1 - INFORMATION

Read general information before applying.

The applicant should apply for the visa and should obtain it in his/her country of residence before arriving in France.

You have to apply with the French Consulate in Houston, only if you reside in one of the following states: Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

If you do not reside in one of those states, you have to apply with another French Consulate, depending on where you live in the United states. To know where to apply, click here.

An average processing time with a minimum of 2 weeks may be necessary.

If you apply in person, you have to come with the original documents plus one copy. This visa section does not make any copies.

IN ORDER TO IMPROVE OUR SERVICES, IT IS MANDATORY TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON LINE TO GET A VISA. NO APPOINTMENT WILL BE GIVEN BY PHONE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

2- REQUIREMENTS

 Original passport or travel document (+ ONE COPY of the identity pages). Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years ago, be valid for at least three months after your return to the US and have at least 2 blank visas pages left.

 1 long stay application form completely and legibly filled out. Please print in black. Indicate your phone numbers and e-mail.

click here for english translation

 1 recent passport size photograph. DO NOT GLUE to the form.

 For non American citizen : a proof of resident status in the US ( green card, valid US visa along with a copy of valid I-20 or valid I-AP66, visas. Original + 1 copy.

 The « convention de stage » (original + one copy) is obtained by the employer in France at the Direction Departementale du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle (D.D.T.E.F.P.) and must be signed by all parties, the employer in France, the student, and either the school in the USA or the employer in the USA . This convention de stage MUST BE STAMPED by the DDTEFP.

 If the convention de stage has not been stamped, a letter from the DDTEFP (Direction Départementale du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle) stating that the French Labor Department is aware that you are going to work in France as a « stagiaire ». Original + 1 copy.

 Proof of sufficient financial funds : for a student a financial guarantee such as a notarized statement certifying that the applicant will be provided with a monthly allowance of 615.00 € for the duration of his/her stay in France, or the amount of the allowance granted by the employer ; a proof of personal income (your three last bank statements) ; or for a salaried stagiaire, the pay slips for the last three months + a letter from the employer stating that the salary will be maintained for the duration of the stage, equivalent at least to the minimum monthly salary in France (1321,00 €).

 for the student stagiaire, some proof of lodging ; the fact that lodging has been paid for in advance or is free of charge will lessen the financial requirements; for the salaried stagiaire, any document relating to the lodging : hotel reservation, attestation from the employer, any other document.

 proof of medical insurance covering the stagiaire for the duration of his/her stay in France : a letter from your insurance company (a copy of your card is not enough) stating that you will be covered in Europe for any medical and repatriation expenses, during your whole stay, for at least $37000. If your insurance company does not provide such a coverage, you have to find an international insurance (do not forget to ask for the letter above mentionned).

 Processing fees: by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) cash or money-order only. Personal checks or American Express are not accepted.

Personal appearance is required.

REMARKS: please be aware that the Consular Administration has full authority to appreciate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant. Furthermore the visa does not in itself grant you the right to enter a French territory. It is necessary that you carry the original documents used to obtain the visa with you at all times. Border authorities may request that you show them upon entry to France.