Practical Information to prepare your stay

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Here are some information and advice to best prepare your stay at ENS de Lyon.

International students: prepare your stay

Welcome Days

At the begining of each semester, the ENS International Student Office receives the international students. 

ENS de Lyon offers a full integration week, free of charge, with French language courses, administrative times and cultural activities, at the end of August.

All details about the 2024 Welcome Days

Administrative procedures

Before your departure:

International students: read the practical guide "Prepare your stay"

At your arrival:

You can find a list of the documents required:

Documents required - Exchange students

Documents required - Masters students

For the residence permit, you will have an appointment with the International Office.

Dispositions regarding long-stay visas

Foreigners with a long-stay visa (over 90 days and less than a year). If granted, this visa serves as a residence permit.

More detailed information will be given by the French embassy when applying for a visa.

1- Before your departure: Etudiant visa and Etudiant-Stagiaire visa

  • Long-stay Visa (Visa D) mentioning étudiant
    It must be obtained prior to arrival, in order to pursue studies in France and to be eligible to apply for the residence permit or titre de séjour Étudiant on arrival.
  • Long-stay Visa mentioning étudiant stagiaire (for internships)
    It must be obtained prior to arrival, in order to pursue an internship at the ENS and to be eligible to apply for the residence permit or titre de séjour Étudiant Stagiaire on arrival.
  • Exemptions
    Students of the European Union and the following countries do not need a long-stay visa: Switzerland, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Monaco,The Republic of San Marino, The Vatican City.

Application must be done at the consulates or embassies of France in your home country at least 3 months before departure.

Please note: if you live in a country with this process open, you can apply directly online with France-Visas. More information on Campus France website

Documents required (subject to change - check with the French Embassy):

  • a valid passport
  • proof of residence in France for the duration of your stay (electricity bill, House deed)
  • proof of financial resources of at least about €615 per month
  • proof of enrollment at the ENS for the étudiant visa or the internship agreement for the étudiant stagiaire visa

2- On arrival: Long-stay visa which also serves as a residence permit

Promptly after your arrival in France, and within 3 months of your arrivalyou must validate your  VLS-TS.

This has to be done directly online: 

https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr/

This site also allows you to purchase your electronic tax stamp.

At the end of the process, you'll receive confirmation emails. You'll be able to log on to your account and download the confirmation certificate immediately. 

Please note: This agreement does not apply to students of Algerian nationality. They are required to obtain a residence card.

More information: Ministery of Foreign and European Affairs

  • Accommodation at ENS de Lyon
    Once you are accepted, you will receive an email with the access to an online application form for accommodation (student residences on campus or CROUS residences).
    If your request is accepted, you will receive a reply by early July at the latest.
    You will need to provide:
    • a home insurance (that covers fire and water damage) including a civil liability insurance,
    • a security deposit equivalent to at least one month’s rent,
    • and you will sign a tenancy agreement. 
      More information: Accommodation
  • Off-campus accommodation
    If your request isn't accepted, you will have to search an accommodation on your own. ENS de Lyon has different partnerships to help you.
    More information: Off-campus accommodation
    You will need to provide:
    • a home insurance (that covers fire and water damage) including a civil liability insurance,
    • a security deposit equivalent to at least one month’s rent,
    • a guarantor - a French resident - who can pay your rent if necessary: a specific system exists for international students, the Visale Guarantee..

You will sign a tenancy agreement drawn up by the landlord. It must states the duration of the lease, the rental price and the terms of payment. Pay close attention to the rent specified in the agreement: this may or may not include rental charges. You will also sign an inventory of fixtures at check-in and check-out.

The security deposit will be returned to you if there are no damages to your housing unit and if you have paid your rent and charges when you leave.

  • Housing allowance

More information

In France, international students are covered by the French social security system, often referred to as “la sécu”.
Social security includes health insurance, which reimburses part of your medical expenses. You are responsible for paying the rest, unless you have taken out a complementary health insurance, known in French as a “mutuelle”.

  • Health Insurance 

You are an EU student
You don't need to register for French national social security. You must present your European health insurance card (EHIC) or be covered by an insurance policy indicating the duration of your stay in France and translated into French or English.

You are a non-EU student and study in France
For more than 3 months: you need to register for French social security. This is a compulsory and free procedure, to be completed once your School registration is finalized.
Registration on: https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr/#/ 
In order to register for social security (CPAM), you will be given information by the International Student Office to prepare your application.

For less than 3 months: you must be covered by your home country’s health insurance or by a private insurance with the detailed guarantees translated into French or English.

You are a Quebec student
You're coming to France on a university exchange
If you are enrolled in a Quebec university (and not in a French university), you may be covered by the provisions of the Franco-Quebec memorandum of understanding, which allows you to benefit from on-site coverage of your healthcare expenses.

Before you leave, ask your health insurance fund (RAMQ) for form SE 401-Q-106 “Attestation d'affiliation à leur régime de sécurité sociale des participants aux échanges entre établissements d'enseignement supérieur”, and have it completed by your university in Quebec.

This form certifies that you are insured under the Quebec social security system.

To receive reimbursement of your healthcare costs, you must contact the CPAM in your place of residence and submit your form.

You are registered at a French university
As a Quebec student, insured under the Quebec social security system, you are enrolled in a French university.

Before your departure, ask your health insurance fund (RAMQ) for form SE 401-Q-102 bis “Attestation d'appartenance à un régime québécois préalablement au départ pour la France”.

This form certifies that you are covered by RAMQ health insurance in France.

To receive reimbursement of your healthcare costs, you must contact the CPAM in your place of residence and submit your form.

  • Complementary insurance
    For better coverage of your medical expenses, you can take out a complementary insurance.
    You can choose between different student insurances such as:

You must have a bank account in France to receive reimbursements for your medical care from the French Social Security (CPAM) or your housing benefit (APL) from the French Family Allocations Fund (CAF ).

Documents required:

  • identity card (for EU nationals) or passport with valid visa (for non-EU nationals),
  • proof of address (CROUS certificate, rent receipt, gas or electricity bill, home insurance certificate, etc.),
  • school certificate, student card or letter of admission to ENS de Lyon.
     

On the ENS de Lyon campuses, you can have lunch in the campus restaurants. Your student card allows you to activate your Izly account which serves to pay for meals.

How to activate your Izly account

You can also enjoy the distribution of vegetables and other local products baskets directly on campus via the AMAP.

AMAP - More information

  • Discover Lyon
  • Public transport
    In Lyon, public transportation is managed by TCL.

    Public transport card
    Go to the TCL website to choose the best fare that suits you online: https://www.tcl.fr/tickets-abonnements/titres-et-tarifs
    or
    Go to a TCL Agency (Hôtel de Ville, Bellecour, Gorge de Loup, Perrache, Part-Dieu…) with:
    • 5 €,
    • your ID card or passport,
    • your bank account details,
    • a passport photo.
  • Rent a bike

You can also rent a bike in all Vélo'v stations in Lyon.

Vélo'v is a bicycle sharing system run by the city of Lyon. You can borrow bicycles anywhere, anytime at one of the 350 stations spread across Lyon and Villeurbanne. Annual subscriptions start from 31€ (adults) or 16.50€ (for under 25year-olds). For every journey, they start to charge you from the 31st minute on (the first 30 minutes are free).

More information: https://velov.grandlyon.com/en/home

 

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