Algerian Students in France — Administrative Guide (1968 Agreement)
Franco-Algerian Agreement 1968: certificat de residence and 480 hours/year work limit
Key data for Algerian students
| Indicator | Timeline / Amount |
|---|---|
| Campus France processing time (complete file) | 6 to 10 weeks |
| TLScontact appointment wait | 2 to 6 weeks |
| Visa processing (after submission) | 2 to 6 weeks |
| Authorised working hours/year | 480 hours (50% — specific to Algeria) |
| Certificat de residence renewal | Annual mandatory (no multi-year card) |
| Campus France fees | ~11,000 DZD |
| Visa fees | €99 |
| Renewal fiscal stamp | €225 |
Exceptional regime under the 1968 Agreement: no standard residence permit
Algerian nationals fall under a separate legal framework from the Code de l'entree et du sejour des etrangers (CESEDA). The Franco-Algerian Agreement of 27 December 1968, as amended by three addendums (1985, 1994, 2001), is the exclusive legal basis for the entry, stay, and work of Algerians in France.
Main consequences for students:
- No standard 'etudiant' carte de sejour but a one-year certificat de residence with the mention 'etudiant'
- Work limit fixed at 50% of annual working time (approximately 480 hours/year, not 964 hours as for other nationalities)
- Status change procedure (student to employee) subject to specific rules
- No multi-year residence card: annual renewal mandatory
Campus France Algeria procedure (EEF)
Step 1: Register on the Etudes en France (EEF) platform
- Create an account on https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance/
- Enter your academic background (Algerian baccalaureat + transcripts)
- Submit up to 7 institution choices (3 choices for DAP Blanche in Licence 1)
- Pay the Campus France application fee: approximately 11,000 DZD
- Submit the physical file to the nearest Campus France office (Algiers, Oran, Annaba, Constantine, Tlemcen)
Step 2: Pedagogical interview
- Individual interview at the Campus France office
- Assessment of the study project, motivation, and consistency of background
- The advisor writes a pedagogical assessment transmitted to the consulate
Step 3: Acceptance and pre-enrollment
- The French institution sends an admission letter
- Confirm acceptance on the EEF platform
- Prepare the visa application file
Student visa application from Algeria
Required documents
- Valid passport (validity > 6 months after expected return date)
- Completed and signed long-stay visa application form
- Pre-enrollment or admission certificate from the institution
- Campus France attestation with favourable assessment
- Proof of financial resources: €615/month minimum (bank statement, scholarship, or parental support)
- Proof of accommodation in France
- Travel insurance covering the first months
- Visa fee: €99
Where to apply?
- French consulate (Algiers, Oran, Annaba) via TLScontact appointment platform
- Processing time: 2 to 6 weeks (apply at least 2 months before the start of term)
One-year certificat de residence for Algerian nationals (mention 'etudiant')
What distinguishes the certificat de residence
Unlike other nationalities who receive a student titre de sejour (potentially multi-year), Algerian students receive a one-year certificat de residence, renewable each year. This document:
- Is issued under the 1968 Agreement (not CESEDA)
- Bears the mention 'etudiant' and authorises studies
- Must be renewed each year (no multi-year card possible)
- Is applied for via the ANEF portal
- Fiscal stamp cost: €75 (first issuance) then €225 (renewal)
Work rule: the 480-hour limit
The 1968 Agreement limits Algerian students to 50% of annual working time, i.e. approximately 480 hours per year (compared to 964 hours for students under the CESEDA).
- Approximately 10 hours per week during term (vs 20 hours for others)
- Mandatory internships in the academic programme do not count towards the 480 hours
- Exceeding the limit may result in withdrawal of the certificat de residence and an OQTF
Scholarships and financial aid
Programme National Exceptionnel (PNE)
- Algerian government scholarship for Master's and PhD students
- Application via the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education (MESRS)
Franco-Algerian scholarships
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarship: open to Algerians (Master's/PhD), managed by Campus France
- French Government Scholarship (BGF): awarded by the French Embassy in Algiers
Standard French aid
Algerian students benefit from standard French aid like any student: APL/ALS (housing), CVEC (€105, exemption possible for scholarship holders), university restaurant (CROUS rates).
Status change (student to employee)
For Algerians, the status change follows the 1968 Agreement:
- Obtain a job offer or work contract (CDI or CDD > 12 months)
- Employer submits a work authorisation application to the DREETS
- Proposed salary must be at least 1.5 SMIC
- Labour market situation (opposabilite) is examined except for shortage occupations
Important: Algerian students do not have access to the APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Sejour) 12-month post-master programme. They must anticipate the status change before their certificat de residence expires.