Papers which are necessary to obtain a residence permit, which is compulsory when you stay in France for more than 3 months

A birth certificate A certificate of sufficient financial resources Written proof of social security cover Written proof of residence in France Written proof of registration at 4IM Valid passport or national identity card 3 quite new and identical passport photos

Foreign students (who belong to the European Economic Area, Andorra, Monaco, San-marin, Switzerland or the Vatican) must, as soon as they arrive in France, hold a "student"-D visa with the special reference "residence permit to be sought on arriving in France" delivered by the French Embassy of their country of origin.

If necessary, students may ask for a pre-registration certificate at the university registrar's office or at the international relations department of the "receiving" university.

As well as a D-visa for a long stay in France , with a special reference to the "student status", the C-visa for a short stay with the special reference "student competitive exam" can equally entitle the student to a residence certificate in case he passes the exam or competitive entrance examination for a higher education school.

Any other visa (short stay: for tourists) makes it impossible to stay in France for more than 3 months; no visa can be modified in France .

Students are subject to a medical examination from the OMI (International Migration Office); it is compulsory and free. But the citizens of the European Economic Area, the grant holders of the French Government, and the ones managed by EGIDE, are exempted.

Students belonging to university exchange programmes:
The procedure in force has been simplified in each university. In every school, a person working for the international relations takes on the first administrative steps, applying to the "prefecture" to obtain a residence certificate. The necessary documents must be photocopied and translated into French but the applicant must be able to show the originals.

Students who don't belong to university exchange programmes:
The registrar's offices give them a form prepared by the "préfecture's reception office for foreigners", allowing them to make their application for a resident permit straight away. The student must return this form to the prefecture as soon as his administrative registration at the university is validated. If the form is complete, the student gets (in return) a certificate equivalent to a temporary authorization to stay in France until his application is finally satisfied. In both cases, students will have to go to the prefecture - by appointment - having their passport or identity card with them, to collect their residence permit; an attestation of attendance at school or a student's card will be necessary.

French adress

CROUS - SERVICE ACCUEIL ETUDIANTS ETRANGERS
04 91 62 83 86 ou 04 91 62 83 85 - 42, rue du 141e R.I.A - 3e
Ouvert du lun au ven de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 16h30. Service fermé le mer

EGIDE - CENTRE FRANCAIS POUR L’ACCUEIL ET LES ECHANGES INTERNATIONAUX
04 91 29 97 00 - 6, allée Turcat Méry - 8e
Ouvert du lun au ven de 9h30 à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 16h30
Association gérant des séjours dans le cadre de conventions, de mandats privés

PREFECTURE SERVICE DES ETRANGERS
04 91 15 60 00 - Standard - 66B, rue Saint Sébastien - 6e
ouvert du lun au ven de 8h15 à 16h15
http://www.bouches-du-rhone.pref.gouv.fr

Consulats

The consulats at Marseille (from outside dial +33, not the first 0)