India, France to allow 2-year extended stay for students

Indian students in France and their French counterparts in India can hope to extend their stay in the respective countries after completion of their studies under a new agreement signed in Paris during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's just-concluded visit to France.

The new scheme would facilitate professional experience for their students in both countries after the completion of their courses.

The new scheme allows Indian students in France to stay for a period of 24 months after completing their studies while the 250 French students in India can get their Indian visas renewed for 12 months and a maximum of 2 years.

Indian students in France can get a 'second residence permit' of 12 months in France following the 12 months already granted. Indian post graduate students will be allowed the benefit of a 2-year special residence permit in France.

Besides, the two leaders agreed to increase the number of student exchanges.
 
"The two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the growing exchanges between the two countries in the field of education and agreed to take steps to increase the number of Indian students studying in France and French students studying in India," a joint statement issued after Modi's talks with President Francois Hollande said.

"Indian youth, who come to France to study and want to continue here for some time after studies, can do that now," Modi said on Saturday night while addressing NRIs in France.

Leaders of India and France welcomed the agreement that would help professionals familiarize with practices of the host country.