A foreign student who wants to study in France will require a France student visa. France has different application procedures for student visas that depend on what course a student wants to pursue in France and what is the duration of the course.
In order to apply for a France student visa, an applicant must have secured an unconditional offer of a place at one of the universities or recognized educational institutes in France.
4 Types of France student visa
There are four types of French student visas. A student can opt for one of these visas depending on the duration of their studies, as specified in the letter of enrolment. The student visa categories are listed below:
1. Short-stay student visa
The short-stay student visa is intended for students who want to study in France for up to 3 months. This visa is suitable for students who want to enrol in a language course or other short-term courses.
Students with a short-stay visa do not require a residence card during their stay in France. Such a visa cannot be renewed and cannot be transformed into a long-stay visa. This visa is also known as the Schengen short-stay visa.
2. Student-examination visa
The student-examination visa is intended for students who want to come to France to sit for an entrance examination to gain admission to an institute of higher education.
This visa is valid for 90 days.
If the student passes the entrance examination and is enrolled in the educational institute, the student-examination visa will be converted into a long-stay visa. Such students will have to apply for a renewable residence card valid for one year.
3. Temporary long-stay student visa
The temporary long-stay student visa is meant for those students who want to stay and study in France for a period of 3 to 6 months. Students with a temporary long-stay visa do not require a residence card during their stay in France. Such a visa cannot be renewed and cannot be transformed into a long-stay student visa.
4. Long-stay student visa
The long-stay student visa is intended for students who want to study in France for more than 6 months. This visa is valid for the entire duration of the student’s study period in France. Generally, it is granted for three years for a bachelor’s degree, two years for a master’s program, and four years for a PhD. This visa also serves as the student’s residence permit during their stay in France.
Eligibility criteria for France student visa
To be eligible for a visa to study in France, you must fulfil the following conditions:
- You must have a signed and valid passport with a validity of 3 months beyond the expiry date of your student visa
- You must have been enrolled in an eligible academic program in an authorized and accredited educational institution in France.
- You must provide an official enrolment or acceptance letter from the educational institution in France stating that you have been accepted for full-time study. The letter must also provide full details about you and complete details of your program of study, including the start and end dates of the academic program.
- You must provide proof that you have sufficient financial resources to cover your expenses during your stay in France. At present, the amount required is EUR 615 (INR 47,747.55) per month. You can show proof of having the finances through your bank statement, a guarantor’s letter, or funding by means of a loan, grant, or scholarship.
- You must show a copy of an airline ticket or reservation that specifies the date of your departure from France or a handwritten statement by you that states your intended departure date.
- You must show proof of having medical insurance with a minimum cover of EUR 30,000 (INR 2,329,149.00) and it covers the period of your stay in France.
- You must provide proof of your accommodation during the period of your stay in France. In case you are staying on campus or in student housing, then you will have to provide the confirmation letter from the university or college stating the details. If you’re staying with family or friends, then you will need to get a certificate of board and lodging.
- You must provide proof of your proficiency in French if you are studying a French language course.
- You must show an intention to leave France at the end of your authorized stay
Steps to follow to apply for France Student Visa
To obtain a French student visa, citizens of some countries must first register online on the Campus France website, https://www.inde.campusfrance.org/.
Please check the website to see whether citizens of your country are required to register with them before proceeding with the other formalities of the French student visa application.
If you do not need to register with Campus France, you can start at Step 9 of the procedure below.
You must also check the time required to complete the student visa application process. Once you are sure of these details, you can proceed with the application procedure outlined below.
Step 1: Log on to the website of Campus France for online registration
Log on to the https://www.inde.campusfrance.org/.
Step 2: Register online at the website
Create your account on the Campus France website and register online.
Step 3: Get Campus France Registration Number
Fill out the account creation form that will open in a new window. After successfully completing the form, you will receive your unique Campus France Registration Number, your Username (ID), and Password.
Step 4: Access your Campus France Account
Log in to your Campus France Account using the given Username (ID) and Password. Follow the procedure to fill out the Campus France Form. On completion of filling in all details carefully, DO NOT CLICK ON THE “SAVE” button at the bottom of the page.
Step 5: Send your file for review
Send your file to the assigned Campus France office for review and to request an appointment for an academic interview.
Step 6: Request an appointment for an academic interview
Contact the nearest Campus France office and request an appointment for the academic interview via email or phone. You can also request an appointment online.
Step 7: Appear for the academic interview
Appear in person for the academic interview with the Campus France advisor. Reach the venue on the scheduled date on time. During this interview, you will need to explain your reasons for choosing France and the institution to which you were admitted.
Remember to carry all your documents along with you. Refer to the Mandatory Documents to ensure you carry the essential documents with you. You need to have one set of original documents and one set of photocopies of all documents.
You will also need to carry the Campus France fee payment. Refer to the Fee Payment Procedure for Campus France.
Step 8: Get your interview completion certificate
The photocopies of your documents will be verified against the originals. At the end of the interview, you will receive an Interview Completion Certificate from the Campus France Advisor.
Step 9: Download the visa application form
Your next step is to obtain the student visa application form for France. You can get it either from the Embassy or Consulate of France in your country or download the form from the internet.
For a short stay student visa application, you can download the Schengen Visa Form, and for a long stay student visa application, you can download the Long Stay Visa Application Form.
Step 10: Fill out the visa application form
Fill out the details required in the visa application form carefully. Do not forget to put your signature on your application form.
Step 11: Gather the required documents for the visa application
Prepare a checklist of the documents that you need to submit along with your visa application form. Gather all the documents and keep them ready for submission.
If you have registered and attended the academic interview conducted by Campus France, take the Interview Completion Certificate you received with you when you submit the visa application form.
Step 12: Provide a photograph for your visa application
Provide your recent colour photograph for the visa application. Remember that your photograph should meet all the required specifications for visa photographs.
In any case, your photograph must not be more than 6 months old. You will need to submit two copies of your passport photograph along with the application form for a visa.
Step 13: Check the visa application fee
Check the fees required for your visa application and the mode of payment accepted at your local French Embassy or Consulate. Keep the fee ready for submission along with your visa application form.
Step 14: Schedule an appointment
Fix an appointment at the French Embassy or Consulate to submit your student visa application. Remember that you have to register online to schedule an appointment. No appointment is given over the phone or through the internet.
Step 15: Submit your visa application form
Submit your completed visa application form in person at the French Embassy or Consulate nearest to you, along with all the required documentation.
Step 16: Pay the required visa application fee
Pay the applicable fee for your visa application when you submit your application form.
Step 17: Collect your visa
After your visa is issued, you will be notified. Collect your visa.
Required Fees for France Student Visa
Note:
- Your application fee will not be refunded if your student visa application is refused or rejected for any reason.
- The conversion into Indian currency is based on current conversion rates, which may change.
- The visa application fee is subject to change at any time.
Dos and don’ts of France student visa application
You must remember the following dos and don’ts while applying for a French student visa.
Dos
- Fill the Short Stay or Long Stay visa application form, depending on the length of your course.
- Apply for a student visa at least 8 weeks in advance of your planned travel date to allow enough time for the application procedure to be completed on time for you to join your course.
- Fill up your application form carefully with all accurate details
- Bring along original copies and at least one set of photocopies of all documents when you come to submit your visa application form at the French Embassy or Consulate
- Make sure that all the photocopies of documents are in black and white and on A4-size paper
- Be ready to provide any other document that the Visa Officer may request from you
Don’ts
- Do not attempt to submit your student visa application form more than 3 months in advance of your departure date, or it will not be accepted
- Do not present false documents for your student Visa
- Do not hide or misrepresent facts in your application
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