Mobility of International Students in France - News!

Published on 19 May 2021, a circular from the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, specifies the new conditions of mobility in France for international students. What are these new conditions?

Incoming mobility

From now on, the following are authorised:

Visas for competitive examinations, only for students who are eligible for the oral exams
Visas for FLE followed by registration for the next academic year
Visas for enrolment for the next academic year (including FLE)  

Please note that these authorisations are not valid for category 3* countries (including South Africa).

Not permitted:

Short stay visas for summer courses and summer schools
Except for category 1 and 2* countries which are not subject to the compelling reasons requirement.

Outgoing mobility

From now on, the following are allowed

Participation in academic programmes (in the broadest sense) including :
- for internships
- for category 3* countries: be careful to check the situation in the destination country and to ensure the conditions for returning to France.

Special cases

Lebanon 
The regime is the same as for French and European nationals, so there is no obligation of a compelling reason.

United Kingdom
The United Kingdom, as a third country, is classified in category 2*. The admission rules are likely to change in the very short term due to the local health context.

The rules are still being negotiated concerning internships in the UK in particular.

* Countries are classified in four categories according to the health situation.
More information on the website of the Ministry of the Interior: (in French) https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Attestatio…