Mobility to France: there is still time for international students to move to France!

During a (digital) meeting with Erasmus students from the universities of Cergy-Pontoise and Evry, the minister discussed the measures implemented to secure the arrival of young international students in French institutions under the best possible conditions and, conversely, the safety of French students travelling abroad to study.

Incoming mobility in the making

Referring to incoming mobility, the minister noted that "the vast majority of those who applied for visas have now obtained them and have arrived in France". However, she pointed out that "the late arrivals, whom most French higher education institutions are still willing to accept, are generally students who have submitted their visa applications late for reasons in relation with the health situation in their country, and sometimes with the delay of exams in their country".

As far as visas are concerned, it should be noted that "applications continue to arrive" and that "the number of visas issued was 50,000 on 7 October 2020, a drop of almost 30% compared to last year". According to the minister, this figure "should stabilise at around 60,000, that is to say a 20% drop by the end of the month". The MInsiter added moreover that " on the whole, institutions indicate a continuous arrival of international students, some of whom are attending online classes while waiting for their actual arrival”. Similarly, CROUSes entities mentioned that "the room occupancy rate is comparable to that of last year, even though some international students have chosen not to return home this summer".

Outgoing mobility in decline

As far as outgoing student mobility is concerned, for the academic year 2019-2020, the minister has already reported an "18% drop in outgoing mobility in higher education, mainly due to the confinement that has prevented students in the second semester from pursuing the Erasmus programme".

However, Frédérique Vidal pointed out that for 2020-2021, Erasmus registrations "remain stable". Nevertheless, on a general level, there has been "a 20% drop in the number of students leaving abroad: as some international institutions are closed, classes are being given at a distance".

Towards a change in mobility?

In view of the health crisis and its uncertain development, the minister believes that this process "will undoubtedly lead to the closure of institutions, or even the refusal by certain establishments to accept French students. The Minister also mentioned the use of "digital mobility, even though the benefits of such mobility will obviously not be the same given the lack of immersion in a foreign country". The Minister concluded that this "e-mobility concept is being studied for the months and years to come in institutions and at European level".