Dossier

Visa & Admin · Updated August 2026

After you land: VLS-TS validation, CPAM and visa renewal

The first 90 days in France carry three hard deadlines. Miss the validation window and you are technically in an irregular situation — which blocks CAF, the renewal, and often the bank.

Validate the VLS-TS within 90 days

Validation is done online on the ANEF portal. You need your visa number, date of entry, French address and €225 in electronic tax stamps. Once validated, your visa acts as your residence permit for its whole duration.

Social security with CPAM

Register on etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr with your passport, visa, enrolment certificate, RIB and birth certificate translation. It is free, and it reimburses about 70% of medical costs. A complementary mutuelle covers the rest for €10–€30 a month.

Renewing the student residence permit

Start the renewal 2 to 4 months before expiry on ANEF. The prefecture checks academic progress: repeated years, changed fields without justification, or too few validated credits are the usual grounds for refusal.

  • Proof of enrolment for the new academic year
  • Transcripts showing validated credits
  • Proof of resources (€615/month) and current address
  • Récépissé keeps you legal while the file is processed

Working and staying after graduation

Students may work 964 hours a year. After a master's you can request the APS (autorisation provisoire de séjour) for 12 months to look for work or start a business, which is the standard bridge to a Talent Passport.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I do not validate my VLS-TS in time?

Your visa stops being a valid residence permit. You must then apply at the prefecture, which is slower, and you may be blocked from CAF and renewal until it is resolved.

How much does the VLS-TS validation cost?

€225 in electronic tax stamps, paid during the online validation on the ANEF portal.

Can I stay in France after my studies?

Yes, master's graduates can apply for a 12-month APS to search for work or create a company, which can convert into a Talent Passport or salaried permit.