Long-Stay Visa “Student Internship”

Many international students choose France to complement their studies with professional experience in a company. In some academic fields, internships are an essential part of the curriculum: mandatory internships, end-of-studies internships, applied internships or practical training periods.

When this internship takes place in France and lasts more than three months, students from outside the European Union must obtain a long-stay “intern” visa to carry out their internship legally.

This visa allows the student to stay in France for the entire duration specified in the internship agreement and to perform the tasks defined by the host organisation.

The procedure involves several administrative steps: internship agreement, visa application file at the consulate, and visa validation after arrival in France.

JJP Visas Consulting assists students and educational institutions in preparing these steps to secure the visa application and facilitate administrative installation in France.

Who is concerned by the “student internship” visa?

The long-stay “student internship” visa concerns foreign students who must complete an internship in France as part of their academic programme. Several conditions generally apply.

Be enrolled in an educational institution

The applicant must be enrolled in a university, higher education institution, specialised institute or training organisation. This institution may be located:

• In the student’s home country
• In another country
• In France, when the internship is part of a study programme

Complete an internship integrated into the curriculum

The internship must be directly linked to the study programme and part of the student’s academic pathway. It may be, for example:

• A mandatory internship required by the programme
• An end-of-studies internship
• A practical internship validating credits or training modules

Have a valid internship agreement

The internship must be governed by a tripartite internship agreement, signed by:

• The student
• The educational institution
• The host organisation in France

This agreement defines:

• The tasks assigned to the intern
• The duration of the internship
• Supervision conditions
• Any internship allowance arrangements

When the internship exceeds three months, it generally falls under the VLS-TS “intern” long-stay visa.

What the “student internship” visa allows

The student intern visa allows the student to complete their internship in France while remaining connected to their academic programme.

Stay in France for the duration of the internship

The visa authorises the student to reside in France for the entire duration specified in the internship agreement.

Carry out the tasks defined in the agreement

The intern may perform the activities defined in the agreement:

• Participation in company projects
• Pedagogical or technical tasks
• Immersion in a professional environment

These activities must remain consistent with the educational purpose of the internship.

Receive an internship allowance

When the internship exceeds the thresholds set by French law, the host organisation must pay a minimum internship allowance.

This allowance is intended to cover certain expenses during the internship.

Enhance the academic pathway

An internship in France may allow:

• Validation of academic credits
• Writing of an internship report or thesis
• Acquisition of international professional experience

This experience is often a valuable asset for future employment.

A status limited to the internship

The intern visa is strictly limited to the internship framework.

It does not allow the student to take up other paid employment and does not automatically lead to long-term residence.

Personalised support for the student internship visa

Preparing a visa application can be complex, especially when several institutions are involved: educational institution, host company, consulate.

Support helps verify the compliance of the file and anticipate administrative requirements.

Verification of the “student internship” framework

This includes:

• Verifying enrolment in an educational institution
• Reviewing the internship agreement and its link to the study programme
• Examining the duration and allowance conditions

If the situation corresponds to another status (e.g., a standard student visa), the most appropriate administrative framework may be identified.

Complete assistance with the visa application

Support may include:

• Preparing a personalised list of required documents
• Verifying identity, financial and insurance documents
• Completing the France-Visas application
• Booking the consulate or visa centre appointment
• Preparing the file for submission

Assistance is also available to respond to additional requests from consular authorities.

Fee for visa application assistance: €600 (excluding visa fees and service provider fees).

Support after arrival in France

After arrival, several steps must be completed to finalise the administrative situation. Support may include:

• Assistance with online validation of the VLS-TS
• Help responding to prefecture requests

Fee for residence formalities: €1,000.

Complete package: visa + residence formalities

For students seeking full support, a comprehensive package is available, including:

• Visa application preparation
• Assistance with visa validation after arrival
• Support for a first residence permit application if needed

Total fee: €1,500.

Payment and refund conditions

Payments are organised according to the steps of the procedure:

• €600 at the start of the visa application
• €1,000 after the visa is issued, for residence formalities

For the full package:

• €600 at the start
• €900 after the visa is issued

Partial refunds may apply in certain situations, particularly when administrative conditions are not met or when the procedure cannot continue.

FAQ – Student Internship Visa France

Need help preparing your student internship visa?

Support helps secure the application and avoid common mistakes. Contact us if you need assistance with your student internship visa for France.