SETTLI

First Week in France Checklist — New VLS-TS Arrivals Guide

· 9 min read · by Settli

If you've just arrived in France, your first thought is probably: "Where do I even start?" Jet-lagged with countless administrative tasks ahead, it's overwhelming.

This guide covers the essential steps every new VLS-TS holder should take in the first 7 days, prioritized by urgency. Whether you're a student, employee, or family member, these steps apply.

⚠ Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and has no legal value. Verify accurate information at service-public.fr or your local Préfecture.

Before departure & arrival day — most important

1. The Schengen entry stamp ✈️

When you arrive at a French airport, border control stamps your passport with the Schengen entry stamp. This stamp is the most critical evidence for ANEF validation, visa renewal, and many administrative procedures.

⚠ Photograph the stamp immediately!

Before even leaving the airport, take a clear photo of the passport page with the stamp. The stamp is often blurry or barely visible — also keep your boarding pass as backup proof.

2. Documents to carry on arrival

3. Temporary mobile connectivity

You can't get a French phone plan in the first week (you'll need a bank account first). Use: your home roaming + a French eSIM. Airalo or Holafly offer eSIMs for €15-20 for 7 days.

Days 1-3 — Start ANEF online validation

You must validate your VLS-TS on ANEF within 3 months of arrival. But to avoid the stamp fading or forgetting later, start right away.

ANEF validation procedure

  1. Create an account: administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr
  2. Select "Valider mon visa long séjour"
  3. Enter visa number, arrival date, address
  4. Upload your stamp photo
  5. Pay the ANEF tax — Students €150. For other visa categories, check service-public.fr
  6. Download and save the "Attestation de validation"

✅ Student VLS-TS validation: €150 (official source: service-public.gouv.fr)

Payment by credit card. If foreign cards are rejected, use Wise or Revolut. Save the receipt too.

⭐ 2024 requirement — Contrat d'engagement républicain

When validating your visa, you must also sign and submit the Contrat d'engagement républicain (CER). ANEF guides you through this. One-page PDF to sign.

📥 Paris: Download PDF

Other cities: search "contrat d'engagement républicain" on your préfecture's website

OFII appointment (employees & family visas)

Students usually don't have an OFII interview. Salarié and VPF visa holders receive a separate convocation:

Days 4-7 — Housing, bank, mobile

1. Proof of residence (Justificatif de domicile) 🏠

Almost every French procedure requires proof of residence. It must be less than 3 months old.

Housing typeDocument
RentalLease (bail) + recent rent receipt (quittance)
CROUS dormResidence certificate (attestation de résidence)
Hosted by acquaintanceAttestation d'hébergement + host's ID + EDF bill in host's name
Hotel / Airbnb1-week+ invoice (temporary, replace later)

2. Open a French bank account 🏦

With proof of residence + passport + VLS-TS, you can open an account. Ranked by foreigner-friendliness:

💡 Combine digital + traditional

Open N26 first to get your RIB quickly, then apply at a traditional bank in parallel. RIB is needed for mobile, CAF, rent.

3. Get a French mobile plan 📱

With your RIB, you can sign up for a plan:

📋 Your personalized checklist

Select your visa type, region, and needs. Settli generates the exact list for your case.

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Week 2+ — CPAM, CAF, transport

1. Health insurance (CPAM) enrollment

French public health insurance. Students enroll automatically (formerly LMDE/SMEREP). Employees: handled by employer. Others: apply individually.

2. Housing benefit (CAF) application 💰

Low-income foreign students can apply. Monthly aid: €100-250.

3. Transport pass 🚇

5 common mistakes to avoid

  1. Not photographing the stamp
    Blurry stamp at ANEF upload = rejected. Photo immediately on arrival!
  2. Delaying OFII payment
    The 3-month deadline comes fast. Without payment, the visa is invalid.
  3. Filing ANEF with a temporary address
    Wait for a permanent address. The récépissé will be mailed to whatever address you provide.
  4. Trying mobile plan without bank account
    No RIB = rejected. Bank first, mobile second.
  5. Carrying originals everywhere
    Always submit copies. Keep originals at home. Re-issuing lost documents can take weeks to months, and some cannot be reissued at all.

Frequently asked questions

Q1. Can I validate ANEF the day I arrive?

Yes. But if your housing is temporary (hotel), wait for a permanent address — the récépissé will be mailed there.

Q2. My Schengen stamp is missing

Can happen with automated gates (CDG terminals). Submit your boarding pass + flight receipt as proof. Préfecture verifies later.

Q3. Same procedure for family visa (VPF)?

Very similar but requires OFII interview + CIR contract. Apostilled marriage and birth certificates of children needed.

Q4. Can I work during the first week?

With student VLS-TS, you can work up to 20 hours/week (964h/year). Ideally after validation. Employer will request VLS-TS copy.

Q5. ANEF is slow to respond

Usually instant. If no response after a week, check ANEF messages and email your préfecture.

Q6. Are English documents accepted?

Partially. University documents in English are OK. Administrative documents (civil status) need translation by a certified translator (traducteur assermenté).

Final thoughts

Your first week in France is intense, but following the order makes it manageable. Essentials:

  1. Stamp photo (immediately on arrival)
  2. ANEF validation + OFII payment (Days 1-3)
  3. Permanent housing + bank + mobile (Days 4-7)
  4. CPAM + CAF + transport (Week 2+)

Need a personalized list based on your visa, region, and situation? Create your Settli checklist in 60 seconds.

This article is for general information. Verify specifics with your préfecture or service-public.fr.
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