If you have just been accepted by a French university or institution, you should prepare for your student visa the right way. Depending on your nationality and the length of your studies, you may or may not need a student visa to study in France.
To help you get started, this guide is for international students who wish to obtain a student visa for France. It covers the main steps, documents, and fees you may need when applying for a French student visa.
Steps on Applying for a French Student Visa
Step 1. Get an Acceptance Letter from a French School
Before applying for a French student visa, you need to apply to and be accepted by a French school, college, or university and obtain an acceptance or enrollment letter. This document is required as part of the student visa application. To help you get started with your school prospects, here are some well-known universities in France to check out: Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres), École Polytechnique, Sorbonne University, CentraleSupélec, and École Normale Supérieure de Lyon.
Step 2. Complete the Campus France Application if Needed
Once you receive an acceptance or enrollment letter, check whether you live in a country or territory covered by the Études en France procedure. Campus France is the French national agency for promoting higher education, international student services, and international mobility, and the Études en France procedure is mandatory for students residing in certain countries and territories. You can check the current list of countries and territories covered by Études en France.
If your country is not covered by the Études en France procedure, you will usually apply directly to the French institution or through the relevant admissions platform, then complete your visa application through France-Visas if you need a visa. If your country is covered by the Études en France procedure, create an Études en France account and follow the instructions for students who have already been accepted. You will be asked to submit the required documents online and pay any applicable local Campus France fee.
After completing the Campus France or Études en France process, wait for your file to be validated or for the confirmation required for your visa application before attending your visa appointment.
Step 3. Determine the Type of Visa You Need
Students from EU and EEA countries or Switzerland do not need a student visa to study in France. If you are not from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, check whether your nationality and length of stay require a visa. The main student visa options include a short-stay student visa, a temporary long-stay visa, and a long-stay student visa.
The short-stay student visa is generally for studies or training that do not exceed 90 days. It does not require a residence permit after arrival, but a visa fee may apply unless you qualify for an exemption or reduced rate. For studies longer than 90 days, you will generally need a long-stay visa.
For longer studies, you may receive either a temporary long-stay visa or a long-stay visa valid as a residence permit, depending on your planned stay and whether you need a renewable student status. The long-stay visa valid as a residence permit for students, also known as the VLS-TS étudiant, usually allows students to study in France for four months to one year and must be validated online after arrival.
Step 4. Complete the Visa Application Form and Book an Appointment at Your Country’s French Consulate
Begin your visa application at France-Visas by creating an account and completing the online application form. Application timing depends on the country where you submit your file and the type of visa. In many locations, short-stay visa applications cannot be submitted more than six months before departure, while long-stay visa applications may have a shorter early-submission window. Always check the France-Visas country of application page for the latest local appointment rules, fees, and processing information.
Make a list of the required documents so you do not forget anything at your appointment. The exact documents depend on your nationality, country of application, and visa type. Generally, students should prepare the following documents, but they should always confirm the official checklist through the France-Visas Visa Wizard.
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- Completed France-Visas application form, application receipt, and visa appointment confirmation
- Valid passport and photocopy of the passport information page
- Recent ID photographs that meet France-Visas requirements
- Acceptance letter or certificate of enrollment from the French institution
- Campus France or Études en France confirmation, if the procedure applies in your country
- Academic documents, such as your latest diploma, transcripts, or degree certificate, if requested
- Proof of sufficient financial resources, commonly at least €615 per month or the amount required by your official checklist
- Proof of accommodation, such as a temporary address for your first three months in France or your permanent address if already arranged
- Proof of health or travel insurance, if required by your visa type and official checklist
- Travel itinerary or ticket reservation, if requested
- Proof of visa application fee payment and service fee payment, if applicable
- English or French language proficiency certificate, if required by your program or visa checklist
- Any other additional documents required by France-Visas, Campus France, the visa center, or the French consulate in your country
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You may also need digital copies of your documents, as France-Visas allows students to submit digital copies of supporting documents when entering their visa application online. After submitting your online application, book your visa appointment through the official visa center or consulate instructions for your country. If the Études en France procedure applies to you, make sure your Campus France or Études en France file is validated before your visa appointment.
To learn more about fees and how to book an appointment in your country, visit the country of application page.
Step 5. Track Your Application and Wait to Receive Your Passport
You can track your visa application status through the visa application center where you submitted your file or through your France-Visas account, depending on your country of application. If your application is approved, you will be asked to pick up your passport or receive it through an available passport delivery service. After receiving your passport and visa, you can start preparing for your flight and make sure you comply with France’s entry conditions.
If you receive a long-stay visa valid as a residence permit, you must validate your VLS-TS online within three months of arriving in France. The validation procedure is now completed online through the official French foreign nationals portal. The French Office for Immigration and Integration may contact you for additional formalities, a medical check-up, or other requirements. If you want to stay in France after your VLS-TS expires, you must apply for the appropriate residence permit before your visa expires.
FAQs: Student Visa Applications for France
How Much Money Do You Need for a French Student Visa?
For a French long-stay student visa, France-Visas currently lists the visa fee as €50 for countries or territories covered by the Études en France procedure and €99 for other countries. These amounts are indicative, and special cases may have different rates. Short-stay visa fees may also differ, and exemptions or reduced rates may apply in some cases.
Aside from the visa fee, you will generally need to show proof of sufficient financial resources. The commonly cited minimum is €615 per month, or the equivalent amount in your local currency, for the duration required by your official checklist. Depending on your country of application and program, you may also need to show proof of tuition funds, accommodation, insurance, or other expenses.
If you apply through Campus France or Études en France, remember that the Campus France service fee is separate from the visa fee and varies by country and applicant type. Check your local Campus France office for the current fee before paying. For short-stay Schengen visas, medical travel insurance must generally cover at least €30,000 for medical repatriation and emergency or hospital treatment, unless an exemption applies.
France remains a popular study destination among international learners. Being able to study at one of its institutions can give you many opportunities once you graduate. But before you travel, you need to make sure that you have the correct student visa or residence status and that you have submitted all the documents required to legally study in the country.
We hope that this article on getting a student visa in France was helpful! Check out the Study in France and Available Courses for International Students!
