International

Customs and procedures of immigrations

Scenario 1: Joining the French social security scheme

Telecom SudParis must affiliate all students registered at the start of each academic year.

This means that the student joins the local university scheme (LMDE or SMEREP) which is responsible for providing Social Security benefits (reimbursement of medical costs and prescriptions, for example).

This applies to students:

• Of French nationality (either by birth or naturalisation) on presentation of an official document.
• Of foreign nationality subject to their stay in France being legal (students from non-EU states or from the European Economic Area member states).

Please be aware: Students who come to France on an international exchange lasting over three months must pay social security contributions even if they are already a member of a foreign public social security scheme or have a private French or foreign insurance policy.

European students have the same rights as French students.

Contributions amount to approximately €190 for the academic year and may be revised every year (2006 rate given above).

Scenario 2: Students who are excluded or receive dispensation from the student social security scheme

The following are excluded from the student social security scheme:

• People over the age of 28 on 1st October of the academic year.
• People who are working and have a regular and adequate income, while also studying, and whose fixed-term or permanent contract covers the academic year (1st October to 30th September). The minimum number of hours worked must be 120 per quarter.
• People eligible to receive social security benefits due to their spouse, parents, partner (PACS law).
• Holders of European social security cover: the European Social Security card must be presented.
• Students from Quebec taking part in a university exchange: present form SE 401 Q 106.
• French students taking part in a university exchange: present form SE 401 Q 106 filled in by Telecom SudParis before departure and validated by the French Social Security Centre.

Scenario 3: Visitors to France (PhDs, "guest" academics)

People with visas stating that they are “visitors” or “researchers” are not covered by the French social security scheme.  They must take out a voluntary personal insurance policy as soon as they arrive in France if they do not hold an international insurance policy.