Do you need a student visa for France?

You will need to obtain a student visa to France to be able to start your studies.

What type of French student visa will you need?

There are several types of French student visas, and the one you need will differ depending on how long you plan to study in France.

Schengen student visa (short-term)

If your studies will last less than three months and you are sure that you will extend your stay in the country, you should apply for a short-term or Schengen student visa.

Schengen student visa is issued free of charge and cannot be extended.

Visa to take entrance exams

If you need to travel to France to take one or more university entrance exams, you can apply for a visade court séjour étudiant concours, which simply means a visa to take entrance exams. If you sit for and pass the exam, you are eligible to apply for a renewable one-year residence permit. For more information, please contact the admissions office of the French educational institution you wish to study at.

Temporary long-term visa

Visa de long séjour temporaire pour études is a temporary student visa that allows you to study in France for up to six months. With this student visa to France, you do not need to apply for a residence permit separately.

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Long-term visa

Known as Visa de long sejour pour études or VLT-TS for an extended stay, a long-term visa is what you need if you want to study in France for more than six months. This visa acts as a residence permit and is valid for the duration of your studies (usually three years for a bachelor's degree, two years for a master's program, and four years for a PhD)

How to apply for a student visa to France?

You need to apply for a French student visa through Campus France, the country's official national agency for higher education and international students. You would also have to use Campus France to apply to your chosen French institutions through the CEF procedure. Check out this list of countries, to find out if you need to apply for a visa and entry in this way.

If your country of origin is not listed in the above link, you are responsible for both your university application and your student visa application.

Required documents

• Passport photo
• Valid foreign passport
• Letter of admission to the university where you are studying
• Certificate of entry into the EEF (Accord préalable d'Inscription)
• EEF number (ZA21-XXXXX-PXX)
• Proof of temporary residence in France
• Proof of sufficient funds for your stay in France (equivalent to 615 euros per month for the duration of your stay in France)
• Proof of residence in France, such as a lease agreement, electricity bill, title deed, etc. A minimum of three months or a hotel reservation
• Proof of health insurance with coverage valid in France
• Completed visa application form
• Receipt of payment of the visa fee

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Do I need to provide a bank statement?

• If you plan to present your funds by providing a copy of your bank statement, you will need to provide a copy of a three-month bank statement for the first year of study.
• If you are receiving funding from multiple sponsors, each sponsor must provide an A4 sponsorship letter, as well as bank statements, previous year's income tax return, 3 months of salary statements, and an ID.
• If you are receiving a scholarship or grant, you must provide a certificate indicating the amount and duration of the grant on the letterhead of the organization providing it. If you are relying on a guarantor, your guarantor must provide a signed statement of financial responsibility, a photocopy of the guarantor's national identity card, and proof of the guarantor's own financial resources (e.g., three recent pay stubs and the guarantor's most recent tax return).

IMPORTANT! Only after you have been accepted to participate in the program at a French institution, you will be eligible to apply for a student visa to France.

As a foreigner staying in France for the purpose of studying, you usually need to obtain a student permit, also known as a residence permit or titre de séjour étudiant, to reside in the country legally. A student permit is an official document that allows you to stay in France for the duration of your studies;

Visa regime

Students from countries outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EA) and Switzerland are generally required to apply for a long-term student visa (visa de long séjour pour études) before entering France.

A long-term student visa is valid as an entry visa and allows you to stay in France for more than 90 days.

Upon arrival in France, you will need to confirm your long-term student visa and obtain a student permit.

Application process

1. To obtain a student permit, you will usually need to visit your local prefecture or the nearest French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFIl) within the first few months after your arrival in France.

2. The application process may vary depending on your specific circumstances, but generally involves submitting the required documents, filling out an application form, and paying the appropriate fees.

3. The required documents may include a passport, visa, proof of enrollment in a recognized French university, proof of financial means, proof of housing, health insurance, and sometimes a recent photograph.

Validity and renewal period

An initial residence permit is usually issued for the period of studying under an academic program.

You may need to apply for an extension before the permit expires if you plan to continue your studies in France or if the duration of your program exceeds the validity of the initial permit.

The renewal process should be started in advance and you will need to provide updated documentation to prove your continued study and financial solvency.

Terms and conditions

A student permit allows you to legally reside in France for the purpose of studying.

It provides you with certain rights, such as access to healthcare, the ability to work limited hours, and the right to certain student benefits.

It is important to comply with the terms and conditions specified in your student permit, for example, to continue your studies in your academic program and to update your contact information with the authorities

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In France, there are preparatory programs for applicants, also known as "preparatory classes" or "prépas", which are designed to provide intensive academic preparation for future students. These programs are highly valued and aim to prepare students for competitive entrance exams to prestigious French higher education institutions, especially in the fields of science, technology and business;

Preparatory courses for large schools (Classes Préparatoires aux Grandes Écoles, CPGE)

CPGE programs are highly selective and are usually offered in high school or specialized institutions

They focus on rigorous academic work and preparation for entrance exams to prestigious engineering schools (Classes Préparatoires aux Grandes Écoles d'Ingénieurs) or business schools (Classes Préparatoires aux Grandes Écoles de Commerce).

CPGE programs typically last two years and are known for their demanding curriculum and competitive environment.

BTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur) and DUT (Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie)

The BTS and DUT programs are two-year professional courses offered by French higher education institutions.

These programs provide practical and technical training in various fields such as business, engineering, computer science, tourism, etc.

The BTS and DUT programs focus on preparing students for specific professions and may include internships or apprenticeships.

First year programs

Some French universities and institutions offer first-year programs for international students who need additional academic preparation before entering a higher education institution.

These programs are designed to bridge the gap between secondary education in their home country and the requirements of the French higher education system.

The first-year programs provide language training, specialized coursework, and academic support to prepare students for their undergraduate studies.

Language and cultural programs

Language and cultural programs are available for international students who want to improve their French language skills and get acquainted with French culture before starting their studies.

These programs can be offered by language schools, universities, or cultural institutes and can last from a few weeks to several months.

Language and cultural programs aim to improve students' language proficiency, cultural understanding, and academic readiness.

What is the admission process for preparatory programs?

The admission process for preparatory programs in France, such as Classes Préparatoires aux Grandes Écoles (CPGE), BTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur), DUT (Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie) and first-year programs, may vary depending on the specific program and institution.

General steps to apply:

1 Research and select programs.

Research and identify degree programs that match your academic interests and goals.

Take into account factors such as program length, specialization, location, admission requirements, and the reputation of the institution offering the program

2. Check the admission requirements

Check out the specific admission requirements for each program you are interested in.

Check if there are any pre-requisites, such as academic qualifications, language tests, or entrance exams.

3. Gather the necessary documents.

Prepare the necessary documents for the application, which may include:

• A completed application form (provided by the educational institution).
• Academic certificates and diplomas of previous studies.
• Language certificates, if any.
• Passport-size photos.
• Personal statement or motivation letter explaining your interest in the program.
• Letters of recommendation, if required.

4. Submit an application.

Check whether the institution requires you to apply online through its portal or send physical copies of documents.

5. Entrance exams.

Some preparatory programs, especially CPGE, may require entrance exams as part of the selection process.

Prepare for and take the required entrance exams, if applicable. The format and content of these exams may vary depending on the program and institution.

6. Attend interviews (if necessary).

Some preparatory programs may require an interview as part of the admission process.

If you are invited, attend the interview and prepare for it by studying the program and expressing your motivation and eligibility for the program.

7. Wait for the enrollment decision.

After submitting your application and passing all the required exams and interviews, wait for the institution to inform you of its admission decision.

This can take several weeks or months, depending on the program and the institution.

8. Acceptance and enrollment.

If you have received an offer of admission, please read the instructions and deadlines for enrollment carefully.

Follow the institution's instructions to secure a place in the program by submitting the necessary documents for admission and paying all required fees