Exchange with the University of Poitiers in France

The University of Poitiers is a large public university of about 28,000 students. Founded in 1431 by Pope Eugenius IV and granted a royal charter by King Charles VII, the University of Poitiers had become a leading cultural center by the Renaissance, second only to the Paris Sorbonne. Among its students one finds such illustrious poets, writers, and philosophers as Rabelais, Du Bellay, Guez de Ballzac, Descartes, and Sir Francis Bacon. Today the University of Poitiers is a vibrant, innovative part of the French higher education system and offers a great variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in the Humanities, Social Sciences, Fine Arts, and Natural Sciences.

Residence hall accommodations are available. Students may study for either one semester or for an academic year. Students studying at the university have commented on the university town atmosphere and good location. You may find additional information on the Univeristy de Poitiers website.

Learn more about the University of Poitiers in this PDF.

How to Obtain Your Student Visa for France

A student visa is a document issued by a country granting an individual permission to enter a country with the express purpose of completing studies there at a recognized institution.

Who needs a visa?

There are two kinds of long-stay student visas available, depending upon the length of studies in France as indicated in the letter of enrollment.

1) Temporary long-stay visa: from 3 to 6 months, multiple entries, no “care de séjour” (residency card) is requested, but there is no possibility to extend stay.
2) One-year visa (for stay over 6 months):  the visa is valid during a specific three-month period.  After arriving in France – preferably within a week – the students must request their “carte de séjour” (residency card) at the “Préfecture de Police”.  At this point, the students will have to undergo a medical check-up by a doctor from the Office des Migrations Internationales.

A short-stay student visa is needed for stays of up to 3 months.

How to get a visa:

Before applying for your visa, please register with CampusFrance.

Requirements for a long stay visa (for students over 18):

  • Passport signed and valid for a period of three months beyond the applicant’s last day of stay in France + 1 photocopy
  • 2 long stay visa application forms legibly filled out and signed
  • 2 passport-size photographs
  • A letter of admission (pre-enrollment) from the school which the applicant plans to attend in France + 1 copy
  • A letter from your school/university stating that you are currently registered as a student
  • Financial guarantee such as a notarized statement certifying that the applicant will be provided with a monthly allowance of $600 for the duration of the stay in France, or a proof of personal income along with a letter from the school stating that room, board, and tuition are fully prepaid + 1 copy
  • Visa fee

Medical Insurace:

For a stay over 3 months:  After their arrival in France, the students under 28 years old who are enrolled in a French school affiliated with the French Social Security must join this social security for the length of their studies.  This is verified by the Préfecture when the students apply for the residency card.  The reimbursement of the medical expenses amounts to 70%.  For the 30% remaining, these students have the choice to join a French student insurance OR make use of their own insurance with worldwide coverage (letter from the insurance company).  However, the students over 28 years old or enrolled in a French school not affiliated with the French Social Security cannot enroll in the French Social Security and must show a proof of insurance with coverage valid in France when they apply for the visa and for the residency card.

NB: If UNDER 18 at the date of arrival in France, the processing time is 4 to 6 weeks.  Please contact the Consulate and ask for the special visa application packet for minors.

NB: RECIPIENTS OF FRENCH GOVERNMENT, FOREIGN GOVERNMENT, OR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS SCHOLARSHIPS:
A scholarship recipient only needs to present the first three items on the above list, plus the letter awarding the scholarship and the length of stay in France + 1 copy.

Requirements for a short stay visa:

For stays up to 3 months, the student should fill out a short stay visa application form, but present the same documents required for a long-stay student visa (report to the “long stay student visa” section above).