The Ultimate Checklist: What to Do Before and After Arriving in France

Moving to France as an international student involves dozens of tasks spread across months — and it's shockingly easy to miss a critical step until it's too late. We built this checklist from our own experience (and our mistakes) so that you can arrive organized and avoid the chaos that hits most students in their first weeks.

Bookmark this page. Print it out. Tape it to your wall. This is the list we wish we'd had before we moved to France.

Part 1: Before You Leave (3-6 Months Out)

Visa and Documents

• Apply for your student visa (visa long séjour)— Start this as early as possible. Processing times vary wildly by country, and some consulates require an appointment weeks in advance. You'll need your university acceptance letter, proof of financial resources, passport photos, and more.
• Register on Campus France — If your country requires the Campus France process (most non-EU countries do), complete this before your visa appointment. It involves an online form, document uploads, and sometimes an interview.
• Gather and photocopy every document you can think of — Passport, birth certificate (ideally with apostille or certified translation), university acceptance letter, proof of accommodation, proof of financial resources, insurance certificates. Make at least five copies of each and keep digital scans in cloud storage.
• Get your documents translated — Any documents not in French may need a sworn translation (traduction assermentée). This is especially true for your birth certificate and academic transcripts. Find a certified translator before you leave — it's cheaper in your home country.

Housing

• Start your housing search immediately — Paris and other major French cities have incredibly competitive student housing markets. Apply for CROUS university housing, look into private student residences, and check platforms like Studapart, LeBonCoin, and PAP.
• Apply for Visale— This free government guarantor service is essential if you don't have a French guarantor. Apply online at visale.fr before you arrive — the process takes a few days.
• Arrange temporary accommodation — Even if you have a lease starting day one, things can go wrong. Book a hostel, Airbnb, or student residence for your first 1-2 weeks as a safety net.

Money and Insurance

• Notify your home bank and get an international card— Make sure your debit/credit card works in France and notify your bank of your travel dates so they don't freeze your account.
• Consider opening a Revolut or N26 account — These digital banks work across Europe with no foreign transaction fees. They can serve as a bridge while you set up a French bank account.
• Purchase travel/health insurance for your first month— While you'll be enrolled in French social security, it takes time to activate. Carry private insurance to cover your first weeks.

Practical Preparation

• Start learning French — Even basic French makes a massive difference. Use Duolingo, Babbel, or free Alliance Française resources. Focus on practical phrases: greetings, directions, ordering food, and asking for help.
• Research your phone plan— French carriers like Free Mobile, SFR, and Orange offer affordable plans (Free's €2/month plan is legendary). You can often sign up online and pick up a SIM at the airport.
• Download essential apps— Google Maps, Citymapper (for Paris), Île-de-France Mobilités, DeepL Translate, WhatsApp (everyone in France uses it), and your university's app.

Part 2: Your First Week in France

Day 1-2: Settle In

• Get a French SIM card— Head to a Free Mobile booth (available at many metro stations) or an SFR/Orange store. You'll need your passport and a French address (even your temporary one works).
• Buy a Navigo Easy or Navigo pass— For public transport in Paris, get a Navigo pass from any metro station. If you're under 26, you qualify for the discounted Imagine R pass — but it takes time to process, so get a regular Navigo first.
• Stock up on essentials — Hit a supermarket (Monoprix, Carrefour, or Franprix are everywhere) for basics. For bedding and kitchen supplies on a budget, try Action, Hema, or IKEA.

Day 3-5: Admin Sprint

• Open a French bank account — Visit a bank branch (BNP Paribas, Société Générale, and Crédit Lyonnais have student offerings) or use an online bank (Boursorama, Fortuneo). Bring your passport, visa, proof of address, and enrollment certificate.
• Complete your university enrollment— This usually involves an in-person visit with your original documents. Get your student ID card — it's your key to discounts on everything.
• Validate your visa (if required)— Some long-stay visas must be validated within 3 months of arrival through the ANEF online platform. Don't put this off — it's mandatory and has a deadline.

Part 3: Your First Month

Housing and Financial Setup

• Apply for CAF (housing aid)— Go to caf.fr, create an account, and submit your application. You'll need your lease, your RIB (French bank details), your visa, and your passport. The subsidy is backdated to your move-in date, so apply as soon as possible.
• Set up your home insurance — French law requires renters to have home insurance (assurance habitation). It costs €5-15 per month. Your landlord will ask for proof. Options include LMDE, MAIF, or online providers like Luko.
• Get your electricity/internet sorted— If your apartment doesn't include utilities, set up an EDF (electricity) account and choose an internet provider (Free, Orange, SFR, or Bouygues). Student residences usually include both.

Healthcare

• Register for French social security (sécurité sociale) — International students are automatically enrolled through their university, but you may need to complete registration at ameli.fr. This gives you your carte vitale (health insurance card).
• Choose a mutuelle— This supplementary health insurance covers what sécurité sociale doesn't (the remaining 30%). Many are free for students — check LMDE or HEYME.
• Find a médecin traitant— A general practitioner who serves as your primary doctor. Use Doctolib (France's main medical booking platform) to find English-speaking doctors near you.

Social and Academic Life

• Join student associations — This is the fastest way to build a social life. Most French universities have dozens of clubs and associations. International student groups (like ESN or Erasmus clubs) are especially welcoming.
• Attend orientation events— Even if they seem boring. They're where you'll meet other new students who are just as lost as you are.
• Explore your neighborhood — Find your local boulangerie, your favorite café, and the nearest supermarket. These small routines are what make a new city feel like home.
• Sign up for French classes — Even if your program is in English, improving your French will transform your experience. Many universities offer free or discounted French courses for international students.

The Ongoing List

Some things don't fit neatly into a timeline but are worth keeping in mind throughout your first semester studying in France:

• Keep all your receipts and documents— France loves paper trails. You'll need them for CAF renewals, visa renewals, and tax declarations.
• Check your CAF payments— It can take 2-3 months to start receiving payments. Follow up if you haven't heard back.
• Renew your visa before it expires— If you're staying longer than a year, start the renewal process (at the préfecture or online) at least 3 months before expiration.
• File your French tax return— Yes, even as a student with little income. It's required and actually quite simple.

You've Got This

Moving to France as an international student is a logistical marathon. But with a clear checklist and the right resources, it's entirely manageable. The French system is complex, but it's also incredibly generous once you're in it — housing subsidies, world-class healthcare, affordable transport, and some of the best education in Europe.

Take it one step at a time. Check things off the list. And remember: every student who came before you survived this exact same process. You will too.

This checklist is based on the Arrivée guide, written by four Sciences Po students — two international and two French — who've navigated every step of life in France. For the full version with links, screenshots, and templates, get the complete guide here.