Student Visa France: Application Advice
France has a variety of world-renowned universities and a rich academic culture, making it a popular choice amongst international students.
However, navigating the French Student visa process can often be complicated. At Total Law, we can assist you with the application process and help boost your chances of a successful outcome. Contact us online today or on +33 187653350 to learn more about our application services and to get started on your journey towards a visa étudiant France.
Understanding Student Visas for France
When studying in France, the exact visa you apply for will depend on the nature of your studies. If you are planning on studying in France long-term, you will likely need to apply for a Long-Stay French visa.
This visa will need to be validated within your first 3 months in France, via the ‘Administration Numérique pour les Etrangers en France” (ANEF) website, at which point your visa will activate as a Student Residence permit. This allows you to live in France for the next year, at which point your Residence permit will need to be extended.
When completing a course of 90 days or under, you will generally only need to apply for a Short-Term Schengen visa, unless you are from a visa-exempt country, such as the UK, US, Australia, Japan, or Canada, in which case you will only require a visa for longer stays.
Student visas do not provide a direct route to permanent settlement and citizenship in France; instead, you will need to switch to a different visa pathway. However, you may be eligible for a reduced residence period when applying to settle in France, shortening the usual minimum residence period from 5 years to 2 years.
If you are an EU citizen, you don’t require a visa in order to study in France, regardless of the duration of your course.
Page Contents
- Understanding Student Visas for France
- Types of Student Visas Available for France
- Eligibility Requirements for France Student Visas
- Required Documents for a Student Visa Application
- How to Apply for a Student Visa to France?
- Student Visa Interview Preparation
- France Student Visa Financial Requirements
- Health Insurance for International Students in France
- Accommodation Options for Students
- Can You Work on a Student Visa in France?
- Fees for France Students Visa
- France Student Visa Processing Time
- Student Visa Renewal France
- Path to Permanent Residence in France
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Types of Student Visas Available for France
France offers a range of Student visas, and the choice which is right for you will depend on your type of study. The details of the main routes are as follows:
Long-Stay Study in France
Student
To apply for a Student visa, you must be at least 18 years old. You must also have chosen your degree programme and already have been accepted to study in that programme.
If you are from one of the following countries, you will also need to enrol online, following the Campus France procedure:
Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Hong Kong, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Mexico, Peru, USA, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, United Kingdom, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
This procedure requires you to register your intention to study in France online and to attend a Campus France pre-consular interview, where your reasons for studying in France will be discussed.
Young “Au Pair”
The Young “au pair” visa allows the holder to live in France with a French family to improve their French language skills.
In order to be eligible, you must satisfy the following:
- Be 18-30 years old
- Not be related to the host family
- Be a different nationality from the host family
- Have an au pair placement agreement, which outlines the details of your working conditions, pay, accommodation, insurance, and French classes
- Demonstrate basic French knowledge and either a secondary education level or professional qualifications
The visa will initially be granted for up to 1 year and can be extended to a maximum of 2 years.
School-Going Minor
If you are under 18 years old and plan to study at either a private educational institution or a language or sports training centre, you can apply for a School-Going Minor visa. You can apply for this visa if your parents or caregivers do not live in France.
When applying, you will need to provide evidence of the following:
- Proof of your enrolment in an eligible French school (i.e. a private or language/ sports educational institution)
- Your report cards from the previous school year
- Proof that you have proficiency in the French language
- A letter confirming that you have parental authorisation
- Details of your insurance information
- Details of financial support you will receive during your stay
- Contact information of a guarantor who is located within France
This visa needs to be renewed every 11 months.
You can also apply for a Short-Stay visa if the course is less than 3 months.
Student Trainee
If you are a student who wishes to complete a professional work placement in France, you can apply for a Student Trainee visa. In order for you to be eligible for this visa, the work placement will need to satisfy one of the following criteria:
- Be part of a training course which was organised in your country of residence
- Be an EU cooperation programme
- Be an intergovernmental scheme in the field of either education, youth, culture, or training
If your work course is under 90 days, you can also apply for a Short-Stay visa.
Short-Stay Study in France
Schengen Short-Stay
The Schengen visa allows you to enter the Schengen area (including France) for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. If your course is under 90 days, you will likely need to apply for a Schengen Short-Stay visa, unless you are a visa-exempt national.
The number of visits to the Schengen area granted by the visa will be clearly stated on the visa itself (e.g., 1 visit, 2 visits, or multiple visits).
You must demonstrate that you have a legitimate reason for entering the Schengen area, that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay, and that you plan to return to your country of residence at the end of your trip.
Student in Competition Short-Stay
This visa allows you to enter France to sit an exam or an admission interview at a French institute of higher education.
If you pass the test, you will not need to leave France in order to apply for your Student Residency permit. If you do not pass the test, however, you will need to leave France once the results have been published.
To receive bespoke guidance on your chosen Student visa route, contact Total Law and speak with our legal experts.
Eligibility Requirements for France Student Visas
There are a number of France Student visa requirements. The eligibility requirements for a French Student visa vary depending on the specific visa, but you should be able to:
- Provide details of the accommodation which you will use when in France
- Demonstrate that you have the financial means to support yourself for the duration of your stay
- Organise sufficient health insurance for your time in France
- Have already selected a course and successfully been accepted onto it
- Register with Campus France and have an EEF ID number
Required Documents for a Student Visa Application
When applying for a French Student visa, you will need to provide a range of documents. The France Student visa documents checklist is usually as follows:
- Valid passport (or equivalent travel document)
- Photograph
- Proof of residence in your current country of residence
- Certificate of pre-registration from the EEF-Pastel application (Etudes en France), with your EEF ID number
- Proof of access to sufficient funds to support you during your stay
- Proof of accommodation in France
- Certificate of enrollment from the accepting institution
How to Apply for a Student Visa to France?
If you are applying for a Schengen visa, you may be able to apply without a study offer, as this visa also serves as a general Visit visa.
For a Long-Stay Student visa, however, there are a number of steps to complete.
Firstly, you need to register with Campus France, by completing the Etudes en France (EEF) procedure. Once you have done so, you will receive an EEF number which you will need during your visa application.
As part of this registration process, you will need to attend a pre-consular interview with Campus France, where they will ask about your reasons for choosing to study in France. Campus France is not responsible for deciding whether you ultimately receive a visa but do check that your case for studying in France is coherent.
After registering on the EEF platform, you can submit your visa application via the France Visas website. You can do so within 3 months and 3 weeks of your course start date.
Next, you will need to book an appointment at a TLS contact centre. These can be found in numerous global locations. At the appointment, you will be asked to provide your passport, biometric data, and necessary documents, including your passport, EEF confirmation, proof of housing and sufficient funds.
Where possible, you should attend this appointment at least 3 weeks before your scheduled departure to France, to allow time for your application to be processed and for your passport to be returned before your travel.
When in France on a Long-Stay Student visa, you will need to have your visa validated. This can be done online, but it must be done within 3 months of your arrival in France. You will require an email address, visa details, date of arrival and address, and a bank card. Your visa will then be activated as a Residence permit.
Student Visa Interview Preparation
As part of applying for a French Student visa, you may need to attend a pre-consular interview with Campus France. This takes place before your TLS appointment, is done online and lasts around 15-40 minutes.
During the interview, you will be asked questions about your reasons for studying in France and your chosen course. You will also be asked to prepare documents, including the following:
- One-page CV detailing your academic and professional history
- Acceptance letter to a French school or university
- Valid passport
- Diploma from your most recent course
- Copy of your most recent course transcript
Make sure to prepare answers explaining why you have chosen to study in France and why you have chosen your particular course. Your answers should be personal to you, rather than overly general.
France Student Visa Financial Requirements
When applying for a Student visa, you will need to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself for the duration of your stay.
You must demonstrate that you have at least €3,690 per 6 month period or €615 per month.
Health Insurance for International Students in France
For a Schengen visa, you will need health insurance coverage of at least €30,000.
Those on a Long-Stay Student visa will also need to organise health insurance. You will be required to enrol for France’s social security if you are under 28, in which case your healthcare will be covered retroactively from the date on which your course started.
If you are a European student studying in France, you should make sure to apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This will also allow you to access the French national healthcare service.
Accommodation Options for Students
When studying in France, you will have many accommodation options.
One of the most common options for French international students is the centres régionaux des œuvres universitaires et scolaires (CROUS) residences, which are publicly owned and government-subsidised. As such, they are often the most affordable accommodation option and are located close to campus. Living in a CROUS residence guarantees that you will be with other students, helping you build a stronger sense of the university community.
You may also opt for private student accommodation. These properties are generally more expensive, but you will also have a greater range of areas and property types to choose from.
Some students also opt for private landlords, who often charge higher rent but offer a broader range of areas and properties.
Whatever you opt for, you are likely to have a wide variety of options and find something that suits your preferred area and budget.
When applying for a Long-Stay Student visa, you will need to give your intended address for the beginning of your stay. Many students may choose to stay in temporary accommodation, such as a hostel or hotel, while looking for a more long-term accommodation option.
Can You Work on a Student Visa in France?
On a Long-Stay Student visa in France, you will be able to work during your stay for up to 964 hours per year, which is equivalent to about 60% of the usual full-time French work year.
The one exception is Algerian students, who are only authorised to work for 50% of the usual full-time French work year.
As you will only be eligible to work part-time, this will not generally be considered sufficient to support you for the duration of your stay, meaning you will have to provide additional evidence of how you will support yourself during your studies.
If you are in France on a Short-Stay Schengen visa, you will not be able to work during your stay.
Fees for France Students Visa
When applying for a French Student visa, you will need to be aware of the France Student visa cost.
French Long-Stay visas cost f €99.
However, if you are applying from a country which follows the EEF procedure, you will pay a reduced fee of €50.
During your stay, you will also have to pay French tuition fees. At university level, these are usually up to 10,000 euros per year, though certain institutions may charge significantly less.
France Student Visa Processing Time
The entire process should take up to 6 weeks, from completing the EEF procedure to receiving a visa decision from your consulate or embassy.
Make sure to avoid delays by submitting your application correctly the first time around and including all required documentation.
Student Visa Renewal France
If your residence permit is set to expire, you should apply to the prefecture for an extension within 3 months of the expiry date.
The renewed permit will be granted for the remaining duration of your degree.
However, you will not be able to extend your permit if you are no longer enrolled in your programme, as the permit is intended purely to allow you to remain in France to complete your studies.
Path to Permanent Residence in France
French Student visas do not provide a direct route to French permanent residence and are intended as temporary visas.
If you wish to settle in France after your studies, you will need to switch to a visa which does provide a direct route to permanent settlement. The Carte Talent is a popular route, intended for highly skilled recent university graduates. In order to be eligible, you will need to already have a job offer and to meet a minimum salary threshold.
Another popular route is the Job Search / Business Creation permit. This is intended for international students who earned at least a Master’s degree or equivalent from an eligible French university and then left the country after graduating, but who want to return to France to start a business or find employment. To be eligible for this visa, you must apply within 4 years of your graduation from a French university.
How Can Total Law Help?
France is an exciting choice for prospective students looking for an international university adventure. It boasts numerous famous universities, a rich culture, excellent food, and many areas of stunning natural beauty. France also offers a range of Student visas, each one designed for different circumstances.
However, applying for a French visa can often be complicated. Navigating the different immigration rules and regulations is frequently confusing, and seeking legal assistance boosts your chance of a successful application.
Contact us today on +33 187653350 or fill out the online contact form, to learn more about our extensive range of packages, including documentation assistance, application advice, and our relocation services.
Advice Package
Get clear, expert advice on your visa options, eligibility and application before you commit to applying.
Application Package
Let our immigration lawyers prepare, check and manage your application so you can apply with confidence.
Fast Track Package
Need to apply quickly? Get priority handling by our immigration lawyers from preparation to submission.
Appeal Package
Been refused or received an unfavourable decision? Get expert legal help to challenge it or determine your next step.
The Advice Package
During this Advice Session, an immigration lawyer will assess your circumstances, explain your options and tell you what you need to do to make a strong application.
We review your circumstances, explain the relevant requirements, identify potential problems or refusal risks, and advise you on the evidence and next steps.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will assess your case, prepare your application, check your supporting documents and submit your forms on your behalf.
We check your application for missing information, inconsistencies and potential issues before submission, helping you avoid common mistakes that could affect your case.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package gives your case priority with our immigration lawyers, helping you get your application prepared, checked and submitted as quickly as possible.
Your case receives priority handling, including accelerated document reviews, application preparation, communication with your caseworker and submission support.
The Appeal Package
Our immigration lawyers will review the decision, explain why it was refused and advise on the strongest option available to you, including an appeal, review or fresh application where appropriate.
We will examine the reasons for refusal, identify weaknesses or errors, assess your available options and provide the legal support and representation your case requires.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t complete your studies in France, or if you drop out of your programme, your university or educational institution will be required to inform the prefecture that you are no longer enrolled.
This will result in the loss of your student status, meaning you will not be able to apply to extend your Residence permit.
In the event that you do not immediately change to a new visa or switch to a new programme, you will be expected to voluntarily leave France. Failure to do so may result in difficulty with applying for future French visas.
Provided that you submit your application correctly and that you satisfy the eligibility criteria, you should have a good chance of a successful Student visa application. However, gathering the correct evidence to demonstrate that you satisfy the eligibility criteria can often be difficult. At Total Law, our documentation services can help to ease this process. Contact us today to learn more.
If your application is unsuccessful, you may be able to appeal the decision, provided that you submit the appeal within 30 days of receiving the refusal.
For help submitting a new application or for representation during the appeal process, contact our team at Total Law.
