Immigration law: no changes for international students

The “Welcome to France” objectives for hosting international students are maintained

In its decision of January 25, 2024 on the "Immigration Control and Integration Improvement Bill", the Constitutional Council declared unconstitutional the measures concerning international students, including the creation of a new deposit (article 11), the obligation to provide evidence each year that they are enrolled in a “real and serious” study program (article 12), and generalization of the increase in tuition fees for non-EU students (article 13).

The law to be promulgated will not affect the application process or living conditions of international students in France. In a speech on January 26, Sylvie Retailleau, Minister of Higher Education and Research, stressed that "international students are an opportunity for France".

500,000 foreign students in France by 2027

Launched in 2019, the Welcome to France strategy aims to welcome half a million international students by 2027: there are currently 402,883 of them studying in France, an increase of 17% in five years.    

This strategy will enable France, the 6th host country in the world, to strengthen its position as a host country for international students and scientists, who represent an essential contribution to the international opening of the university system and the vitality of French research.

As part of this strategy, Campus France points out that France has made numerous efforts to facilitate the application process for international students, notably through dematerialization. France is also one of the few countries in the world to offer international students access to social benefits and health insurance.

The exceptional quality/price ratio of studies in France remains an asset in the competition between the main host countries: the immigration law does not modify the amount of tuition fees in public universities for non-EU students, i.e. €2,770 per year for a bachelor's degree, €3,770 for a master's degree and €380 for a doctorate, with the possibility of exemptions depending on the university.

Finally, Campus France notes that the immigration law maintains and simplifies the "carte talents" scheme, a multi-year residence permit available to young foreign graduates who have obtained a master's degree in France, international doctoral students or entrepreneurs.

A new campaign in 2024

In 2024, Campus France announces the launch of a new global communication campaign to promote the country as a world-class study destination in the heart of Europe.

For students wishing to study in France at the start of the 2024 academic year, Campus France reminds that the recruitment campaign via the “Études en France” platform is still open. Students are invited to contact the Campus France office in their country (205 Campus France offices in 134 countries) to find out more about the application process and schedule.

Key figures

• The number of foreign students enrolled in French higher education in 2022-2023 is 402,833, an increase of 2.6% compared to 2021-2022 and 17% over 5 years.

• Morocco, Algeria, China, Italy and Senegal are the top five countries sending students.

• 5 billion euros: the annual contribution of international students to the French economy (source: Campus France study on the economic impact of international students in France).