1. What is the FRANCE CONTACT website ?
It's an Internet website animated by the Kastler Foundation and the Agency for Diffusion of Technological Information dedicated to the foreign researchers who are in contact with France.
2. Who is the FRANCE CONTACT website designed for ?
The site is designed for researchers and teacher researchers (post-doctorates, guest teachers, associates, or having a sabbatic year), whatever their nationality or field of research, who will be coming to France for a research stay, or are in France at the present or have already been staying there.
3. What is the Guest Researcher Card ?
It's a free card for all foreign researchers in France. It gives access to free or competitive especially negociated services : administrative assistance for all installation and stay formalities, health insurance, civil liability, lodging (preferential tariffs), bank account opening by Kastler Foundation even before arrival in France, start credit for CNRS library fund consultation (publications, books, etc.), etc.
Guest Researcher Card presentation
4. How can I get the Guest Researcher Card ?
It's available on e-mail request to the Kastler Foundation.
5. What formalities are to be accomplished before going to France ?
Beside your research project and the financing, you may have to ask a visa to the Consulate of France. Also, except for European and Algerian nationals, you will need a protocol of reception which you will have to ask your scientific correspondent in France. For further details contact your Consulate of France and ask the Kastler Foundation for assistance. A quantity of useful information is already available on France Contact.
6. What is the protocol of reception ?
It's the document the foreign researchers who are coming to France have to get from their host centre in France. The protocol of reception enables to quickly and easily get a visa and to benefit from the "scientific" grade on your residence card in France. The researcher's family also benefits from this procedure and the spouse is even allowed to work in France.
7. What is a Correspondent Researcher ?
It's the person designated in the research centres as well as in the prefectures in France to deliver the residence card to foreign researchers.
8. What visa is to be asked for France ?
There are three types of visas : short stay (less than 3 months) - some nationals are exempted - long stay (more than 3 months) and temporary stay (more than 3 months and with a maximum of 6 months, not renewable and exempted from residence card). The EEC nationals and those benefiting from the EEC agreements are exempted from visa.
9. How can I get a visa for France ?
You will have to present a number of documents which list is available at the Consulate of France. As an indication, you will certainly be asked, for each person : a valid passport with a copy, the protocol of reception, a number of id photographs, to settle the corresponding fees, to fill in the forms given by the Consulate.
10. What documents do I have to bring to France ?
Passeport,
ID (for the Europeans),
Protocol of reception,
Birth certificate,
Marriage certificate,
Family record book.
11. Is there a medical examination for a stay in France ?
Yes, for the stays over 6 months : it is to be done in France along with the residence card request.