An Indian student coming to France for an internship must apply for a Long-stay visa for internship (Visa de long séjour – Stagiaire) or, in specific cases, a Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C).
📌 The applicable visa depends on duration and legal framework:
Internship ≤ 90 days
→ Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C – Internship)Internship > 90 days (and up to 6 months)
→ Long-stay visa “Stagiaire” (VLS)
⚠️ Tourist visas are not permitted for internships, even unpaid ones.
📋 2. Mandatory internship agreement (Convention de stage)
📌 A signed internship agreement is compulsory in all cases.
The agreement must:
Follow the French legal template
Be signed by:
the French host organisation (company, university, research institute, NGO),
the home university in India,
the student
Specify:
internship duration and dates,
tasks and supervision,
working hours,
remuneration (if any),
insurance coverage.
Without a valid convention de stage, the visa application will be refused.
training agreement (pdf - in French only) concluded between yourself, the training establishment and the host company in France. If the duration of the work placement exceeds 90 days, the agreement must first be validated by the French authorities following a request from your host company or training establishment. (https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/student-trainee)
🎯 3. Where to apply
The visa application is submitted through Campus France and the French consular network:
Campus France India procedure (mandatory):
Online registration
Academic file review
Interview (depending on profile)
Visa submission at the French Consulate / VFS centre after Campus France validation.
🧾 4. Documents required (indicative list)
The following documents are typically required:
Valid Indian passport
Visa application form
Internship agreement (Convention de stage) duly signed
Campus France authorisation / NOC
Letter of acceptance from the French host institution
Proof of academic status (student certificate)
CV
Proof of financial resources
(minimum subsistence level as defined by French authorities)Accommodation proof in France
Health insurance covering the entire stay
Proof of return intention (for short stays)
🏛 5. Remuneration and social protection
If the internship exceeds 2 months, French law generally requires a minimum gratification (allowance).
The host organisation must declare the intern and ensure social protection in accordance with French regulations.
Paid internships do not constitute salaried employment.
🛐6. Residence formalities after arrival
Online validation with French authorities is required after arrival.
No residence permit is required for internships ≤ 6 months if the correct visa is issued.
⚠️7. Restrictions
The intern may only perform activities defined in the internship agreement.
Any paid work outside the internship is prohibited.
Extension or change of status in France is generally not permitted.
📍 8. Practical recommendations
Begin procedures at least 2–3 months in advance
Ensure coherence between:
internship agreement,
Campus France file,
visa application
Confirm insurance coverage meets French legal standards