Students Under 18

A minor student must be accompanied by a guardian, either a parent or an individual with legal guardianship rights, in order to open a French bank account. Please be aware that most banks will not agree to open a bank account for a foreign minor student whose guardian does not live in France and/or does not hold French residency. A French bank account is needed by those enrolling in a long-term French phone plan; however, all French phone carriers offer short-term renewable plans.

Minor students are ineligible to enroll in the French healthcare system, AMELI, until they turn 18 (if they are EU nationals) or receive a student residence permit (carte de séjour) (if they are non-EU nationals). 

It is important to note that proof of health insurance is required for non-EU nationals who are minor students when they submit documents to Campus France during the visa application process. For this reason, Parsons Paris encourages minor students who are not EU nationals and their guardians to check with their home health insurance to find out whether it can provide international coverage. Our partner, Academic Programs International (API), can offer students who are unable to procure international coverage the required coverage at a cost until they are covered through AMELI.

Please refer to the sections below to learn more about the French healthcare system for both EU nationals and non-EU nationals. 

After enrolling in the French healthcare system, AMELI, students will receive a French social security number, which is required for those who wish to legally intern or work in France. EU nationals who are minor students can enroll in AMELI once they turn 18. Non-EU nationals who are minor students can enroll in AMELI once they have received their student residence permit (carte de séjour). As a result, the ability to work or intern depends on a student’s birth date and the processing time of both the residence permit (carte de séjour) application and the enrollment in AMELI. 

EU nationals may enter and study in France without a visa, but not all EU residence permit holders are granted the right to enter and study in France without a visa.

Parsons Paris encourages minor students and their guardians to check with their home or national health insurance program to find out whether it provides coverage in France. API can provide the required coverage at a cost to students who are unable to procure international coverageuntil they turn 18 and can enroll in AMELI. On average it takes two weeks to three months for a student's enrollment in AMELI to be processed and approved.  

After enrolling in AMELI, students will receive a French social security number, which they will need in order to legally intern or work in France. As stated in the Health Insurance section on this page, on average it takes two weeks to three months for a student's enrollment in AMELI to be reviewed and accepted. 

Parsons Paris encourages non-EU students under 18 and their guardians to contact Student Life at [email protected] as soon as they have made the decision to enroll in Parsons Paris. Our Student Life team partners with API to support all incoming students in their immigration processing. Students will receive detailed information on the steps they need to take after they have made their deposit.

Students who are not European Union (EU) citizens, and who therefore must apply for a visa in order to legally study in France for longer than three months, will most likely receive a visa “mineur scolarisé.” The French consulate that processes the visa application may decide to issue a long-term student visa for students who will reach the age of 18 within a few weeks of their intended arrival in France. The type of visa the French consulate issues is determined by the immigration authorities. Parsons Paris has no influence over that decision.

Minors must apply for this minor visa from their home country or country of residence. In general, students should begin the visa application process three to four months before the start of the semester. Note that students in this situation who begin this process two months before the semester starts will not have the recommended amount of time to start the visa application process.

Minor students should plan to arrive in Paris accompanied by a legal guardian who can stay seven to ten days to fully address administrative matters.

After arriving at Parsons Paris, minors must contact the Parsons Paris Student Life team at [email protected]. They will meet with a member of the team who will help them with the process of converting a minor visa to a student residence permit (carte de séjour). This must be started within two months of a student’s turning 18 to ensure legal immigration status and to prevent difficulties. It takes on average 4-7 months for a minor student to complete the transition process to a student residence permit (carte de séjour).

The conversion process involves: 

1. Gathering required documents. Please note this is not an exhaustive list and that some documents may need to be translated into French by an accredited translator in France. Student Life staff will inform minor students about the additional required documentation and if accredited translations are needed once they arrive in Paris.
• Your passport
• Your minor visa
• A copy of your birth certificate
• E-photos taken in a photo booth in Paris
• Your entrance stamp or boarding pass showing the day you entered France or the EU
• Proof of a valid home address in France (in or outside Paris)
• Your New School email address
2. Attending an appointment with the French immigration office (préfecture)
3. Respecting travel restrictions (see the Travel Restrictions section on this page)

Non-EU students entering France on a minor visa are not authorized to travel outside of the country between the time they turn 18 and the time they secure a new residency permit.

As this restriction may affect travel plans for students during weekend and school breaks, it is important for families and guardians to be aware of it and plan accordingly. 

Minor students who turn 18 after the end of the academic year (following the spring semester) may choose to go back home to apply for a student visa.

Parsons Paris Student Life hereby declines responsibility for any consequences resulting from a non-EU student’s decision to leave France before their transition to a residency permit is complete.

Minor students are ineligible to enroll in the French healthcare system, AMELI, until they receive a student residence permit (carte de séjour). After students receive the permit, it takes on average two weeks to three months for their enrollment to be reviewed and accepted for the French healthcare system. As a result, the ability to work or intern depends on a student’s birth date and the processing time of both the residence permit (carte de séjour) application and enrollment in AMELI.