Visas for non-European students
If your stay in France lasts for more than three months, you will need to obtain a long-term student visa before your arrival in France. The request for the form must be made at the French consular services in your country of residence at least 3 months before your departure or at your local Campus France.
In order to obtain your visa, you will be asked for the following documents:
• A valid passport,
• Proof of your admission or pre-enrolment at the Ecole de design Nantes Atlantique (use your official letter of acceptance sent by post),
• Proof of your monthly income of at least €615.
With your visa, you will receive a form, which you will need to complete upon your arrival in France and send to the OFII, the French immigration office. The school will help you with these procedures. You will then receive a certificate from the OFII, which you will need to keep safe and you will be called for a medical examination and an interview. You will also have to pay a tax of €55 by purchasing an OMI stamp. This system replaces the former residence permit.
If your visa carries the mention, "Dispense temporaire de carte de séjour" (temporaire exemption or the residence permit), you will not receive any form and do not have to go to the OFII.
A visa is not required for students who are citizens of the following countries or zones:
• the European Union (EU)
• the European Economic Area (EEA)
• Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland or the Vatican.
Documents you will need for your stay in France
Non-European students
• A minimum of 8 passport photos
• An accommodation certificate (we will give you this when you arrive)
• 3 copies of school certificate in French (we will send you this via email)
• Health card and vaccination certificate
• Private health insurance if you are 28 years old or over (otherwise you can buy it from the Smeba once you arrive)
• Money for rent and deposit
• 200 euros for your manditory French health insurance.
• A copy of your birth certificate translated into French by an authorised translator
• Your bank details in your home country
• Proof of your financial resources of the last 2 years (if you want to benefit from the French housing benefit)
Health insurance
If you are under 28 years old, you are obliged to sign up for the French social security system, which covers costs for your health care. The cost of French State health insurance is approximately 200 Euros for one year. We will help you sign up when you arrive.
If you are 28 years old or over, you will have the opportunity to buy a private insurance in France, or you can obtain health insurance in your own country before you arrive. If this is the case, please bring proof of this insurance with you.
Erasmus Students citizens of the European Union
• 3 copies of your school certificate in French (we will send you this via email)
• Your bank details in your home country
• Proof of your financial resources of the last 2 years (if you want to receive the French housing benefits)
• Your student card from your home university
• A certificate from your home university authorizing you to come to study in Nantes
• A copy of your birth certificate translated into French by an authorised translator
• Proof of your health insurance (social security) coverage :European health insurance card
• Your ID card
• About 8 ID pictures
• Money for rent and deposit
• An accommodation certificate (we will give you this when you arrive)
All students
Housing Insurance
Before you can move into your accommodation, you are required to purchase a compulsory housing insurance (SMEBA/ 40 Euros ). We will sell you this insurance at the school when you arrive.
Opening a bank account
You will need to open a bank account in France. For this you will need a certificate confirming your accommodation (we will give you this when you arrive), a school certificate in French and your passport. After you arrive, we will organize a meeting at the school with a bank, to give you the possibility to open a bank account directly if you wish.
For more information, please download the international student practical guide.
