| Dear Partners,
In recognition of the diversity and vitality that they bring to France’s academic communities, international students have been a national priority for France since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While travel restrictions remain in place for travelers from certain countries (including the United States) into France, students are now eligible for exemptions from travel restrictions.
- Campus France USA is accepting and reviewing pre-consular Etudes en France applications
Students in programs of over 90 days in France may complete and submit the pre-consular Etudes en France application for review by Campus France USA.
- VFS Centers around the country are open and accepting appointments for student visa applicants
Most VFS Centers around the country are now open and accepting student visa application appointments. They are however operating at limited capacity in compliance with local public health regulations. More information about VFS Centers and opening hours may be found here. As a reminder, students may review our Guide to the student visa application here.
- Student visa applications are being reviewed and visas are being issued
Student visas are currently being processed and issued. VFS Centers across the country gradually resumed student visa appointments starting on June 29th, 2020.
- Students may travel to France for the purpose of study
Students traveling from the United States to France for the purposes of higher education are considered a priority category, and are considered eligible for an exemption to the travel restrictions.Students traveling to France for a program of study of over 90 days (who are requested to have a long-stay student visa) and students traveling to France for programs of study of under 90 days (who may be authorized, depending on their nationality, to travel without visa, but who will have to prove their status when travelling, see below) will be permitted to travel to France under the current exemption.
All student travelers need to print and complete the Attestation de déplacement dérogatoire vers la France métropolitaine depuis les pays tiers et déclaration sur l’honneur. Check the box for Etudiant titulaire d’un VLS, d’un VCS pour études ou pour stages (hors VCS Concours), ou venant pour moins de 90 jours en provenance d’un pays dispensé de VCS, justifiant d’un lieu d’hébergement en France. Please note that students should complete the French version of this form, as the English translation has yet not been updated as of August 20, 2020.
Students traveling to France for a program of study of over 90 days will attest to their student status with their long-stay visa.
Students traveling to France for programs of study of under 90 days (who may not have a visa, since VCS or visas de court séjour, are not issued to US citizens and residents) will need to travel with a proof of housing in France for the entirety of their program period. They should also travel with documents that prove their enrollment in a higher education or study abroad program in France.
As has been requested for all travelers from the United States to France since August 1st, students must present, when they board the plane, a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before the flight. More information for students can be found on this informational flyer, and in this Campus France Paris article.
All travelers should also ensure they meet any safety requirements their airlines may have in place.
Campus France USA will continue to update our COVID-19 FAQs to reflect any new information we receive.
We also would like to remind you that the French Embassy along with the FACE Foundation has launched an emergency response grantmaking initiative to support virtual exchange and COIL initiatives so crucial to maintaining global ties and forging new partnerships during this global health crisis. The initiative, Transitioning to Virtual Exchange, is open to institutional applicants including colleges and universities, community colleges, and study abroad provider organizations.
We encourage you to learn more and apply for grant funding by October 30, 2020. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.
We look forward to working with you and your students in the months to come to strengthen our cooperation.
Best regards,
Campus France USA |
