The University of Lille warmly welcomes international students and strives to make their stay as smooth as possible. Our team is at your service to answer all your questions and assist you with your procedures.
Before my arrival
If you are an international student and wish to apply for a degree at the University of Lille. Here is the step by step.
The application process at the University of Lille varies depending on your study level, country of residence, or nationality.
The University of Lille is multidisciplinary, offering 13 fields of study that cover a wide range of disciplines. We recommend that you carefully consult our course catalog (in French) before starting the application process.
The University of Lille provides an application support tool to assist you throughout the process, which will guide you to the appropriate application process based on your profile.
If you live in “Etudes en France” country, Campus France offices are available to assist you with your application process.
Unless exempted, you are required to provide proof of French proficiency (minimum B2 level).
For more information, see the section “Come to the University of Lille” on our website.
Are you joining the University of Lille as a student, PhD candidate, researcher, or intern?
With the Online Welcome Desk tool, explore your institution and get a personalized roadmap outlining all the steps you need to take before your arrival and during your first days in France.
Finding accommodation can be challenging, but several options are available to you.
Due to the high number of applications for this type of accommodation and the limited availability of Crous housing, the chances of securing a room remain very low. We recommend checking the Crous website daily from the opening date for international students, as it is regularly updated with available housing. Additionally, we strongly encourage you to explore alternative housing options beyond Crous.
For more information on the Crous housing application process, please contact: service.internationalarobasecrous-lillepointfr.
La Maison Internationale has created a Housing Guide available (PDF, 1115 Ko), where you can find other accommodation options in the Lille metropolitan area.
Finally, over the past few years, the University of Lille has partnered with Studapart and LivinFrance to make your housing search easier.
Citizens of the European Union (EU) countries and the European Economic Area (EEA) do not need a visa to enter France.
Students not from EU and EEA countries must obtain a long-stay visa (for any stay exceeding 90 days). In this case, they must apply for a VLS-TS student visa (Long-Stay Visa Valid as a Residence Permit) at the competent consular authority in their country of residence.
You can find the different steps to correctly submit your visa application on the official French visa website.
Once in France, depending on the type of visa you hold, certain administrative procedures may be required.
A short-stay Schengen visa (Visa C - Tourism) cannot, under any circumstances, be converted into a residence permit while in France.
Depending on the purpose of your stay, a different type of visa may be required (e.g., internship visa, au pair visa, visa concours, etc.).
My stay, step by step
Validation of the Long-Stay Visa Valid as a Residence Permit (VLS-TS)
Welcome to France!
If you have arrived with a Long-Stay Visa Valid as a Residence Permit (VLS-TS) for more than three months, you must validate it online within three months of your arrival to ensure the legality of your stay.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Go to the dedicated platform for residence permit applications.
- Click on "I validate my VLS-TS"
- Follow the instructions provided to complete the procedure.
Don't wait! Completing this step promptly will prevent any administrative issues.
First Residence Permit Application
Visa "D" for less than 3 months with the mention "student" or "student mobility program"
Apply for your first residence permit on the dedicated platform for residence permit applications (ANEF), under the section "I apply for or renew a residence permit." A list of required documents can be found in the "Useful Documents" page. The Maison Internationale team will assist throughout this process.
📌 List of supporting documents
You will find all the necessary documents for this procedure in the "Useful Documents" page.
Visa "D" with the mention "Mineur Scolarisé"
If you have been granted a visa with the mention "Mineur Scolarisé," you must plan ahead to apply for your residence permit before reaching adulthood (at least two months before your visa expires or before you turn 18).
📌 Useful Information:
- Contact the Maison Internationale by emailing titredesejour@univ-lille.fr to notify us of your situation.
- The process is done by postal mail at the Prefecture Du Nord.
Residence permit Renewal
Between four and two months before the expiration of your Long-Stay Visa serving as a Residence Permit (VLS-TS) or your current residence permit, you must submit a renewal application.
Most applications are processed online via the official residence permit platform. However, certain exceptions may apply, particularly for holders of family-based or work-related residence permits, or in cases involving a change of status.
📌 Required Documents
You can find the full list of supporting documents in the “Useful Documents” section.
📩 Need Assistance?
If you have any questions or are unsure about your situation, we strongly recommend contacting the Residence Permit Office before beginning your application.
📧 Email: titredesejour@univ-lille.fr
Residence Permit for Job Search or Business Creation
This residence permit allows you to stay in France for one year after your studies to:
- Gain initial professional experience
- Start a business in a field related to your studies
Non-renewable card: You must plan your status change before its expiration.
Who is eligible?
- Foreign students or PhD candidates holding a "student" residence permit or "talent"
- Graduates of a professional bachelor's, master's, or an equivalent master's degree awarded in France
This process is carried out by postal mail at the Prefecture of Nord. You can be assisted with this process by the team at the Maison Internationale.
Every student residing in France on a stable and legal basis is entitled to healthcare coverage.
To ensure your medical expenses are covered from the moment you arrive in France, you must register on the Ameli website.
For any question regarding reimbursement of medical expenses, you can visit the health insurance website under the "Reimbursements" section.
Important:
- To ensure smooth processing of your application and avoid any delays in obtaining your social security number, we recommend submitting all your supporting documents at once rather than in multiple submissions. You can visit the Maison Internationale to check that your application is complete.
- Even if you only have a temporary social security number, you can still see a healthcare professional.
Opening a bank account
Every student has the right to open a bank account in France. You will find all the necessary information regarding this procedure on the Campus France website.
Getting Around on a Daily Basis
The Lille metropolitan area has a public transportation network managed by Ilévia. To use it, simply get a Pass Pass card, which you can recharge with a subscription or tickets. This card allows you to load any Ilévia transport ticket and travel freely across the Lille metropolitan area, as well as in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais departments. You can obtain your Pass Pass card online, at a ticket machine, or at a dedicated Ilevia sales point.
Places to eat
Restaurants, cafeterias, food trucks… there are plenty of options to eat on our campuses! Find the nearest spot to eat directly on the University of Lille website.