Necessary Documents

Passport
Short Stay Visa ( download visa instructions )

A student visa is now mandatory for any foreigner wishing to study in France for any length of time. Each Regents’ program student is responsible for obtaining his or her own visa and for any costs related to obtaining a visa.

Please note that the visa is processed in the students’ country of residence prior to departure. A student visa cannot be acquired in France, nor can a student visa be sent to France. The visa is affixed in the students’ passport by the French Consulate before departure from the U.S., and must be presented to border officials upon entry to France.

There are two kinds of student visas for France, the short stay visa and the long stay visa. As you will be in France for less than 90 days, you should apply for the short stay visa.

Please note: UIowa’s study abroad office, your home school office ( if not UIowa), and the resident directors cannot help you obtain a student visa beyond giving you the following instructions and providing you with the required letters.

Download visa instructions