📅 Last Updated August 2026
👨💻 Reviewed By LearnViaHub Editorial Team
⏱️ Reading Time Approximately 10–12 minutes
🌍 Applies To Non-EU/EEA/Swiss international students and recent graduates planning an internship (stage) in France.
🔄 Update Frequency Reviewed annually and whenever French visa or labour rules change.
📚 Sources Reviewed France-Visas, Service-Public.fr, and current 2026 gratification-de-stage rates.
Quick Answer
Do I need a visa to intern in France? If you’re an EU/EEA/Swiss national, no. Everyone else generally needs either a student residence permit that covers internships, or a dedicated long-stay “stagiaire” visa — plus a convention de stage in every case, regardless of nationality.
What’s the single most important document? The convention de stage — a three-party agreement between you, your host organisation, and your school. Without it, your placement isn’t legally a “stage” in France, and both you and the employer risk penalties.
Will I be paid? Only if the internship exceeds 2 months (308 hours). Below that threshold, payment is optional. Above it, a minimum hourly “gratification” is legally required.
Visa Types for Interns in France
Which visa you need depends on your nationality, the length of your internship, and whether you’re already enrolled at a French institution.
| Situation | Visa/Permit Needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA/Swiss national | None | Convention de stage is still mandatory regardless of nationality. |
| Non-EU, already enrolled at a French institution, internship ≤ 90 days | Existing student visa/permit (VLS-TS “étudiant”) | Usually covered by your existing student status if the stage is part of your programme. |
| Non-EU, already enrolled, internship > 90 days | VLS-TS “étudiant” (long-stay, acts as residence permit) | Must be validated with OFII (Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration) within 3 months of arrival. |
| Non-EU, coming to France specifically for an internship (not enrolled in France) | VLS-TS “stagiaire” (long-stay internship visa) | Requires prior approval and a signed convention de stage before applying. |
| Non-EU, internship under 90 days, not otherwise enrolled | Short-stay Schengen visa (or visa waiver, depending on nationality) | Only viable for very short placements; longer stages need the long-stay route. |
Apply through France-Visas, the official government portal. Processing times vary by consulate, so apply as early as your convention de stage allows.
If you’re evaluating a remote or cross‑border stage, our Remote Internships for International Students guide explains how physical location affects visa and work authorization.
The Convention de Stage: What It Is and Why It’s Mandatory
The convention de stage is a legal agreement signed by three parties: you (the intern), your host organisation, and your educational institution. It’s what makes your placement a legally recognised “stage” under French law — without it, you’re not an intern in the eyes of French labour authorities, and the arrangement can be reclassified as informal, unauthorised work.
What the convention de stage must include
- Names and signatures of the student, host organisation, and school/university.
- Start and end dates of the internship.
- Learning objectives and tasks/missions to be performed.
- Name of your on-site supervisor (tuteur) and your academic supervisor.
- Weekly working hours and any gratification amount, if applicable.
- Terms for absences, sick leave, and holiday entitlement during the stage.
When it’s required
A convention de stage is legally required for any internship longer than 2 months, and strongly recommended even for shorter ones — most French schools and companies will insist on one regardless of duration, since it’s also what triggers your visa eligibility and any social security/insurance coverage during the placement.
Without a convention de stage: the placement isn’t legally a stage. This can mean visa refusal, loss of student insurance coverage, and — for the host company — penalties for what French authorities may treat as undeclared work.
Stage vs. Alternance: Don’t Confuse the Two
These terms are often used loosely in English translation, but they are legally distinct in France, and mixing them up can derail your visa application.
| Feature | Stage (Internship) | Alternance (Apprenticeship) |
|---|---|---|
| Employment status | Student intern, not an employee | Employee with a labour contract |
| Governing document | Convention de stage | Contrat d’apprentissage or contrat de professionnalisation |
| Pay | Gratification only if >2 months | Salary set by law, tied to age/level |
| First-year international students | Generally accessible on a standard student visa | Typically not available in your first year on a standard “Visa Etudiant” — plan for a stage first |
If your goal is early work experience as a newly arrived international student, a stage is almost always the accessible route. Alternance becomes realistic later, once you have an established status in France.
Gratification: How Much You’ll Be Paid (2026 Rates)
French law requires a minimum “gratification” once your internship exceeds a set threshold — it isn’t a salary, and interns aren’t covered by the national minimum wage (SMIC), but the gratification floor is still a legal minimum your host organisation cannot go below.
- Threshold: gratification becomes mandatory once your internship exceeds 2 consecutive or non-consecutive months within the same academic year — specifically, more than 308 hours of actual presence (starting from the 309th hour).
- 2026 minimum rate: €4.50 per hour of actual presence, equal to 15% of the hourly Social Security ceiling (set at €30/hour for 2026). This rose from €4.35/hour in 2025.
- Below the threshold: internships of 2 months or less can legally be unpaid, though some employers pay voluntarily.
- Tax treatment: gratification at or below the legal minimum is exempt from social security contributions and, up to the annual SMIC threshold, from income tax.
- Sector exceptions: some collective bargaining agreements (e.g. pharmaceutical industry) require gratification from as little as 1 calendar month — check your sector’s convention collective.
Quick calculation example: a 5-month stage at 35 hours/week works out to roughly 700+ hours of presence — well above the 308-hour threshold — so gratification is mandatory at a minimum of €4.50/hour, paid monthly.
📘 For how France compares to other countries on paid and unpaid internship rules, see our Paid vs Unpaid Internships Legality Guide.
How to Apply: Step by Step
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Secure a written internship offer from a French host organisation, including proposed dates and missions. |
| 2 | Draft and sign the convention de stage with your school and the host organisation — start this as early as possible, since some schools require internal approval first. |
| 3 | If you need a visa (not already enrolled/covered), apply via France-Visas with your signed convention de stage as supporting evidence. |
| 4 | If your internship exceeds 90 days, validate your VLS-TS with OFII within 3 months of arrival in France. |
| 5 | Confirm gratification terms (if applicable) are written into the convention de stage before you start. |
Planning a French programme with a mandatory stage? Check our France GPA conversion guide to see how your grades convert before you apply, and see our full Internships for International Students guide for how France compares to the US, UK, Canada, and Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an internship visa for France? ▼
Do I need a visa to intern in France? ▼
What is a VLS-TS visa for interns? ▼
What is a convention de stage? ▼
What’s the difference between a stage and an alternance? ▼
How much will I be paid for a stage in France? ▼
What happens if I don’t have a convention de stage? ▼
Official Sources
Editorial Disclaimer
This guide is published by LearnViaHub for educational and informational purposes only. French visa and labour rules are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with France-Visas, Service-Public.fr, and your educational institution before applying.
Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, with 6+ years of research experience in international education, GPA systems, and study-abroad guidance for international students.Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, with 6+ years of research experience in international education — including GPA systems, scholarships, student financing, and study-abroad guidance — for students worldwide.