Specific procedures to host scientists from abroad were created in 1998 in France. A procedure based on a unique document called “Protocol of Welcoming “(delivered by a public body) dispenses the researcher of presenting any contract of employment. Researchers just need a “scientific” visa and a “scientific” resident’s permit.

In addition, in 2016, France adopted new measures to improve students and international scientists welcoming and facilitate their integration in France. Here what has changed :

• No medical examination anymore : students as well as foreign researchers who have a “Passeport Talent” visa do not have to get a medical examination and to present a medical certificate during their application of a residence permit.
  
• A multiannual resident’s permit available for all: the multiannual resident’s permit ( CSP) is not reserved for students of second cycle (Master’s degree) anymore and applies now at every level of study.
  
• The “Passeport Talent”: This document can be delivered for a maximum of 4 years. It gives under certain conditions, the right to exercise a professional activity without requesting the agreement of the DIRECCTE (The Regional offices of companies, competition, work and employment).
• APS (Temporary Residence Permit): that allows foreign students to stay in France at the end of their studies to seek a job.

Some examples of French structures and institutions for researchers from abroad :

Campus France

Campus France is a public institution in charge of the promotion of French higher education abroad and the welcoming of students and foreign  researchers in France. It encourages international mobility, manages grants programs and runs an alumni network.

The platform of PhD and post-doc offers

Campus France has set up and manages the “Research in France” platform which groups the set of the internship of Master’s degree in laboratory offers and doctorate and post-doctorate offers.

For more details, have a look at our article.

Campus France has also gathered some very useful information on how to finance your PhD in France.

The directory of graduate schools

Campus France gives students and foreign researchers a directory of 270 graduate schools of French higher education.

French research sites maps

Campus France established a map of French research sites in France and a map of French research sites abroad. They allow you to locate quickly the sites of the French research in France and in the rest of the world.

Index sheets

Published by Campus France and classified by discipline (mathematics, physical appearance, biology, etc.), index sheets “allow students and foreign researchers to get acquainted with environment of French research : important personalities, main research laboratories, big discoveries, stakes and perspectives, etc.

Acc&ss FnAK

The two main missions of acc&ss FnAK are to facilitate the mobility of the foreign researchers towards France and to maintain the contact with them after their departure.  

Acc&ss FnAK offers you :

• Personalized support before your coming to France via the Euraxess Centers and Contact points. They offer free and personalized proximity assistance  to researchers and their families settling down in France. They work in connection with administrative departments of your welcoming city to help you along the way.
• Legal and practical support concerning insurance, social welfare, taxes, banking, pension housing, childcare, French as a foreign language, etc.

For more details, have a look at our article.

But also…

The association “Chercheurs Étrangers à Nantes ” (“Foreign researchers in Nantes”);

Ifremer (French Research Institute for the Exploitation of the Sea) provide aids such as social welfare during the length of stay;

      EHESS (Institut des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales);

     The City of Paris explains procedures about funding, accomodation, etc.

PAUSE

Fondation de France has launched in 2017 the “PAUSE program” (National Program of Help to Emergency Reception of Scientists in Exile)” to welcome foreign researchers at risk.

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Further reading 

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