    Once you have completed your request, you will receive a confirmation document (“confirmation du dépôt”). This document is only proof that you have submitted your request and is not proof of legal residence, nor does it give you access to the rights of legal residents.

    You will be informed of the progress of your application by an e-mail that will contain a link for you to log into your account.

    If your submission is successful, you will receive a certificate (“attestation de décision favorable”). This document allows you to live and work in France while you receive your residence permit.

    You will be informed when and how you can collect your permit at the Prefecture. You will then have to pay the amount of tax you owe with a tax stamp that you can purchase either online or in a tobacco shop. The amount of the tax varies depending on what visa you have.

    Your spouse:

    • If you have a “Passeport Talent–Chercheur” visa, your spouse will obtain a “Passeport Talent – Famille” visa and residence permit. N.B.  To be considered a spouse, you must be married.
    • If you have a “Scientifique-Chercheur” visa and your spouse is Algerian, he/she will receive a “Conjoint de scientifique" visa and a “Vie privée et familiale” residence permit.
    • He/she must take the same steps to apply for a residence permit if he/she is staying for more than 90 days.

    N.B.: There have been some technical malfunctions on the online platform so your visa reference may not match those in the drop-down menu. Please contact us if you require assistance with your validation process.

    Algerian researchers: please note that you are not concerned by the online procedure at this time. You must download and send the completed application form by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt (RAR) to the relevant Prefecture Department below*. Upon receipt, a "récépissé" will be sent to you as soon as possible. The same procedure must be followed by your spouse. (*) PREFECTURE des BDR, DMIN / BASS Scientifiques B109, 66B, rue Saint Sébastien, 13006 - MARSEILLE

    • Your hosting agreement (Cerfa document) and your VLS-TS “Passeport Talent” / “Scientifique-Chercheur” authorises you to start the work stated on your hosting agreement once you arrive in France even if your visa is not yet validated.
    • While your long-stay multiple-entry visa is valid (with the mention “MULT”), you can travel within the Schengen area and return there if you leave it.
    • Once the visa has expired, your certificate (“attestation de décision favorable”) will allow you to travel in and out of the Schengen area.
    • You cannot go to the Prefecture without an appointment. Please check your local Prefecture’s website for more information.
    • Make sure you provide a valid email address and mobile phone number when corresponding with any administrative office in France, especially the Prefecture.

  • You are a PhD student and have a Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS) with the mention “Etudiant"”

    You must validate your Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS) as soon as possible and no more than 3 months after arriving in France. You must validate it on the Ministry of the Interior website.

    Once you have registered your visa, you will receive a PDF confirmation (“confirmation de la validation de l’enregistrement”) of your VLS-TS visa. You must save, print and keep this document for the whole of your stay in France.

    • Your VLS-TS “Etudiant” authorises you to work on an ancillary basis. For more information, please consult this website.
    • If you don't have a payment card to pay the tax, don’t worry. You can buy an electronic stamp in a tobacconist in cash. Remember to keep the receipt.
    • If you have a student status and want your family to join you in France, you must undertake a “family reunification” procedure. For more information, contact the OFII.

  • You must renew your residence permit

    If you want to stay in France beyond the expiration date of your VLS-TS visa or residence permit (Titre de séjour or TS), you must initiate a request to renew your residence permit between 2 and 4 months before the expiration* of your VLS-TS / TS. To do this, apply directly online on the website of the Ministry of the Interior (ANEF platform).*After this period, you can still apply for up to 6 months after the validity date but a late fee of 180 euros will be applied. Please note: after 6 months, the request is inadmissible.

    Once you have registered your request, you will receive a confirmation (“confirmation de dépot”). This document only constitutes proof of submission of your request. Pending receipt of the new residence permit, you retain the rights associated with your old and last granted residence permit.

    You will be informed of the progress of your application by an e-mail that will contain a link for you to log into your account.

    If your submission is successful, you will receive a certificate (“attestation de décision favorable”). This document allows you to live and work in France while you receive your new residence permit. The Prefecture will inform you when you will receive your new permit and what you should do to come and collect it. You will then have to buy a tax stamp either online or bought in a tobacconist. The amount of the tax varies depending on what residence permit you have.

    Your spouse: The same steps must be taken by your spouse. N.B. To be considered a spouse, you must be married.

    Algerian researchers: please note that you are not concerned by the online procedure at this time. You must download and send the completed application form by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt (RAR) to the relevant Prefecture Department below*. Upon receipt, a "récépissé" will be sent to you as soon as possible. The same procedure must be followed by your spouse. (*) PREFECTURE des BDR, DMIN / BASS Scientifiques B109, 66B, rue Saint Sébastien, 13006 - MARSEILLE

    • If you don't have a payment card to pay the tax, don’t worry. You can buy an electronic stamp in a tobacconist in cash. Remember to keep the receipt.
    • Be sure to respect the renewal deadlines even if you don't have all the supporting documents: indicate that you will provide them later in the "comments/observations" section.
    • At the end of your research stay, depending on your situation (involuntary loss of employment, etc.), you may apply for a renewal of your residence permit / change of status. N.B.: Contractual PhD students enrolled at AMU whose doctoral contract has expired should not apply for a "Student" residence permit. Contact us in advance for more information.

  • Change of status

    If there is a change in status of your residence permit Student (“Étudiant”) / Talent passport (“Passeport Talent”) / Research scientist (“Scientifique-chercheur”), you will need to follow the same procedure as for renewal. N.B.: Contractual PhD students enrolled at AMU whose doctoral contract has expired should not apply for a "Student" residence permit. Please contact us for more information.

  • Change of address, request a duplicate

    If you request:

    • a duplicate of your residence permit if it is lost or stolen;
    • a change of address (within Bouches-du-Rhône) or a change of department (you hold a valid residence permit and you have just moved to Bouches-du-Rhône),

    you must complete your process online at the following link: https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr/particuliers/