FAQ - Students

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A VISA AND A RESIDENCE PERMIT?

A visa is used to legally enter a country, a residence permit is used to legally reside in that country.

WHEN AND HOW TO MAKE A FIRST REQUEST FOR A RESIDENCE PERMIT?

When the words "residence permit" are used, they include:

- a long stay visa validated online, therefore visa + validation certificate

- a residence title (card)

- a resident certificate (card)

- a récépissé for a renewal of residence permit, accompanied by the old residence permit

- an APS (temporary residence permit)

The first requests for residence permits at CMI Brest therefore concern:

- students arriving in France with a “schooled minor” visa

- students with a 3-month or 6-month visa who need to request a residence permit within two months of arriving in France

- Passeport Talent researchers with a contract exceeding one year and their spouse

Regarding the first request for a residence permit, when should it be made?

For students who are minors: the first request for a residence permit has to be made within 2 months of turning 18.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECEPISSE?

It depends on when the sub-prefecture in Brest reopens. The current situation does not allow scheduling of meetings because  prefectures and sub-prefectures in France are currently closed.

CAN I GO TO MY COUNTRY AND RETURN BEFORE THE END OF VALIDITY OF MY VISA?

Normally: Yes, if your visa has been validated and you have your validation certificate.

However, in a crisis like the one we are currently experiencing with COVID-19, you cannot be sure that you will be able to return to France before the end of your visa. If your visa expires, you will need to request a return visa or a new student visa from the French consulate closest to your home. We advise you to take with your documents proving your situation in France (school certificate, student card, rental lease, invoice, etc.)

 HOW TO RENEW MY RESIDENCE PERMIT?

During lockdown, regularly consult the "RCS JONCTION" section of the home page of the CMI Brest website

WILL I RENEW MY VISA WITHOUT PROBLEM AT THE END OF LOCKDOWN?

Deadlines are to be expected because there will be a high influx of requests.

 WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE YOUR INTERNSHIP YET?

If the internship has not been completed, the student must normally be registered for the following academic year, or benefit from a postponement of education and have in hand a certificate from his/her university/college certifying this.

The procedure to follow is therefore that of a renewal. There is no change of status, the person remains under student status.

WHAT ARE THE PROCEDURES FOR EXTENDING A RESIDENCE PERMIT?

Extensions of residence permits are made on an exceptional basis, for example to allow a doctoral student to defend his/her thesis.

In most cases, we refer to this as a "renewal of residence permit". This procedure is changing this year. You must consult the "RCS JONCTION" section on the home page of the CMI Brest website regularly to be informed about the procedures to follow.

I SUBMITTED MY REQUEST IN JANUARY AND I HAVE HAD NO NEWS. WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?

You were issued with a receipt ending either in April or July.

If the receipt ends in April, it is has been automatically extended by 3 months following the implementation of the emergency law passed on March 20th. No additional documents are required. Your social and labor rights remain the same.