France, as the Host country of the ITER Organization, has implemented specific administrative procedures for the ITER staff and their families. One of those procedures is a specific and facilitated visa process for ITER non-EU citizens, granting them a specific long-stay visa for France (EU citizens do not need any visa).
As long as you fulfil the eligibility conditions, the Welcome Office will assist you in obtaining this specific long stay visa, which is granted by the Protocol of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Eligibility conditions for the specific and facilitated visa process (for you and your family):
This visa is granted to ITER Direct Employees, ITER Project Associates, Visiting Researchers, Members of ITER Domestic Agencies and Interns if they :
- come to work and reside in France for more than 6 months
- are non-EU
- are not resident in France before their IO employment/assignment. For residency status, please see below (Residency status).
If the staff member is not eligible, his/her family members will be not be eligible either (regular immigration process will be applicable, please check on France – Visas).
Children from 18 to 21 can benefit from this visa if they are dependent on their parents and studying in France. Children aged 21 and over have to obtain a different visa (according to their status, please check on France – Visas).
N.B: If you benefit from a double nationality including the French one, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs will only consider the French citizenship. No visa will be required.
Residency status
For the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, a resident in France is any person who, at the time of taking up duties at the ITER Organization, has been living permanently or temporarily in France for 90 days or more. In addition, non-EU citizens are also considered as residents in France if they are already holding a French valid residence card (‘titre de séjour’ issued by a French Préfecture) on the day of their ITER recruitment.
If you are eligible for the specific and facilitated long-stay visa process, please click on your own ITER status to have further information: