Preparing for your arrival
Coming to the UniversityPreparing for your arrival
Procedures for the formalities of your stay
Students from the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)
Visa applications do not apply to students from a country in the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA). Having a residence permit is not compulsory in France.
More information:
International students with a valid residence permit for an EU or EEA country must apply for a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) for a study visit to France lasting more than 3 months.
The University’s International Welcome Office will provide you with assistance in these procedures.
Contact: ri-bai @ univ-lemans.fr
Students NOT from the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)
- Visa
Depending on your circumstances, you must apply for a specific visa at least two months before your arrival date: short-stay visa, long-stay student visa, long-stay internship visa, etc.
More information about the different types of visas is available on the Campus France website:
Campus France French - Campus France English - Campus France Spanish
Official visa website for France
Visa validation
Students must validate their VLS-TS within three months of arriving in France. The validation procedure is mandatory and now completely online: Download the information sheet
Student Visa renewal
Students who wish to remain in France for longer than the validity period of their VLS-TS, must apply for a residence permit at their local prefecture within the two months prior to the expiry date of their long-term visa. For further information: Download the information sheet
The University’s International Reception Office will provide you with assistance in these procedures.
Contact: ri-bai @ univ-lemans.fr
Individual student
Student on exchange programme
The “Campus Rentrée FLE” (summer school for a week: French as a Foreign Language at the start of the academic year)
Each year during the last week of August, the International Relations department offers the Campus Rentrée FLE to international students registered at Le Mans University.
Included in the programme is an intensive week of French as a foreign language “FFL” (30 hours of lessons) to get you off to a good start before the term starts!
Contact: campus.langues @ univ-lemans.fr