FranceStudy and training

France internship visa (stagiaire)

Long-stay visa « stagiaire » (internship and training)

In short

Interns coming to France for more than three months need a long-stay "stagiaire" visa based on a tripartite internship agreement validated by the administration before arrival. Company internships last up to six months and require at least EUR 615 a month; continuing-training placements can last 12 months and require EUR 1,867.02 a month.

Apply on France-Visas (official visa portal) checked 25 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Company internship: six months initially; continuing training: 12 months, renewable once up to 18 months.
Fee
€99Standard long-stay visa fee in the official France-Visas fee table.
Funds required
€615 per monthMinimum for company internships; EUR 1,867.02 a month for continuing-training placements; hospital interns show the stipend paid.
Work
Only the internship under the agreement.
Where to apply
France-Visas and the French consulate or its visa centre in your country of residence, after the host has had the agreement validated.

Three internship routes

Company internships rest on an agreement between you, your school or foreign employer and the French host; it cannot turn you into an employee. Continuing training is agreed between you, your foreign employer and a French training body. Hospital internships follow international hospital cooperation agreements. Internships of up to three months use a short-stay visa.

Validation of the agreement

The host must submit the agreement to the administration at least two months before the start (one month for certain cooperation programmes). If there is no answer within 30 days (15 days for those programmes), the request is refused. The validated agreement is then presented with the visa application.

The host files the request either online or by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt to the prefecture, and the stamped agreement is sent to you before you travel. The visa application then needs a valid passport, the tripartite agreement stamped by the administration, proof of resources and proof of accommodation in France. Hospital interns must show resources at least equal to the stipend they will be paid.

  1. Ask the French host to submit the internship agreement for validation at least two months before the start.
  2. Create your long-stay application on France-Visas, choosing the "internship" purpose, and print the form and receipt.
  3. Book an appointment with the French consulate or the visa application centre it uses in your country of residence, and attend in person with originals and copies.
  4. Pay the visa fee and give fingerprints; the consulate decides on the long-stay visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS).
  5. Within three months of arriving in France, validate the VLS-TS online on the ANEF website and pay the residence tax.
  6. Attend the OFII appointments if you are summoned (medical visit, integration contract where applicable).
  7. Apply online for the residence card between four and two months before the VLS-TS expires.

After arrival: VLS-TS, OFII and residence card

Validate the VLS-TS online on the ANEF website within three months of arrival and pay the residence tax; without validation you are not lawfully resident and cannot travel back to France after leaving. OFII may summon you for a medical visit. Apply online for the next card between four and two months before the visa expires.

Renewal

An extension requires an amendment validated by the administration; silence for 15 days counts as acceptance. The renewed card costs EUR 150 in tax stamps.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • France-Visas long-stay form and receipt, signed
  • Passport valid for the stay, issued less than 10 years ago, with copies
  • Recent ICAO-standard photo and proof of legal residence in the country where you apply

Travel

  • Proof of accommodation in France

Money

  • Proof of resources (EUR 615 a month, or EUR 1,867.02 for training)

Work

  • Internship or training agreement stamped as validated by the administration

Insurance

  • Health insurance

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need for a company internship?

At least EUR 615 a month.

Can the internship last a year?

Company internships start at up to six months; continuing training can last 12 months.

What if the administration does not answer?

After 30 days without an answer the validation request is refused.

Can a continuing-training placement be extended?

Only once, through an amendment validated by the administration, and the whole placement cannot exceed 18 months.

Does the internship visa make me an employee?

No. The internship agreement cannot give you employee status, whichever of the three routes you use.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for France

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

Study and training

  • Student visa Validity: VLS-TS from four months to one year; then a one-year card, followed by a multi-year card for the rest of the degree.
  • Researcher visa Validity: Length of the hosting agreement, up to four years.

Work

  • Work visa Validity: First year on the VLS-TS; then a four-year multi-year card for permanent employees still in the job, or a card matching the fixed-term contract.
  • Skilled worker visa Validity: Length of the contract, up to four years.
  • EU Blue Card Validity: Contracts of two years or more: length of the contract up to four years; shorter contracts: contract plus three months, up to two years.
  • Intra-company transfer visa Validity: Length of the assignment, up to three years, minus time already spent on the visa; not renewable.

Family

  • Family reunification visa Processing time: The mayor checks resources and housing within two months; the prefect decides within six months of the complete file reaching OFII (silence means refusal).
  • Spouse and partner visa Validity: VLS-TS valid one year; then a multi-year card of two to four years.

Residence

  • Retirement visa Validity: VLS-TS for the first year, then a renewable one-year card.
  • Permanent residence Validity: 10 years, renewable. The EU card lapses after more than three consecutive years outside the EU or six years outside France; the ordinary resident card after more than three consecutive years outside France.

Protection

France visa guide