How to Apply for a France Student Visa – Are you an international student and want to study in France? Most of the international students who intend to apply for a French student visa find it tedious to apply for a study permit.
It is apparently the cheapest with just a click away combined with the required documents to support the application processes. Applicants for this study permit are advised to find out a university in France of their choice before attempting to apply for a student visa.
In this position, prospective applicants are guided through the necessary steps as well as the required documents to facilitate the study permit application process to France.
Nevertheless, the most frequently asked questions about applying for France student visa will be answered to clear up any doubts and contemplation among individuals.
Apply to a French university and receive your letter of acceptance
Applicants must decide for themselves which university they wish to study at before engaging in the application process. After you have been accepted to a French university, you will receive an acceptance letter that is necessary for the visa application. Without a letter of acceptance from a university in France, applicants cannot apply for a student visa to France.
Find out what type of visa you need to study in France
- Visa de court séjour pour etudes (“Schengen” short stay student visa) – for studies shorter than 3 months. This type of visa is mainly intended for short-term education or language courses. It’s free, you don’t need a residence permit and you can apply for a new one when it expires.
- Visa de long séjour temporaire pour etudes (temporary long stay visa) – for studies lasting 3 to 6 months.
- Visa de lung séjour temporaire pour etudes (long stay visa) – for studies lasting more than 6 months. You must also apply for a residence permit to extend your stay after the expiry of this long-stay visa (one year).
When and where to apply for the student visa
A French student visa can be obtained from a French consulate in your country or through Campus France. Some countries may require applicants to submit an initial application to Campus France in order to obtain a student visa.
Follow the steps below;
- Schedule a personal interview/appointment via the official website of the French consulate in your area
- View the online calendar with available dates and times
- Try to schedule the date of the appointment at least 90 days before your departure to France.
- Pay the visa processing fee: from 50-100 EUR depending on your nationality
- Wait until you receive the visa. The processing time depends on your nationality, how many students are currently applying for a visa, and so on.
Language requirements for studying in France
Below are the requirements required for the application of a France student visa;
- French language proficiency – if you are applying for French language degrees (tests accepted are: DELF/DALF or TCF)
- English language proficiency – candidates for English language degrees (tests accepted are: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or C1 Advanced)
Meanwhile, applicants who have already received their letter of acceptance from a French university do not need to prove language proficiency from a French consulate.
Required application documents for the French student visa
The following are the required documents expected from prospective applicants;
- Visa application form
- Two passport photos
- Valid passport and copies of your previous visas
- Official enrollment or acceptance letter from the university
- Proof of financial means (approximately EUR 615 per month) to cover all your expenses during your study period
- Flight ticket/reservation stating departure date
- Medical insurance can cost between 300 and 715 EUR/year.
- Documents showing the residence arrangement during your studies
- Certificate in French Language Proficiency
- Proof of payment of the visa fee
- Proof of marital status (if applicable)
Residence permit in France
During the applicant’s first year of study, they only need a long-stay student visa as proof of their residency status. Within one month of arriving in France, applicants must register with the local French Immigration and Integration Office (OFII) and undergo a medical examination to validate their visa.
Frequently Asked Questions About Applying For A Student Visa For France (FAQ)
How can I extend/extend my visa?
If you are in France, you can contact the prefecture of your place of residence, and if you are in your country of residence, you can contact the consular services or an authorized service provider.
Which country is responsible for processing my visa?
The Member State is competent to process and decide on visa applications.
I am planning to travel to France, but my flight arrives in another country. Where should I apply for my visa?
You must apply for your visa at the French consulate, as France is the main destination of your trip in terms of duration, even if you enter the Schengen area through another member state.
Below are links on how to apply for a student visa for other countries;
In this feature, applicants were guided through the steps involved in applying for a student visa to France, along with the required documents.