In this section, you will find all essential information on the various procedures you need to come study at Telecom Business School as an international student. You can also find information in the International Student Guide edited by Telecom Business School, a complete guide for international students.

Visa and Residence Permit

Please go to the official government site.
After being accepted in a program, Admissions or International Services will send you an acceptance letter. With this letter you may register on-line with the French Embassy or Consulate in your country of origin to obtain a student visa (procedure CEF).

Do you need a visa?

European citizens, and those from the European Free Trade Area known as Shengen, may enter and stay in France at their convenience. They do not need a visa to enter and stay on French territory.

On the other hand, non european citizens must obtain a visa to enter France.

What type of visas?

Different categories of visas provide various types of protection for international students. Consulate services in your country of origin will help you understand the rules and regulations that apply. 

• Students may obtain short or long stay visas, for studies or for research. This visa, with multiple entries, lasts a maximum of three months and allows students to travel in all 25 countries within the Shengen Area. It does not allow access to a resident permit nor to a visa renewal. 
• Certain short-stay visas only allow students to enter for the purpose of entrance exams. 
• Long term visas fall under the decree 2009-477, of April 27, 2009. Students arriving in France holding such a visa no longer have to request a residence permit during their first year on French territory (the visa validates a residence VLS VT, equivalent to a residence permit for the first year).

Social Security (Health Insurance)

Scenario 1: Exchange students attending courses for less than three months

A student registered for one semester has to prove registration in his/her own country of international health and liability insurance : he or she has to bring a personal insurance policy translated into French - details must show that insurance will pay the hospital directly otherwise the student will have to pay him/herself. For other matters the student must be aware that he/she will pay doctors and medicine him/herself and will be refunded in his/her country afterwards. For information, the cost of a medical visit varies between 22 € and 45€ and medicine can easily reach 50 €.

Scenario 2: Exchange students attending courses for a semester who cannot prove the payment of personal heath insurance from country of origin, or student coming for more than three months

You must join the French social security scheme. Students who come to France on an international exchange lasting over three months must pay social security contributions even if they are already a member of a foreign public social security scheme or have a private French or foreign insurance policy.

Telecom Business School must affiliate all students registered at the start of each academic year.
This means that the student joins the local university scheme (LMDE or SMEREP) which is responsible for providing Social Security benefits (e.g. reimbursement of medical costs and prescriptions).
This applies to students:

• of French nationality (either by birth or naturalization) on presentation of an official document;
• of foreign nationality subject to their stay in France being legal (students from non-EU states or from the European Economic Area member states).

European students have the same rights as French students. Contributions amount to approximately €203for the academic year and may be revised every year (2010-2011 rate given above).

Scenario 3: Students who are excluded or exempt from French Social Security

The following are excluded from the student social security scheme:

• People over the age of 28 on 1st October of the academic year. 
• People who are working and have a regular and adequate income, while also studying, and whose fixed-term or permanent contract covers the academic year (1st October to 30th September). The minimum number of hours worked must be 120 per quarter. 
• People eligible to receive social security benefits due to their spouse, parents, partner (PACS law). 
• Holders of European social security cover: the European Social Security card must be presented. 
• Students from Quebec taking part in a university exchange: the SE 401 Q 106 form must be presented.
• French students taking part in a university exchange: the SE 401 Q 106 form filled in by Telecom Business School before departure and validated by the French Social Security Center must be presented.

Scenario 4: Visitors to France (PhDs, "guest" academics)

People with visas stating that they are “visitors” or “researchers” are not covered by the French social security scheme.  They must take out a voluntary personal insurance policy as soon as they arrive in France (be aware, for adults cost is very high), if they do not hold an international insurance policy and its translation.