Visa for "stagiaire" with a "convention de stage"
Table des matières
1 - INFORMATION 
Read General information before applying.
The applicant must apply for the visa and obtain it in his/her country of residence before arriving in France.
You have to apply with the French Consulate in Washington DC, only if you reside in one of the following states :
Deleware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia.
If you do not reside in one of those states, you have to apply with another French Consulate, depending on where you live in the United states. To know where to apply, click here.
A delay of procedure may be required.
If you apply in person, you have to come with the original documents plus one copy. This visa section does not make any copies.
US citizen holders of a regular US passport do not need a visa for a short stay (90 days or less) for an internship in France. If this case is applicable, you have to travel with your passport, your internship contract ("convention de stage") stamped by the french local labour department ("DDTEFP") and a proof of your lodging for the stay.
Us citizen, holder of a regular US passport do need a visa for long stay as an internship, exceeding 90 days. (resident card to apply for upon arrival in France, after the issuance of the visa) The long stay should be justified by the lenght of the internship itself (internship of more than 90 days, usually minimum of 4 to 5 months in this case usually)
All other nationals need to apply for any length of stay, short or long.
2- REQUIREMENTS
| You have to apply with all the required documents in original and one copy. The visa section does not make any copies. Note that the personal appearance is the basic rule, however you may send your application by certified mail. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks processing time for all visa applications submitted by mail. |
Passport valid for a period of 3 months after the last day of stay (+ 1 copy of the identification page).
proof of your address in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia (BOTH documents requested) :
- copy of your driver’s license or state ID
AND
- original and copy of a utility bill no old than 3 months OR lease agreement OR deed of house/appartment (For bills, are accepted ONLY : water, electricity, resident phone, cable or rent slip. Other bills, for example cellphone, or insurance bills will be declined), showing the name and proving the address of the applicant and should match the driver’s licence/state ID. Any other situation is subject to review by the immigration officer of the visa section and may not make you illegible for a visa application until met.
2 long stay application forms if your internship is for 90 days or more or 2 short stay applications forms if your internship is for less than 90 days, completely and legibly filled out. Please print in black. Indicate your phone numbers and e-mail.
Translation in English of the long stay visa application form.
2 photographs (more informations about the photograph) . All photos must be recent, identical, passport size - 1,4" x 1,7" (3,5cm x 4,5cm) and showing face front the forehead hairline and ears on a white background, the face must take up 70-80% of the photograph.
For non American citizen : a proof of resident status in the US (green card, valid US visa along with a copy of valid I-20 or valid I-AP66, visas).
The « convention de stage » (original + one copy) signed by your employer in France, your school or university or by the cultural office of the French embassy, and you.
A letter from the DDTEFP (Direction Départementale du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle) stating that the French Labor Department is aware that you are going to work in France as a « stagiaire ».
Financial guarantee such as a notarized statement certifying that the applicant will be provided with a monthly allowance of $ 600.00 for the duration of his/her stay in France, or a proof of personal income (your three last bank statements).
Processing fees, depending on the length of the stay: payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) (especially for files sent by mail) or money-order made out to "Consulate general of France" or certified checks. Cash is accepted only if you apply in person. No personal checks.
IMPORTANT : You can apply by security mail under your own responsibility. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks processing time for all visa applications submitted by mail. If you do so, you have to send us the original passport, along with all the above mentionned (original + copy) documents. You also have to send a self-addressed pre-paid envelope (Express mail…), in order to get your passport back.
