France Student Visa Guide 2024

There are different types of French student visas as given below:

• Visa de court séjour pour etudes (‘Schengen’ short-stay student visa): You can come to France and study for up to three months on this visa, without the need for a separate residence visa. This is suitable for those enrolling on a language course or short-term programs.

• Visa de long séjour temporaire pour etudes (temporary long-stay visa): This visa allows you to study in France for between three and six months without the need for a residence permit. It is non-renewable.

• Visa de long séjour etudes (long-stay visa): If you want to study for longer than six months, then you need to apply for this visa. Initially valid for up to 4 months to a year, this long-stay visa acts as a residence permit and is called VLT-TS. After the expiration of its validity period of 1 year, if required for the course, you can apply for a multi-annual residence permit. This type of study visa lasts for the duration of your course in France i.e. three years for a bachelor's, two years for a master's, and four years for a PhD.   

Check: Top Universities & Colleges in France

France Student Visa Requirements

Meeting the eligibility requirements for getting a student visa is crucial otherwise your application for a French student visa may get rejected. The general eligibility requirements for getting a French student visa are given below:

1. The applicant must be at least 18 years old. 
2. The visa applicants must already have selected their course of study.
3. The applicant must have been accepted by a host institute in France.

France Student Visa: Application Overview

Submission of Visa application and collection of passports can be done only by the applicant himself or through a travel agency authorised by the Embassy of France, New Delhi. French Student Visa has two distinct stages of application. One at the Campus France and the other at the embassy. The set of documents can vary for both of them. You would be required to submit originals at Campus France and photocopies at the embassy/ consulate/ Visa Application Centres.

One may apply for a French Student Visa for:

• Student Exchange Programmes
• Full-time graduate/master's/dual courses at universities in France
• Erasmus-Mundus programmes
• French language learning programmes
• Short-term internship programmes required by the undergraduate/master’s level programme one is pursuing

How to Apply for France Student Visa?

There are several steps to applying for a visa. First, you need to appear for an interview with Campus France, then you need to submit your documents to VFS

• Log on to india.campusfrance.org or visit the French government's official website for visa application, i.e. https://france-visas.gouv.fr/. At the "Register Online" box click on Create Your Account. 
• Fill in the academic records, language skills, and CV, SOP sections. Upload documents, photographs, and academic records. Ensure that all fields in the Validation tab indicate “Complete”.
• Send your file number to the assigned Campus France office to get your file reviewed, and to request an appointment.
• You will have to appear in person for the academic interview with the Campus France advisor. You must also carry all the mandatory documents plus one set of photocopies along with the Campus France fee payment receipt.
• You will receive an Interview completion certificate at the end of the interview.
• After the academic interview, schedule an appointment with VFS-France, to submit your documents, photocopies, receipts, and passport.

Note: The Embassy of France, New Delhi has implemented a change in arrangements for the collection of the processed passport from visa application centres. With effect from 8th December 2014, the third parties cannot collect the documents on behalf of an applicant, except in the following cases:

• Immediate family members (Parent, Child or sibling)
• One member of a group collecting for the entire group
• A person collecting on behalf of Govt. officials if authorised on the Govt. letterhead or department
• A representative of a company - Authorization letter on the letterhead of the company and the official ID card of the representative. 

France Student Visa Fees

The France study visa price for the EEF procedure countries and territories is €50 and for the rest of the countries is €99. The France Student Visa Fee for Indian students is €50.

Note: You can check the EEF procedure countries on the France study visa official website, https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/student.  

Documents Required for France Student Visa

Students applying for a France student visa can now send their supporting documents' digital copies while filling up the online visa application form. This is optional and the same will permit a quick process by the external service provider (ESP). 

You should provide two sets of application photocopies containing the following documents:

• Long stay application form for the duration of more than 90 days,
• Two passport-size photographs, 
• A copy of the Passport, 
• A printout of your Campus France NOC,
• Letter of appointment from the French academic institution (important),
• Cover letter explaining the study project and an updated CV/Resume,
• Proof of funds - tuition fees + a minimum of 615 Euros/month, for the complete academic term,
• Proof of medical insurance with coverage valid in France,
• Copy of your round-trip airline ticket (if you are studying for six months or less) or a one-way ticket if you are studying in France for more than six months),
• OFII form (Office Francais de Immigration et de Integration),
• Proof of residency in France such as a lease, electricity bill, title of property, etc. for a minimum of three months or a hotel reservation, and
• Copies of the degree and academic diplomas, and certificates. 

When you go for your interview, you would be required to carry all your documents in the original plus a copy of all the documents. 

Also, read about student visas for study abroad and student visa for prominent international study destinations:

• Student Visa for Singapore
• Student Visa for New Zealand
• Student Visa for Germany

France Student Visa: Dependents

Spouses and children may be permitted to reside in France while you study, but this is conditional. These conditions include having enough appropriate financing and living space. Cases are decided on an individual basis at the France embassy, and special consideration may be given to your case if you can explain your situation to the consulate effectively.

If you were accepted by a French University for a Bachelor's degree (which is called a "Licence"), your spouse would not be given a visa to accompany you or be permitted to work in France unless s/he is a European citizen. The case might be different for Research or doctorate students. They may be allowed to take along their spouse or kids, but that depends on various terms and rules.

France Student Visa: Part-time Jobs

French law allows students to do 964 hours of part-time work in France in a given year. International students are also eligible for student jobs at universities. Students are hired to assist incoming students, help disabled students, tutor, IT support and assistance, work in the career centre, etc.

Student employees are supposed to follow a work schedule that will not interfere with their studies. The terms and conditions of employment are adapted to the requirements of each student's program to ensure academic success while offering work experience.

Also Read: What is M1 Certificate for Campus France?

Work Visa France

Students who have earned at least a master's degree or the equivalent may apply for a one-time non-renewable temporary residency authorization called APS (authorization Provisoire de séjour) or Post Study Work Permit in France. It is valid for 24 months. Students who obtain a job related to their academic program may enter full-time employment by filing a request for a change of status (from student to employee) in their application.

Scholarships for Studying in France

France is considered one of the most sought-after destinations for pursuing higher education by international students. Also, those looking to gain knowledge and enhance their skills through quality education prefer this international education hub. However, living costs in France and tuition fees in France can be a costly affair, therefore, various fellowships are available to help students in completing their education. We have listed out top scholarships to study in France.

• Inlaks Scholarships (University Courses)
• Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for SC etc. candidates
• Global Study Awards

VFS Visa Application Centers

New Delhi
2/50 E Shantipath – Chanakyapuri, Delhi 110021
Tel: (11) 43 19 61 00 Fax: (11) 43 19 61 19

Mumbai

Wockhardt Towers, East Wing, 5th Floor
Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai 400 051
Tel: (022)66 69 40 00, Fax: (022)66 69 40 66

Puducherry

2, rue de la Marin, Pondicherry 605 001
Tel: (0413)223 10 0, Fax: (0413)223 10 01

Bangalore

21, Palace Road - Vasanthnagar, Bangalore 560 052
Tel: (080)22 14 12 00

Kolkata

21 C Raja Santosh Road – Alipore, Kolkata 700 027
Tel: (33)40 16 32 0, Fax: (33)40 16 32 01

What is France Student Visa Processing Time?

Your visa application is completely monitored by the visa centre from where you have applied. The visa centre notifies you when your passport is ready. Generally, French visas are processed within 15 days; however, the process may extend up to 45 days in some cases.

This was all about the French student visa. If you wish to study abroad, avail Shiksha's Counseling Services for free.