Practical information

Visa and stay in France

There are different visa options. The most frequently used for studies are:
 

Visa exemption	Students from the EU or EEA as well as residents from Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra don’t need to apply for a visa for coming staying in France no matter how long they will stay.
Short stay visa for studies	For a stay up to 3 months. This is a Schengen regulation with no automatic application. Some countries have exceptions (list of those countries at http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr)
Long stay visa (VLS-TS)	Valid for one year maximum (could be less depending on the duration of stay). It will be used as a resident’s permit after validation with OFII in France (fees apply). The OFII procedure is to be done online (registration + buying of a excise stamp), within 3 months after the arrival in France. There are no exemption for long stay visa application. For students who need a visa, please register via CampusFrance.

Home Insurance and Civil Liability

In France, home insurance is compulsory. Home insurance is a coverage in case of any incident (fire, burglary, water damage...). Students must subscribe one before coming in France (only with companies based on the French territory) and must provide a proof of it to incoming@utt.fr when they have booked an accommodation with the International Center and to their landlord when they have found an accommodation by themselves (the payment occurs once in France).

• By subscribing a home insurance, students will also get a Civil Liability which covers any damages made to a third person and which is required to be administratively registered to the UTT.
• The online platform ( Feel Francais) also  helps students to subscribe home insurance thanks to different partnerships with companies in Troyes. The procedure and details to access to this platform are passed  to the students by e-mail at least few weeks before the official arrival dates.
• Home insurance remains under students’ sole responsibility : they must notify any change of accommodation to their insurance company that may occurs during their stay and they must renew their subscription by themselves every year.

More information here
 

CVEC: Student and Campus life Contribution

Since the 2018-2019 academic year, students admitted to a French institution of higher education are subject to a new fee (payable every academic year, 100€ as of 2024/2025) known as the CVEC, which helps to finance on-campus programs that enhance the student experience:

• Exchange students are not subject to CVEC
• Only students subject to payment of tuition fees (academic fees), whoever pays for it and whatever the amount, are subject to payment of CVEC. Payment of CVEC must occur prior to registration and students must provide a copy of the released proof of payment to the International Center.

WARNING: students MUST wait for the International Center’s emails before doing anything!

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Living expenses

The average living expenses are around 600€-700€ per month. The cost of living for students in France is one of the cheapest in the Western World. When students are making their budget forecast they should divide their expenses into 2 categories: their regular living expenses and the additional expenses associated with travelling.

Students should make sure to have an International Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard). Whichever type of accommodation they choose, they will have to pay a rent and a deposit upon arrival.

More information here
 

Checklist before leaving home

Students are asked to consult our "International Students Guide" to bring the mandatory documents with them in France.
 

Legislation and regulations at UTT and in France

Students have to consult and to take note of the main legislation and regulations at the UTT and in France before their arrival.

This document is not exhaustive, for more details, students are invited to consult the different websites or to consult us in case of any doubts or questions.

Local tax

This tax is compulsory and MUST be paid by every tenant and every owner in France to the French Government.
For more information please consult the web site: www.impots.gouv.fr.

Housing benefits

Housing benefit (or “CAF” in French) is a financial support from the French Government. People can benefit from it when they pay for a rent in France and depending on their financial situation.

Note that the International Department is not in charge of the students’ application to CAF and do not provide help to the students to apply but an information note is available here and a tutorial in English is available here.

Move out (from your accommodation)

In France, the law compels people to respect the notice periods before moving out: One month's notice when students are at the end of their studies and about to return to their home country/begin their internship. Three months’notice in any other case (i.e. you stay in France but want to move out). The month notice has to be given to the real estate agency by e-mail.

Note that no departure date and no inventory of fixtures’ appointment will be changed, postponed, cancelled once students send their months’ notice.

Before leaving France

Students are asked to consult to our "International Students Guide" to know what is mandatory to do before leaving France.

More information here