Long Stay Visa
Passport Requirements | Visa Requirements | Visa Application
All students will need a valid passport, i.e. less than 10 years old, not expiring until at least three months beyond their date of return to the US.
First time applicants can apply at any Passport Acceptance Facility. Routine processing time is approximately 6 weeks. Students should allow ample time to do this
A long stay visa is mandatory for all non-European Union students planning to participate in the Georgia Tech Lorraine Fall and/or Spring Programs in France.
Step 1: Mandatory online registration with the French Embassy: Campus France Registration
Upon completion of the registration, the student will receive a confirmation message to their Campus France account, authorizing him/her to apply for a visa.
Step 2: A $70 Campus France registration fee must be submitted to Catherine Bass (GTL’s Atlanta Director of Academic Programs) by the set deadline. The only form of payment accepted is a money order, written out to Campus France. The student’s Campus France registration number must appear on the money order. (How and where to get a Money Order) Previously, students in Atlanta have used the Publix at Atlanta Station or Western Union to get a money order.
Upon completion of the Campus France registration -- typically 4 to 6 weeks later -- students will receive a confirmation message emailed to theri Campus France account, allowing them to apply for a visa.
Step 3: Purchase the mandatory Medical and Repatriation Insurance from TW Lord. The cost of the insurance is $1 per day, and meets the requirements to obtain a visa: minimum insurance coverage amounts and repatriation and evacuation clauses. The coverage dates must be identical to the dates on the student’s plane ticket. Upon receipt of the student’s payment, TW Lord will issue the document to be included in the visa application packet. Contact TW Lord at vera@twlord.com
Step 4: Online appointment for the student visa application. Please schedule your appointment as early as possible but within 60 days before departure to France. The student’s personal appearance at the consulate is required for finger printing purposes. Schedule an Appointment (Note IE should be used for compatibility purposes). Make sure to print the confirmation of your designated appointment day/time
Please note that students applying for their visa from a consulate outside of Atlanta must ask for the long stay visa for students which allows you to apply for the residency card. It is the consulate's prerogative to give you this visa or another long stay visa which does not allow you to apply for the Residency Card and Housing Subsidy
Students applying for their visas through the consulate in Atlanta must gather the documents listed here below. Students applying from other consulates will need to strictly follow the guidelines set by those specific consulates. However, all students will need the letter of acceptance into the program issued by Catherine Bass.
List of documents required for a visa application by the French Consulate in Atlanta:
1. The confirmation of your appointment at the consulate (printed from the French consulate's website)
2. Official checklist: This must be on top of your application packet and the items must be checked off
3. The confirmation message from Campus France (CF) allowing you to apply for the Visa. This message is sent by CF to your Message box inside your CF account and begins with "Congratulations, your application is now complete..."
4. The OFII Form (click here to download the form from the French Consulate's website)
Fill out the top portion only, of the form OFII translation.pdf This form will be stamped by the consulate and returned to you with your visa. This stamped document is an essential part of the application for the housing subsidy and you will need to turn it in to the GTL staff, the day of the first orientation.
5. A valid passport (less than 10 years old andvalid for 6 months after the student's planned return date)
6. Two copies of the passport page containing the student's Personal Information and Passport Number
7. Two Long Stay Visa Application Forms. Students must use this attached document to fill out the form with the proper contact names and addresses needed
8. Non-US Students only: copies of all Immigration Documents (e.g. green cared, signed I-20--check signatures on p.2, J-1, or other US visa, etc.)
9. Two recent passport-type photos: Students must follow the Schengen Visa Photograph Requirements
10. Proof of financial support: Students must prove that they have at least $820 per month (i.e. about $4,100/$4,500 for the semester) available in funds Acceptable documents include:
A recent personal bank statement-the student's name must appear on the statement
Scholarship award letter
Parent's bank statement with Letter of Guarantee, which is a signed letter stating their relationship to the student, and indicating that $820 will be made available to their son/daughter each month. Account numbers may be blacked out.
11. Insurance letter from TW Lord (see Step 3 above)
12. Copies of your Student ID card and Driver's License if applicable
13. Letter from the Program Director (Catherine Bass)
14. A copy of your travel itinerary
15. Visa Application Processing Fee (cash payment only).View the current Long Stay Visa Application Fee (French Consulate web site), subtract $70.00 from the total for the fee already paid to Campus France.
The consulate will notify students when their visas are ready for pick-up. If a student cannot return to the Consulate to retrieve the passport, visa and OFII form, a prepaid self-addressed FEDEX or UPS envelope must be submitted.