CAN I TRAVEL WITH MY RECEIPT FOR A RESIDENCE PERMIT?

WHAT IS OFII?

Created in 2009, the OFII is now the State's sole operator in charge of legal immigration in France.

Once they arrive in France, a lot of international students have to validate their VISA. It’s now an online procedure!

As soon as you arrive in France, it is mandatory to validate your visa 3 months after your arrival in France at the latest. The procedure is entirely online!

Here is the site to which you must connect.

HOW TO VALIDATE MY STUDENT VISA?

What do you need to validate your visa?

A valid email address
Information on your visa
Your date of arrival in France
Your address of residence in France
A payment card to pay the tourist tax online
Your student visa code is ⚠ CESEDA R311-3-6 ⚠

If you do not have a payment card while following the online process, you can buy an electronic stamp at a tobacco shop (“Tabac”) on a dedicated terminal and pay it in cash. In that case, please be careful about the amount of the stamp.

How do I pay for the stamp ?

Option 1: you can buy an electronic stamp online. The option is offered to you on the screen.

Option 2: you enter the number of the electronic stamp that you previously purchased in a tobacco shop (“Tabac”).

When you are required by immigration to pay VISA fees (stamp), we advise you on the online process.

You can buy it from this website:

Click on "Buy a virtual excise stamp"
Select "Titre pour étrangers"
Put the amount required from your VISA
Fill in your email address
Fill in your card information
Confirm your payment

They will give you a code to finalize your immigration procedure, just copy and paste it!

Online validation steps

Log on to this website which is available in English, French and Chinese
Fill in your visa information: number, start and end validity dates, date of issuance, reason for your stay
Enter additional information: family situation, telephone number, e-mail address
Indicate your date of arrival in France and your address in France.
Pay the tourist tax of 50€ (price in 2021)

Download the validation confirmation of your visa. You can also download it later by logging into your personal space or by means of the confirmation email that will be sent to you.

Your visa is validated ! 🏆

CAN I TRAVEL WITH MY RECEIPT FOR A RESIDENCE PERMIT?

The question that comes up most often when talking about the "attestation de décision favorable" is: can you travel with this document?

Yes, and no ! Indeed, travel is possible with a residence permit renewal receipt, but it must be valid and accompanied by the permit to be renewed, as well as your valid passport.

However, the receipt for the first application or the "confirmation de dépot" does not allow you to return to France without a visa!

If the validity date of the receipt has expired, you need a new visa issued by the French consulate or embassy in your country of origin.

Source: Livin France

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