International Students – Prepare for Your Arrival in France

First, enroll in health coverage and secure housing within the first week of arrival. Use the university’s international office to access the official procedures and the link to CPAM or PUMA, and set up a basic bank account and SIM card. Also bring your passport, visa pages, and admission letter to speed checks.

Know several housing options around campus, including residence halls and private apartments in the built area along busy streets near your building. Having a rental contract in hand speeds move-in, and you can explore the beaux-arts quarter for affordable studios. Start with a campus housing list and then compare neighborhoods by proximity to classes, markets, and transit stops.

Follow the arrival procedures promptly: confirm your visa status, complete university registration, and open a local bank account. Use the official link to submit documents and book any required appointments. Some services operate on sunday hours in student centers, so check times in advance.

Plan meals around campus cuisine and grocery options, with quick lunch ideas nearby. Cafeterias and libraries offer organic options, and you can read menu boards to learn daily specials. Get familiar with the building layout of your campus to find the best dining paths along the streets between lecture halls.

If you are a non-exchange student, use dedicated guides and several campus resources to plan your stay. The link to housing, health coverage, and campus cards should be included in your checklist. Make sure to include a budget for groceries and transit; plan to spend about 200-350 euros per week in Paris for initial needs, with city variations.

Secure Housing Before Arrival: How to Find a Place, Understand Leases, and Gather Required Documents

Start your housing search at least eight weeks before you arrive in France to secure a place that fits your enrolment and budget. Build a short list of options across campus halls, private studios, and shared flats, and compare price ranges by district so you can choose confidently on move-in day.

Ways to look for housing include university housing portals, campus notice boards, and reputable rental sites. Filter by district to balance distance across campus with price, and request virtual tours if you’re abroad. When you connect with a landlord, ask for a clear answer on the hall type, kitchen facilities, and whether parking is included or available nearby. Keep notes on each option with address, rent, required documents, and the latest daterequired for signing.

Understand leases clearly: most student contracts run 9 to 12 months; some buildings offer shorter or longer terms. The contract should spell monthly rent, a security deposit, and what is included (heating, water, and building insurance). Check the notice period, rules about subletting, break clauses, and how to renew. Confirm the move-in date and whether the building requires you to carry renter’s insurance. Ensure the terms align with your enrolment timeline and the climb of your course schedule when exams approach.

Gather required documents in advance: passport and visa or residence permit, a formal enrolment letter from your university, proof of funds for the first several months, a recent bank statement, and a guarantor if needed. Collect references from previous landlords if available and a copy of your international health insurance. Have a local contact in France if possible, and save these documents in a single folder labeled housing for easy sharing when you apply. Note any daterequired for signing and plan to provide everything at once to speed applications.

Practical tips: learn a few rental terms in the local language to follow conversations during viewings, and clearly ask about utilities, internet, and maintenance responsibilities. Inspect the building’s condition, especially the hall, stairs, and entry security. Check parking availability if you drive, and verify proximity to campus across walking routes. If you’re exploring a petit studio, confirm that it includes essential furniture and a functional kitchenette. Consider the cultural distance you’ll encounter–ask about nearby events, markets, and language support programs to ease your transition.

Reach out to the university housing office for introductions to students who recently enrolled. mary from the international office can help you prepare a viewing list and explain common French rental practices. Share your priorities: budget, maximum distance to campus, needed parking, pet restrictions, and accessibility requirements to speed up responses from landlords.

Once you have a signed offer, confirm the move-in date and make a copy of the lease for your records. Prepare a short checklist to track tasks: collect guarantor details if required, finalize insurance, transfer funds for the initial payment, and arrange transportation on arrival. Keep a record of all correspondences, and set reminders for the longest lead times so you stay ahead of deadlines and avoid last-minute stress.

Visa, OFII, and Health Insurance: Step-by-Step Timeline and Checklist

First, lock your visa path for a long-stay student and map the OFII and health coverage steps. Gather essential documents: a passport valid at least six months beyond your planned stay, your university acceptance letter, proof of housing in France, evidence of funds (roughly €615 per month for living costs, plus tuition costs), two recent passport photos, translations of transcripts if required, and the OFII form if your consulate provides one. Pack a light t-shirt and a compact folder to keep things organized. The international office at pradel or your campus will provide a known checklist and a help line for questions.

Two to four weeks before departure, confirm your visa appointment, complete any required translations, and verify funds again. Make sure bank statements clearly show the minimum resources, and ensure you can access funds during the first weeks in France. Prepare a travel plan with your flight details and a rough arrival date; save contact info for your host university and the embassy. On pack day, include a small line of items for the trip, such as a few dishes you want to taste on your first meals, and a plan for the afternoon when you start exploring around the pont and the town.

Timeline

Upon landing, you typically have up to three months to validate your long-stay status with OFII. You will receive an OFII form; send it back with passport copies and two photos, and pay the approximate €245 fee if required. A short medical visit may be requested. After OFII validation, your residence status becomes effective and your visa stamp may be updated in your passport. In parallel, start health insurance steps: create an Ameli account, apply for the sécurité sociale student status, and obtain a social security number. The campus will often guide you to the mutuelle option; total annual costs for the core coverage run a few hundred euros, plus optional mutuelle for extra coverage. EU students with a current EHIC can use it in the initial period, then switch to the French system.

Checklist

Documents for visa: passport, photos, acceptance letter, proof of housing, funds, translations if required, and the OFII form if provided. For OFII: keep the form, schedule the medical visit if indicated, and retain stamps and receipts. Health insurance: set up Ameli access, secure your social security number, and enroll for student status; obtain a carte Vitale if issued; consider a mutuelle for better coverage. Upon arrival, visit the international office to confirm local addresses, pick up the campus map featuring attractions such as the opera house, small museums, ruins along the river, and the best spots for afternoon tours. Prepare a plan for your first week to visit a few attractions and start your campus life smoothly. If questions arise, write them down and ask the staff during office hours; this will help you adjust quickly and settle in confidently.

Open a French Bank Account and Get a Local SIM: The Quick Setup Guide

Open a French bank account within the first 48 hours of arrival to avoid cashflow gaps. Bring your passport, visa, proof of address, university enrollment letter, and a host letter if you’re staying with someone. Having these documents ready speeds onboarding and helps you reach a branch or finish the online form from your room. In Paris, one of the oldest and most beautiful cities along the rivers, starting early makes daily payments simpler as you settle in during the busy summer season.

Choose a bank with straightforward online onboarding and English support. Look for a same-day decision if you present all documents, and compare the range of fees for cards, withdrawals, and transfers. If you’re looking to minimize costs, start with an online option such as Boursorama or Hello bank, then visit a local hall or branch to finalize if needed. This approach keeps you connected in the busiest districts and helps you avoid parking hassles. In historic neighborhoods near the old city center, a local banker can explain the process clearly. A romain student or romains on campus can share tips about the best branches near the host and hall for student accounts. If your residency situation is still in flux, ask about temporary account options.

For a SIM, pick a plan that fits your data needs. Prepaid options offer flexibility and no credit check; student forfaits commonly include 5–20 GB plus calls. Verify compatibility with your phone and check coverage in cities and along rivers, including green, park-adjacent areas. Activate the SIM by presenting your ID and registering the address in France; staff can show you the quickest setup steps and the recommended range of plans. If you’re staying with a host, they’ll know the closest shops and typical hours, and you’ll be able to reach friends quickly during a festival or a weekend show. This contemporary approach helps you stay connected during your entire arrival and summer activities.

Two quick steps to start today

Step 1: Apply online or visit a branch with your documents, and ask about the residency situation for non-EU students if needed. Step 2: Get a local SIM at the same time or next to the bank; request English assistance and confirm activation steps so you can use data immediately. If you drive, check for parking nearby to save time. In most cities, you’ll find a hall near campus or a friendly shop that makes the process smoother, and you can head back to your room with everything set before your next class or the upcoming festival and summer activities.

University Registration and Student Card: Deadlines, Forms, and On-Campus Tips

Submit your registration before the published deadline on your université’s portal to ensure your student card is issued on time. Check the official source for the exact date and required authorisation steps; missing the date can slow processing and delay access to campus services.

• Prepare essential documents: passport, visa (if needed), birth certificate, proof of residence, two passport photos, and any prior acceptance letters. Keep small copies in a dedicated folder for easy uploads.
• Complete online forms carefully on the admissions platform; if the portal offers presets, review them to reflect your details accurately before submission.
• Note your student number as soon as it is issued and use it in all communications with the registrar and student services.
• Pay any required tuition deposit or campus fees and save the receipt; verify the payment status in the portal so nothing sits pending.
• Update your address and contact information in the account settings; this ensures you receive important notices about pickup slots and deadlines.
• Before arrival, read the orientation schedule and ask about authorisation steps for campus facilities; indulge in the musical welcome events to feel more relaxed and connected.
• For international students from different countries, confirm any country-specific requirements and how they affect enrolment; the straightforward path comes from the official pages rather than informal sources.
• Note that coll̀ege and université pages may use different terminology for the same form; clearly identify which section you need to complete to avoid delays.

Deadlines, Forms, and Where to Check

1. Locate the official source page labeled Inscription or Enregistrement on your university site; record the number of days before the start date that the portal closes.
2. Fill the online forms for your status (e.g., student, exchange, or frais d’inscription); use the presets if offered, and double-check details before submitting.
3. Upload required documents (passport, visa if applicable, photos, proof of address, and letter of admission); ensure file sizes meet the listed limits.
4. Submit any health or accommodation declarations requested by the campus; confirm via the portal and save the confirmation number.
5. Monitor the notification area for your student number and next steps; respond quickly to avoid a hold on registration.

On-Campus Tips for Card Pickup and Usage

1. Arrive early on the pickup day; lines can be long, but a relaxed plan helps you move through the process smoothly.
2. Bring originals and copies of all documents: passport, visa, birth certificate, proof of address, and a confirmation email; the staff may ask to see both sets.
3. Head to the carte étudiant counter and address the staff clearly; this is often the third station in the registration flow, and they will verify your identity and issue the card.
4. Verify your student number and photo on the card; report any mismatch immediately to prevent delays in library, printing, or meal services access.
5. Test campus access right away: library login, printing, cafeteria meal plans, and transit passes; check that the card works at the main entrances and near the fountain and older buildings on the map.
6. Grab a campus map and explore where the oldest building sits near a stunning fountain; this area is a famous landmark and a great starting point for navigating your first days.
7. Attend orientation activities to meet peers from countries around the world; these events are a great way to build connections and ease the transition into campus life.

Daily Life in France: Transport Passes, Shopping Tips, and Useful Apps

Get a weekly transport pass if you’ll stay more than a few days; it covers metro, bus, tram, and RER in most cities and saves time and money.

Transport Passes

In Paris and many regional cities, weekly passes for zones 1-2 cost roughly 25–30 EUR; broader coverage can be 40–45 EUR. Check exact rates on the official transit site for your city; rates vary by zones, therefore plan with campus staff for subsidies or guidance.

Buy at station counters or self-service machines, or load onto a contactless card via a mobile app. Processing times are very quick, and online accounts speed up future renewals. For students, ask campus services or the student union about possible subsidies or guidance on where to pick up passes. After you activate it, you can tap on gates or readers, and the pass works across metro, bus, tram, and RER in most networks. Having the card ready minimizes queues at the station.

Stations located in city centers, near rivers and hills, make it easy to start your day. Travel is fluent throughout the network, and in the evening the rose lumière along the river creates a pleasant atmosphere. A mural near the station adds a splash of color to your arrival, and romains plaques in some districts hint at a long history. Keep these details in mind as you plan routes and welcome the chance to explore different parts of the city.

Keep the transit card and your phone handy for them to tap at gates; this helps you move smoothly between lines and avoid delays.

Many students live in shared houses near campus, so reliable transit helps with daily study and social life.

Shopping Tips

Shop at local marchés (markets) for fresh produce; vendors–often mamas–offer seasonal items at good prices. You’ll source cheese, herbs, and fruit directly from producers, which keeps costs down and supports local cuisine. Markets across cities open in the morning and shrink as the day goes on; plan around hills or riverside routes for a pleasant stroll.

Carry reusable bags; many shops charge for bags, so a stylish t-shirt tote helps you stay flexible. For bulk items, compare unit prices (per kg) to avoid overpaying. If you’re living in student rooms or shared houses, buy in quantities that fit your cooking schedule and space.

Use presets in your budget app to maintain a basic grocery plan–one basket for weekdays, another for weekend meals. This approach translates into more predictable spending while you explore the local cuisine across towns. For quick meals, stock staples that work with a few regional dishes, such as bread, cheese, tomatoes, and olive oil.

Useful apps can improve daily shopping and travel: Citymapper, Google Maps, and Moovit for real-time transit; payment apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay can speed up purchases; a simple recipe app helps you plan meals from what you have in your rooms. These tools help you navigate across cities, rail stations, and markets, from a campus to the riverfront and back to your houses.