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Residence permit for PhD students
YOU ARE A NATIONAL OF A EUROPEAN COUNTRY
If you are a doctoral student and a national of a European Union Member State, the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you may reside and work in France without a visa or residence permit.
In principle, British nationals are subject to the rules applicable to nationals of third countries. However, specific rules may apply to individuals covered by the Withdrawal Agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
In principle, British nationals are subject to the rules applicable to nationals of third countries. However, specific rules may apply to individuals covered by the Withdrawal Agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
YOU ARE A NATIONAL OF A THIRD COUNTRY
The procedure and type of residence permit applicable to doctoral students who are nationals of third countries (outside the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland) vary depending on their situation. The procedure to follow depends in particular on:
- Whether or not they are enrolled in a French institution
- Whether or not a hosting agreement has been issued
YOU ARE ENROLLED IN A FRENCH INSTITUTION
If you are enrolled in a doctoral program at a French institution, an hosting agreement may be issued to you by an accredited institution provided you meet the requirements for the "Talent-Researcher" status. This applies in particular to doctoral candidates who hold funding or a doctoral contract that meets the applicable criteria.
You have been issued with a hosting agreement
Please note: Doctoral students of Algerian nationality are subject to a specific bilateral agreement. They fall under a special regime established by the Franco-Algerian agreement of December 27, 1968. Provided they meet the applicable requirements, they may obtain an Algerian residence permit bearing the "scientist" designation. Check out our dedicated page.
If you are a doctoral student from a non-EU country, enrolled in a doctoral program in France, hold a hosting agreement, and meet the applicable requirements, you may qualify for the "Talent-Researcher" status.
For stays of 12 months or less, a long-stay visa serving as a residence permit (VLS-TS) bearing the "Talent-Researcher" designation is issued. This visa must be validated online within three months of arrival in France.
For stays exceeding 12 months, a "Talent-Researcher" long-stay visa is issued, and a multi-year residence permit must be applied for after arrival in France.
You must validate or apply for your residence permit online on the dedicated website.
More information about the formalities to be completed for holders of a “Talent passport - researcher” visa
If you are a doctoral student from a non-EU country, enrolled in a doctoral program in France, hold a hosting agreement, and meet the applicable requirements, you may qualify for the "Talent-Researcher" status.
For stays of 12 months or less, a long-stay visa serving as a residence permit (VLS-TS) bearing the "Talent-Researcher" designation is issued. This visa must be validated online within three months of arrival in France.
For stays exceeding 12 months, a "Talent-Researcher" long-stay visa is issued, and a multi-year residence permit must be applied for after arrival in France.
You must validate or apply for your residence permit online on the dedicated website.
More information about the formalities to be completed for holders of a “Talent passport - researcher” visa
Your institution has not issued you with a hosting agreement
If you are not issued a hosting agreement but are enrolled in a doctoral program at a French institution, you generally fall under the "student" status. You must therefore apply for a visa or residence permit marked "student".
As of August 1, 2026, third-country nationals applying for residence for study purposes must demonstrate monthly financial resources equal to at least 47% of the gross monthly minimum wage (SMIC) in effect at the time their application is submitted.
Please note: unlike family members of a "Talent-Researcher" permit holder, the spouse of a doctoral student under "student" status does not automatically qualify for a right of residence based on the doctoral student's status. Conditions regarding residence and—where applicable—access to employment depend on the spouse's own situation, nationality, and the specific visa or residence permit issued to them. We advise you to consult us before departure.
Depending on the duration and type of your visa, you will need to either validate your VLS-TS after arriving in France or apply for a residence permit in accordance with the procedures applicable to your situation.
You must validate or apply for your residence permit online on the dedicated website.
The "student" visa or residence permit entitles you to work under certain conditions: More information
As an international student, the Students Welcome Desk of the Université de Lyon can help you with your formalities. A hotline is available each year from end of August to December.
More information about the Student Welcome Desk.
You can also contact your institution’s international relations department list per institution.
For more information about your "student" visa/residence permit: Students Welcome Desk FAQ
As of August 1, 2026, third-country nationals applying for residence for study purposes must demonstrate monthly financial resources equal to at least 47% of the gross monthly minimum wage (SMIC) in effect at the time their application is submitted.
Please note: unlike family members of a "Talent-Researcher" permit holder, the spouse of a doctoral student under "student" status does not automatically qualify for a right of residence based on the doctoral student's status. Conditions regarding residence and—where applicable—access to employment depend on the spouse's own situation, nationality, and the specific visa or residence permit issued to them. We advise you to consult us before departure.
Depending on the duration and type of your visa, you will need to either validate your VLS-TS after arriving in France or apply for a residence permit in accordance with the procedures applicable to your situation.
You must validate or apply for your residence permit online on the dedicated website.
The "student" visa or residence permit entitles you to work under certain conditions: More information
As an international student, the Students Welcome Desk of the Université de Lyon can help you with your formalities. A hotline is available each year from end of August to December.
More information about the Student Welcome Desk.
You can also contact your institution’s international relations department list per institution.
For more information about your "student" visa/residence permit: Students Welcome Desk FAQ
YOU ARE NOT ENROLLED IN A FRENCH INSTITUTION
If you are hosted as part of a research trip pursuant to Article L. 434-1 of the Code of research, your stay could be covered by a Research Trip Agreement with your host institution.
When your funding reaches at least the minimum remuneration level for doctoral candidates, you may—provided you meet the other conditions applicable to the "Talent-Researcher" status—benefit from a hosting agreement and a visa or residence permit bearing the "Talent-Researcher" designation.
As of January 1, 2026, the minimum monthly remuneration for doctoral candidates is set at €2,300 gross.
More details on the formalities to be completed for holders of a "passeport talent-researcher".
If your funding is below this amount and you are enrolled in a French higher education institution, you generally fall under the "student" status, subject to your specific situation and the applicable conditions.
More details about the formalities to be completed for holders of a “student” visa/residence permit: Students Welcome Desk FAQ
When your funding reaches at least the minimum remuneration level for doctoral candidates, you may—provided you meet the other conditions applicable to the "Talent-Researcher" status—benefit from a hosting agreement and a visa or residence permit bearing the "Talent-Researcher" designation.
As of January 1, 2026, the minimum monthly remuneration for doctoral candidates is set at €2,300 gross.
More details on the formalities to be completed for holders of a "passeport talent-researcher".
If your funding is below this amount and you are enrolled in a French higher education institution, you generally fall under the "student" status, subject to your specific situation and the applicable conditions.
More details about the formalities to be completed for holders of a “student” visa/residence permit: Students Welcome Desk FAQ
RENEWAL OF YOUR RESIDENT PERMIT OR CHANGE OF STATUS
The application for the renewal of a residence permit must be submitted between four and two months prior to the expiration of the visa or residence permit, in accordance with the procedures applicable to your situation. It is recommended that you submit your application within the prescribed timeframe to avoid any difficulties arising from the expiration of your residence document.
Algerian nationals are subject to specific rules set out in the Franco-Algerian Agreement of December 27, 1968. The information below regarding standard residence permits does not apply to them. Please consult our page dedicated to Algerian nationals.
Procedure to renew a “Student” residence permit
You can renew your "student" residence permit via the ANEF platform, generally between four and two months before your current visa or residence permit expires.
You will submit your application online by following the instructions. Once your application has been submitted, a confirmation of submission may be issued. This confirmation does not, in itself, constitute a temporary residence document.
If your residence permit expires while your renewal application is being processed, a certificate extending the processing period may be issued. When issued in the context of a renewal, it serves as proof of legal residence and maintains the rights associated with the previous permit, including the right to work, where previously authorized.
You will be notified by email of any new document available on the platform.
You will be required to pay a €200 fee in the form of tax stamps when collecting your new residence permit.
For subsequent renewals, the application must also be submitted via the ANEF platform, in accordance with the procedures and timeframes applicable to your situation.
More information about renewing your "student" visa / residence permit: Students Welcome Desk FAQ
You will submit your application online by following the instructions. Once your application has been submitted, a confirmation of submission may be issued. This confirmation does not, in itself, constitute a temporary residence document.
If your residence permit expires while your renewal application is being processed, a certificate extending the processing period may be issued. When issued in the context of a renewal, it serves as proof of legal residence and maintains the rights associated with the previous permit, including the right to work, where previously authorized.
You will be notified by email of any new document available on the platform.
You will be required to pay a €200 fee in the form of tax stamps when collecting your new residence permit.
For subsequent renewals, the application must also be submitted via the ANEF platform, in accordance with the procedures and timeframes applicable to your situation.
More information about renewing your "student" visa / residence permit: Students Welcome Desk FAQ
Procedure to renew a “Talent passport - researcher” residence permit or change of status to “Talent passport - researcher”
If your hosting agreement is renewed by your institution and you continue to meet the applicable requirements, you may apply to renew your "Talent-Researcher" residence permit via the ANEF platform. If you are issued a hosting agreement for the first time while already legally residing in France under a different status, you may—provided you meet the necessary requirements—apply to change your status to "Talent-Researcher" via the ANEF platform.
Upon completion of your doctoral contract or research work, several options may be considered depending on your situation.
If you hold a "Talent-Researcher" residence permit and find yourself involuntarily unemployed at the time of its renewal, your permit may be renewed for a duration corresponding to the unemployment insurance rights you have accrued, subject to applicable conditions.
If you have completed your research work and hold a "Talent-Researcher" residence permit, you may—provided you meet the other required conditions—apply for a temporary residence permit marked "job seeker or business creator" (RECE). This permit is issued for a period of one year.
For more information, go to the “Residence permits for researchers” (“Titres de séjour pour chercheurs”), “Renewal of talent passport - researcher or change of status” (“Renouvellement du passeport talent chercheur ou changement de statut”) tab “RECE permit application” (“Demande de carte RECE”) section
Upon completion of your doctoral contract or research work, several options may be considered depending on your situation.
If you hold a "Talent-Researcher" residence permit and find yourself involuntarily unemployed at the time of its renewal, your permit may be renewed for a duration corresponding to the unemployment insurance rights you have accrued, subject to applicable conditions.
If you have completed your research work and hold a "Talent-Researcher" residence permit, you may—provided you meet the other required conditions—apply for a temporary residence permit marked "job seeker or business creator" (RECE). This permit is issued for a period of one year.
For more information, go to the “Residence permits for researchers” (“Titres de séjour pour chercheurs”), “Renewal of talent passport - researcher or change of status” (“Renouvellement du passeport talent chercheur ou changement de statut”) tab “RECE permit application” (“Demande de carte RECE”) section
Residence permit: application/renewal
Most of the formalities can now be completed online on the Digital Administration for Foreign Nationals in France (ANEF) website Go to the dedicated website
Your préfecture depends on the department of your place of residence:
You live in the department 01: Préfecture de l'Ain
You live in department 42: Préfecture de La Loire
You live in department 69: Préfecture du Rhône
Your department number is the first two numbers of your zip code. Examples: 69100 Villeurbanne => department 69, 42000 Saint Etienne => department 42
Your préfecture depends on the department of your place of residence:
You live in the department 01: Préfecture de l'Ain
You live in department 42: Préfecture de La Loire
You live in department 69: Préfecture du Rhône
Your department number is the first two numbers of your zip code. Examples: 69100 Villeurbanne => department 69, 42000 Saint Etienne => department 42
Any questions?
You can check out our help page.
If you have any doubts or specific requests, contact Espace Ulys: information@espace-ulys.fr. You need to register in advance with our Euraxess France database.
If you have any doubts or specific requests, contact Espace Ulys: information@espace-ulys.fr. You need to register in advance with our Euraxess France database.