VISALE is a game-changer for students hoping to study in France. This free service acts as a guarantor for your rent, eliminating the often daunting hurdle of securing a hefty security deposit.
Guarantor Requirements
Traditionally, securing a rental in France requires a guarantor – someone who agrees to pay your rent if you are unable to. This can be a family member, friend, or a third-party organization, but landlords often prefer guarantors who are French residents with a stable income.
This can be a significant challenge for international students who are new to the country and lack connections. Fortunately, VISALE eliminates this hurdle by acting as your guarantor, making the rental process much more accessible.
What is VISALE
VISALE is a free service provided by the French government dedicated to improving housing access. It’s essentially a state-backed guarantee that covers your rent and utility charges in case of unpaid dues. This means that if, for any reason, you are unable to pay your rent, VISALE steps in and covers the cost, providing peace of mind to both you and your landlord.
Who is eligible for VISALE
VISALE is designed to help a wide range of renters in France, including students under a long-stay visa with residency permit (VLS-TS). To be eligible, you must meet certain criteria:
- Age: You must be under 31 years old.
- Student status: You need to be enrolled in a recognized higher education institution in France.
- Residency: The accommodation you intend to rent must be your primary residence located in mainland France.
- Rental type: VISALE is applicable to a variety of housing situations: private rentals, whether furnished or unfurnished or individual rooms in private housing.
- Rent limits: The maximum rent covered by VISALE depends on the location of the property: €1,500 per month in Paris and €1,300 per month in other areas.
You can test your eligibility here: https://www.visale.fr/visale-pour-les-locataires/eligibilite/
How to apply for VISALE
Applying for VISALE is a simple and entirely online process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
- Create an account: Go to the official VISALE website and create a personal account. You’ll need to provide some basic information about yourself.
- Complete the application form: Fill out the application form with details about your studies, your income (if applicable), and the accommodation you plan to rent. You may need to provide a proposed rental agreement at this stage, even if you haven’t signed a lease yet.
- Upload supporting documents: You’ll need to upload a copy of your supporting documents:
- Passport ID page
- Student visa
- Certificate of enrollment from your French institution
- Submit and wait for approval: Once you’ve completed the form and uploaded the necessary documents, submit your application. If your application is approved, you’ll receive a “visa” certificate by email. This document confirms your eligibility for the VISALE guarantee.
- Share with your landlord and sign your contract: Present your VISALE visa to your landlord. This gives them the assurance that your rent is covered in case of any payment difficulties. They will then need to visit the VISALE website to finalize the process and obtain a rental deposit certificate. The lease or rental contract can now be signed!
Good to know: You don’t have to know your address in France before applying for VISALE. Arrangements may be made before you arrive in France. International students can initiate the VISALE process as soon as they receive their long-stay visa (VLS-TS) from the French embassy/consulate.
Find accommodation in France
Go! Go! France partners with Uniplaces and HousingAnywhere, two of the best online marketplaces for booking student accommodation, to offer you a wide selection of options in France.
Uniplaces
Founded in 2012, Uniplaces has rapidly grown into a key player in the student accommodation sector, operating across major cities in Europe and facilitating online bookings. There’s no bureaucracy, no need for a guarantor, and Uniplaces provides multilingual support, a 24-hour move-in policy, an accuracy check for each listing, and an official prepaid accommodation certificate for those requiring a visa.
Search and book your accommodation in France here: https://gogofrance.com/en/accommodation-in-france/
HousingAnywhere
HousingAnywhere, launched in 2009, operates in over 125 cities across the United States and Europe. The platform ensures a streamlined booking process where payments are safeguarded until after the tenant moves in, providing a sense of security for both tenants and landlords.
Search for your future accommodation in France here: https://housinganywhere.com/
