Did you get accepted to a French institution and think it was time to say “Bonjour!” each day? Are you about to embark on a fantastic travel experience?
Before grabbing your French dictionary and putting it in your suitcase, determine whether you require a student visa to France. If so, begin making all the necessary documents and learn the information you require about the process.
Apply to a French school and obtain an acceptance letter
If you are not sure which country you would like to study in, You will have to decide before beginning the student visa application process. Once a French school has accepted you, you will be issued an acceptance letter required to apply for a visa.
Think about some of the top universities in France that we highly recommend:
- Institut Polytechnique de Paris
- KEDGE Business School
- emlyon Business School
- HEC Paris
- ESCP Business School
- ESIEE Paris
- Find out which kind of visa you require to be able to study in France.
- Visa de court to études (‘Schengen short-stay student visa) For studies less than three months. This visa is usually used for short-term studies or language courses. It is free, you do not require any residence permits, and you can apply for a fresh one when it expires.
- Visa of long Sejour for études (temporary extended-stay permit) – for studies that can take three to six months to finish.
- Visa for long-stay Etudes (long-stay visa) is for those who study and require more than six months to finish. It is also necessary to apply for a residence permit to extend your stay once this long-stay visa is expired (one year ).
To determine if you require a student visa, make use of the tool that is availably available on the France Visas site.
Where and when to apply for a student visa
You can obtain a student visa at the French consulate within your home country or through Campus France (an institution promoting higher education in France and has offices in nearly every country worldwide). Certain countries require that you register first through Campus France to receive the student visa.
Follow the steps below:
- Schedule an in-person interview/appointment through the official website of the French consulate in your area
- Visit the calendar online that lists the days available as well as hours.
- Set a date for your rendezvous at least 90 days prior to your departure date in France.
- Pay the processing fee of 50-100 EUR visa, dependent on your nationality.
- The visa will be issued once you have received it. The time to process your application depends on your country of origin, how many students are trying to obtain a visa, and other factors. The earlier you begin the application, the more efficient.
Requirements for learning a language in France
If you are applying for an institution of higher learning in France, You must be able to prove:
- French proficiency in French – If you want to apply to receive a French degree (accepted tests include: DELF/DALF or TCF)
- English proficiency in the language – when you are applying for degrees taught in English (accepted tests include: IELTS TOEFL, IELTS PTE Academic, C1 Advanced)
If you have received acceptance letters from the French university, The French consulate will not require any additional language requirements to obtain studying visas.
Documents required for application to France student visa French Student Visa
- Visa application form
- Two passport-type photos
- A valid passport and copies of previous visas
- The official enrolment form or acceptance note from the school
- A proof of financial capability (around 600 EUR each month) to cover your costs during your time of study
- Airline reservation/ticket with the date of departure
- Medical insurance can cost between 300 and 715 euros per year
- Documents detailing the arrangements for your accommodation for your studies
- French certification of proficiency in French (if you are taken part in a French-taught class)
- Documentation of the payment of visa cost (50-100 EUR)
- Documentation of the civil status (if relevant)
- residence permit for France
In the first year of your study, you will only need a student visa for long-term studies as evidence of your residency status. Within a month of arrival in France, you will need to sign up with an office in the area of the French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) and pass an exam to verify your visa.
If you intend to stay more than one calendar year, beginning at the end of the 2nd year of your studies, you will need to apply for a Carte de Sejour (CDS) or a ‘titer de Sejour, which is an official residence permit issued in France.
Work in France in the capacity of an international student.
International students can be granted employment during their studies subject to a set of conditions.
Suppose you are applying for an employment opportunity. Legally, you are permitted to work in a part-time capacity (around 60% of full-time over a year) and only when you have an active residence permit. In that case, you must be sure that you notify the employer that you are an international student so that they can only review the application for a part-time role.
There may also be employment opportunities in your institution. If you do not want your work to interfere with your education, you could only accept these opportunities during the break in between the academic semesters.
