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Visa and Health Insurance

Essential steps

Planning the administrative procedures before coming to study in France is crucial for a smooth and stress-free integration. Procedures related to entry rights, such as obtaining a student visa, require special attention.

Anticipating your visa application

Regardless of your country of residence, if you are from a non-Schengen country, you must obtain a visa to study in France.

For students from the European Union: No visa is required; a passport or ID card is sufficient.
For students from outside the European Union: For study periods longer than 3 months, a visa is required for students from the following countries: Algeria, Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Guinea, India, Ivory Coast, Japan, South Korea, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Russia, Senegal, Syria, Taiwan, Tunisia, Turkey, USA, Vietnam.

The procedure goes through Campus France (with a fee). If your application is validated (remember to select Clermont School of Business as your study destination), the visa application can be made at your French consulate.

Students not from the above countries apply directly through their respective French consulate and do not go through Campus France.

Good to Know: Processing times for applications can vary depending on the country and the period of the request. It is advisable to start your procedures as soon as you receive your admission to Clermont School of Business.

Did you know?

Are you a student from a non-European country? You will need to apply for your visa directly at the French consulate in your country.

To apply for your “student” visa, you will need to prove that you have sufficient funds to cover at least one year of study in France (€615 per month for 12 months, a minimum of €7380*). The most common way to prove your financial resources is through an Attestation de Virement Irrévocable (Blocked Account Bank Statement), which will be attached to your visa application. This document is issued by a bank or other financial institution based on a security deposit in a blocked account.

Note: Students from the African continent can consult the banking statement service offered by our partner Studely, a French company present throughout the African continent. Studely can issue you an Attestation de Virement Irrévocable and help you access French real estate offers to find accommodation in Clermont-Ferrand.

*This amount does not include tuition fees.

Registering for Health Insurance

Upon your arrival in France and after enrolling at Clermont School of Business, you must register with the general social security system. This procedure is mandatory and free.

Students from the European Union must obtain a health certificate before entering the country.
Students from outside the European Union and under 28 years old (birth certificate required) must register with social security upon arrival at the School, costing €215. Payment can be made on our premises. This payment is not for the School, and social security covers 65-70% of your medical expenses, which you must pay upfront. Subscribing to supplementary health insurance (mutual) is recommended.
Students from outside the European Union and over 28 years old (birth certificate required) must take out insurance in their home country that will cover their medical or repatriation expenses.
If you are a French national but come from a partner university, you must also register with social security before your arrival.

Opting for Supplementary Health Insurance (Mutuelle)

By registering with social security, you can subscribe to supplementary health insurance, which covers health expenses not reimbursed by the state (30-35%). This subscription can be done upon your arrival at the School.

Good to Know: Social security registration is valid for one year, from October 1st to September 30th of the following year, regardless of the registration date. This means you usually need to take out special insurance to be covered in September. Similarly, for Master of Science students starting in January, you will need to renew your social security registration the following September.

Furthermore, travel insurance is highly recommended to cover the loss or theft of luggage and personal belongings.