Frequently asked questions

Here you will find answers to the most common questions, as well as downloadable documents that may be useful.

If you cannot find the answer to your question, contact us directly.

The Espace Ulys team is small so we are not able to organize transport for researchers and take them to their accommodation.

Taxi fares from Lyon St Exupéry airport to Lyon range from €45 to €70, and from €115 to €170 to Saint Etienne. For further information.

To reach the city center of Lyon from Lyon St Exupéry airport through transport, you can:

• either take the fast shuttle that goes directly to Part-Dieu station or the metro line A (stop Vaulx-en-Velin) to reach the city center (link to Rhône Express) - count about 30 minutes for 10 to 17€
• or take the bus 47 to the Meyzieu Z.I. tramway station on the T3 line (TCL itinerary) - count about an hour for the price of TCL ticket

To get to Saint Etienne, take Regional Express Trains (TER) from Lyon stations (link to SNCF TER Auvergne Rhône Alpes).

No. Espace Ulys assists you with formalities but cannot be physically present for appointments with official bodies. We do our best to explain the formalities to you by email or at meetings, but the team is too small for members to attend meetings off site.

We provide a list of necessary documents for your move to Lyon. They will be required for formalities in France. You will find the list here. This list is provided for information purposes and may not necessarily cover your personal situation.

The procedure varies depending on the type of visa. You will find the necessary information according to your situation on the following pages:

• Researchers
• PhD students
• Scientists' families

A residence permit must usually be renewed two to four months before the expiry of the current permit. You will find the necessary information on the following pages according to your situation:

• Researchers
• PhD students
• Scientists' families

You can travel back and forth between France and your country of origin with a valid visa. NOTE: "+1 transit Schengen" on your visa means that you are only entitled to one transit in the Schengen area using this visa.
For example:

• You arrive from Beijing and have a stopover in Frankfurt on your way to France: you can no longer travel in the Schengen area using your visa until you have received "attestation de prolongation d'instruction" (certificate of extension of instruction) or "attestation de décision favorable" (certificate of favorable decision) documents. However, you can make direct trips between China and France during the validity period of the visa.
• You arrive from Beijing in France without a stopover: you have the right to make one trip in the Schengen area using your visa while waiting for your temporary attestation.

• Long-stay visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS) with the mention "étudiant" (student) /"visiteur" (visitor) / "passeport talent-chercheur" (talent-researcher passport) or "passeport talent famille" (talent-family passport): you can travel during the first three months of the visa’s validity. After this period, you will only be able to travel if you have validated it online.
• “Passeport talent-chercheur” long-stay visa: request residence card within two months: you can travel back and forth between France and your country of origin as long as your visa is valid. NOTE: "+1 transit Schengen" on your visa means that you are only entitled to one transit in the Schengen area using this visa. When you submit your application online, you will obtain a temporary residence permit, you will obtain an "Attestation de prolongation d’instruction" (certificate of extension of instruction) then an "Attestation de décision favorable" (certifcate of favorable decision) which will give you the right to travel after the dates of your visa.
• “Scientifique-chercheur”/“conjoint de scientifique” visa for Algerian nationals: you can travel back and forth between France and your country of origin as long as your visa is valid. NOTE: "+1 transit Schengen" on your visa means that you are only entitled to one transit in the Schengen area using this visa. During the meeting in the Préfecture you will be given a receipt for your residence permit application. This receipt does not allow you to travel outside France after the expiration date of your visa. Algerian citizens require a special agreement. They cannot receive a temporary residence permit.

Yes. The Préfecture needs to see the originals of the documents to ensure their authenticity. However, it will only keep copies of the documents with some exceptions.

NO. To be able to live and work in France you must have a long-stay visa issued by a French consulate. A residence permit issued by another Schengen company only allows you to stay 90 days in other member states.
Only exception: if you hold a “résident longue durée UE” EU long-term residence permit, you do not have to apply for a visa and you can apply for a French residence permit directly on site.

YES. To be able to live and work in France you must have a long-stay visa issued by a French Consulate.
The visa waiver for certain nationalities only applies for short stays (90 days maximum).
For information about your situation see France VISAS.

I apply to renew my residence permit 2 to 4 months before it expires on the ANEF website. I include a letter in my renewal file explaining when I will be submitting my thesis. I'll complete my file gradually as requests are received.

Go to the PhD student residence permit section of our website.

If you have any doubts or specific requests, please consult the Espace Ulys: information@espace-ulys.fr registering in advance with our Euraxess France database.

• You have a student (“Etudiant”) visa/residence permit (excluding Algerian students): you can work 60% of the annual legal quota (= 964 h/year maximum). If you wish to work more hours, you must apply for a work permit on the ANEF website (French organism for business and work).
  For more information about the work permit for non european students.

• You have a student (“Etudiant”) visa/residence permit and you are Algerian: you do not have the right to work, even part time. You can apply for a work permit from on the ANEF website. In all cases, this work permit is limited to 50% of the legal quota.
• You have a “Visiteur” visa/residence permit: you are not allowed to work.
• You have a “Passeport talent-chercheur” or “scientifique chercheur” visa/residence permit: you have the right to work on your arrival in France on the basis of your hosting agreement and your long-stay visa. Your right to work is limited to the assignment stated on your hosting agreement. You can only work for the establishment that issued the hosting agreement.
• You have a “Passeport talent-famille” or visiting scientist spouse visa/residence permit: you have the right to work in any sector in France. You do not need to get a work permit.

No. "Passeport talent-chercheur" status only allows you to work in the areas of research listed in your hosting agreement. Some private companies can issue hosting agreements. You cannot work in the private sector, even on a part-time basis, without a hosting agreement.
Professional activities not included in a hosting agreement require a work permit and, where applicable, a change of status at the Préfecture.

YES. You are eligible for French social security benefits because of your employment contract. However, the registration process is not automatic. You must apply for a social security number with the healthcare system (CPAM) in order to claim reimbursement of your health expenses.

For further information, check our Health Insurance page.

If you have a French employment contract, you can register in France and be reimbursed for your health expenses.
If you are coming for a short stay in Lyon, we advise you to apply for a European health insurance card in your own country.
If you are coming for a long stay with an employment contract in your country of origin, you must ask for an S1 form from the social security scheme in your country of employment. With this form you can claim your entitlements to be paid by the French social security scheme. In this case you must submit an application to the local healthcare agency (CPAM).

For further information, check our Health Insurance page.

No. Reimbursements from the French social security scheme are calculated according to a set rate. Reimbursement from the French social security scheme is limited to 70% of this rate. It is therefore recommended to take out supplementary private health insurance (mutuelle). Furthermore, many doctors, especially specialists, charge higher fees.

For further information, check our Supplementary Health Insurance page.

No. You can only open a bank account once you have arrived in France. All banks will ask you for proof of your address in France to open a bank account. Procedure for opening bank accounts could be done face-to-face or online.

For further information, check our Bank Account page.

Yes, for a maximum period of one year and subject to being able to present a French translation (certified by a sworn translator in France) of your foreign driving license. Beyond this period, you will not be able to drive with your foreign license. If you are staying for more than one year, it is recommended to exchange your driver's license as soon as possible after your arrival. To be able to do this, your foreign license must have been issued by a country with a reciprocal agreement with France. The process of exchanging licenses is long so begin early.

For further information, check our Exchanging a driver's license page.

No, holders of student ("Etudiant") residence permits do not need to exchange their foreign driving licenses. You can drive using your foreign license provided you can present a French translation (by a sworn translator in France).

For further information, check our Exchanging a driver's license page.

In Lyon, rent for a furnished studio is at least 600€/month.
In Saint-Etienne, rent for a furnished studio is at least 400€/month.
The shorter your stay, the more expensive rent will be.
Keep in mind that the rental market is very tight in Lyon. You may find lower offers than the average rate, but competition will be intense.

Don't hesitate to consult our pages about Accommodation.

Start your search for accommodation as soon as you know your dates. Espace Ulys has partnerships and will do its best to help you. However, accommodation fills very quickly so it is important to start looking as early as possible.
If you plan to arrive in Lyon between September and November, start your search well in advance.

Don't hesitate to consult our pages about Accommodation.

We cannot answer that question. Funding from the CAF is conditional and we cannot guarantee that you will be eligible. To find out if you are eligible, carry out a simulation on the CAF website.

Don't hesitate to consult our pages about Accommodation.

In France, real estate agencies and student residences often request a guarantor. This is a person who agrees to pay your rent if you do not. They must reside in France.
Your application will be refused if your rental agency requires a guarantor but you don’t have one. However, you can ask the agency if they accept the Visale public guarantee (if you are eligible) or private guarantees (insurance companies which you can pay to act as guarantor).

Don't hesitate to consult our pages about Private Accommodation.

The Visale guarantee is a free public guarantee. It is often used by public and private student residences, as well as by some real estate agencies.
Eligibility:

• People aged between 18 and 31
• Non-EU citizens with a long-stay visa or residence permit

More detailed information on our website.

If in doubt or have a specific request, consult the Espace Ulys: information@espace-ulys.fr. Prior registration required in our data base Euraxess France.

• Prior to your departure
• On arrival in Lyon or Saint-Etienne
• At the end of your stay

• Residence certificate
• Residence certificate from an individual host
• Non-polygamy declaration
• Financial responsibility declaration

• CERFA form - "Demande d'ouverture des droits à l'assurance maladie"
• CERFA form - "Demande de rattachement des enfants"
• CERFA form - 'Déclaration de médecin traitant"
• Termination of CPAM rights to the French health insurance 

• Taxes - Moving abroad
• Bank - Closing of a bank account

• Notice of departure from an accommodation