Under-18 Students

Navigating all of the requirements of French immigration can be tricky. AUP’s Student Immigration Services exist to assist students with the immigration process and help make a potentially confusing process an orderly and painless one.

Necessary paperwork differs by student (see below). Be sure to look up what’s required of you from the moment you receive your acceptance letter and throughout your time at AUP.

Since some processes may take up to a few weeks (if the French Authorities’ Department which is on charge of processing the residency applications, is either understaffed or overworked-sometimes both- the residency renewal procedure can take a few months).

Therefore, it’s imperative that you follow the necessary steps at the earliest possible moment. You must take care of your immigration requirements in order to enroll and remain enrolled at AUP. Please be aware that it’s illegal to enter France under a tourist visa, or without a visa at all, with the intention of studying. Students living in France without the proper documents are subject to deportation.

Student Immigration Policy you are required to read.

BEGINNING THE IMMIGRATION PROCESS

When your application at AUP is accepted and if you have questions about the visa application, you must contact your AUP Admission Councilor.

Since the visa application can sometimes take some time, it is imperative that you follow the necessary steps at the earliest possible moment. You must take care of your immigration requirements in order to enroll and remain enrolled at AUP.

Be aware that it’s illegal to enter France under a tourist visa, or without a visa at all, with the intention of studying. Students living in France without the proper documents are subject to deportation.

Once admitted to The American University of Paris, an acceptance pack is sent to you via mail. The pack contains specific information regarding visas and immigration application instructions. These instructions will guide you on how to obtain your special minors visa, called "visa D-mineur scolarisé" (with multiple entries), from your local French Consulate.

If you turn 18 a few weeks after your intended arrival in France, the French Consulate may decide to issue you a long-term student visa instead.

Being issued a "Visa D-Mineur scolarisé" or a long-term student visa –for a minor- is a very serious matter which must be discussed between the student, their parents, the AUP admission councilor, and the French Consular Authorities in charge of visa applications for minors.

Important: the minor student and their parents must make sure the minor is granted the correct visa before coming to France.

WHEN IN FRANCE- VALIDATION OF YOUR VISA TO LEGALIZE YOUR STAY HERE UNDER A STUDENT STATUS

Navigating all of the requirements of French immigration can be tricky. AUP’s Student Immigration Services exist to assist you with the immigration process and help make a potentially confusing process an orderly and painless one.

Necessary paperwork differs by student and according to the type of visa they are issued. Be sure to look up what’s required of you from the moment you receive your acceptance letter and throughout your time at AUP.

Since some processes may take up to a few weeks (if the French Authorities’ Department which is on charge of processing the residency applications, is either understaffed or overworked-sometimes both- the residency renewal procedure can take a few months).

THE PROCEDURE

Since you currently hold a visa "Mineur scolarisé" which needs to be turned into a residency permit from your eighteenth birthday, you must reach SIS one month before you turn 18 to request the list of requirements.

You have two weeks to gather the necessary justifications (photos, birth certificate, proof of housing, etc.) before you turn 18.

SIS will secure an appointment for you to complete the paperwork a couple of weeks before you turn 18- no later.

On the day the appointment with SIS occurs, we will start the application.

Under the condition the application is successfully completed, SIS asks the Prefecture de Police to schedule a meeting and to send you a convocation in order to bring the French Authorities your residency application.

On the day you have your meeting with them, they will process your request to issue you a “Récépissé”.  The “Récépissé” is a temporary residency permit which legalizes your stay here as a student until you are granted a “Titre de Séjour Etudiant”.

The “Récépissé” does not replace a “Titre de Séjour Etudiant” and does not allow you travel out of France/ does not allow you to re-enter France from abroad.

Reminder

1. If you already have turned 18 by the time you enter at the University, you must contact SIS by email immediately upon arrival to start the residency application.
2. If you are not 18 by the time you enter at the University, you must contact SIS 1 month before your eighteenth birthday so we can follow up on your situation and advise accordingly.

REQUIREMENTS

You must contact SIS to request an updated list of documents.

Since a proof of financial aid in France is requested from your parents (= the minors cannot open a bank account in France until they turn 18), you should feel free to request this list from SIS before you enter AUP as it should give you  enough time to gather the necessary justifications.

Under the condition you have a current housing in France/ Paris you can start the application (the university address is not accepted as a valid address by the French Authorities).

A detailed birth certificate which clearly indicates the names of your parents is requested.

IMPORTANT

The minor visa authorizes the minor student to travel and to legally re-enter France from abroad until they turn 18.

Therefore, between their eighteenth birthday and the day they will be granted their residency permit “Titre de Séjour”, the student cannot leave France to travel abroad (EU and NON-EU areas).

The residency procedure can sometimes take a couple of months until the student is granted their residency permit- especially in the Fall where the French Administration is crowded (and sometimes understaffed). No speed up procedure request accepted by the French Authorities.

sisaup.eu (CONTACT SIS)

We’re here to help you every step of the way, but it’s your responsibility to maintain your legal resident status in France. Any student who does not respect the French Immigration policy will not benefit from any assistance from the University, and re-admission to the University will be made on a case-by-case basis.

The Student Immigration Services Office at AUP is available throughout your studies for assistance in working with the local authorities to fulfill your visa validation requirements as well as with the renewal process. The Immigration Office keeps records of residency cards, passports, visas, and birth certificates. Please contact us to make sure your records are updated, or if you have any questions or concerns.