Can I do an internship in France on a tourist visa?

Can I do an internship in France on a tourist visa? - Eiffel Tower Behind Buildings

I have been selected for a 2 month internship in a French laboratory. They will not pay me any money as stipend but rather they will reimburse my staying expenses. Can I apply for a tourist visa in this case instead of a student visa?



Best Answer

You need a visa to complete an internship in France. The visa you need depends on the duration of the internship. In your case, you need a short term visa since your internship lasts less that 90 days:

Short-stay visa

This type of visa is generally issued for tourism, business trips or family visits.

It is also issued to persons entering to France to take part in short training programmes, internships, conferences and corporate meetings, or to engage in remunerated activities (whatever the form), not exceeding 90 days.

In addition you need to be enrolled in education and must draft a written agreement with the host company or institution:

The conditions

Your project must be part of a training course organised in your country of residence (school curriculum, university degree or qualification) or an EU cooperation programme or an intergovernmental scheme in the fields of education, training, youth or culture.

[...]

Your supporting documentation

In addition to the supporting documentation related to your personal situation as indicated in the visa wizard, you must include the training agreement (pdf - in French only) concluded between yourself, the training establishment and the host company in France.

Finally, note that if the internship lasts longer than two months you are legally entitled to a compensation:

Tout stage d'une durée supérieure à 2 mois consécutifs ou, au cours d'une même année scolaire ou universitaire à 2 mois consécutifs ou non, donne lieu au versement d'une gratification. Le stagiaire en entreprise perçoit obligatoirement cette "indemnisation" à partir de la 309ème heure incluse.




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Can you do an internship on a tourist visa?

Tourist Visa/Visa WaiverSome countries will allow students to do internships of less than 90 days on a tourist visa or a visa waiver (i.e. you receive the visa/landing permit upon entry without applying in advance). Usually you cannot be paid in this case.

Which visa is required for internship in France?

The long-stay internship visa, or internship VLS-TS, allows you to do an internship in France for more than four months. When it expires, you can request a temporary internship residency permit.

Do you need a work permit for an internship in France?

If the duration of your work placement does not exceed 90 days, you will be issued a short-stay visa; If the duration of your work placement exceeds 90 days, you will be issued a long-stay visa, equivalent to a residence permit, which you will have to have validated following your arrival in France.

Can I study in France on a tourist visa?

Instead, all you will need in order to legally study in France is a valid passport or other valid travel ID. If you are a national from anywhere else in the world, you will need to obtain a student visa for France in order to be able to undertake study.



Indian students in France | Internship Experience




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