First things first!

Upon your arrival in France, you need to ensure that you possess a good means of communication, i.e. a mobile phone that works, has all the important contacts and emergency numbers, a bank card which enables you to withdraw money from French ATM’s, and cash (you should carry enough cash so you can pay for the transit from the airport to your accommodation).

Once you are settled, it is advisable that you find out about the reception services and orientation events that may be planned. These events usually help you make friends and get to know the university campus and the nearby area. Some of these events include welcome day, integration week etc.

It is important that you carry all the important documents for the administrarive procedures that you will have to go through in France. The following list walks you through the required documents:

• Passport with a Valid Visa

Your Passport should be less than 10 years old and be valid for at least three months later than the validity of the requested visa. It must have at least two blank pages.

• Travel Insurance

Your travel Insurance must cover medical expenses, financial default of travel service providers and other losses that might be incurred while traveling, whether within one’s own country or internationally. French consular authorities require the insurance policy to cover your travel and have a repatriation clause.

• Original birth certificate (Apostile)*

*Apostille is a legal verification to prove the authenticity of a document and is issued by the Ministry of External Affairs at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Guwahati.

Get your birth certificate verified at the municipal office, as it should first be authenticated by the designated authorities of the State/Union Territory from where the document has been issued. If you do not have a birth certificate, contact the assigned municipal office. No other document such as an affidavit or any other notarized document is valid. Try to get two originals if possible (leave one behind at home, in case of loss).

The original document is to be submitted directly to the five outsourced agencies of the MEA (www.mea.gov.in/apostille.htm) along with a photocopy of the document and a photocopy of the applicant’s passport. The MEA does not legalise photocopies.

You should have: 

• Birth Certificate translated in French (contact the Alliance Française network in India for obtaining an authorized official translation)

• Proof of medical insurance (only for the first week of your stay)

• Proof of previous studies

• Latest academic degrees and diplomas and corresponding transcripts and language tests (English or French, depending upon the language of your chosen study program)

• Proof of Accommodation

• Proof of Financial resources (615 Euros per month)

• 3 Passport size photos

*It is advised that you scan and send the photocopies of important documents to your mailbox.

Now that you have all things ready, you should start packing. Here is a list of MUST HAVES for you!

1. One/two adapters for electrical devices, as voltage in France is 220V.

2. A good pair of shoes - get ready to walk much more than you do in India.

3. Prescription and prescribed drugs- if you are undergoing a specific medical treatment, take enough prescribed drugs and carry a note from the doctor.

4. Appropriate clothing- the climate varies between North and South. We recommend looking at www.meteofrance.com