French Student Visa | 6 things you need to know to get one!

Be it any foreign country, if you want to pursue studies, you will need a student visa which will enable you to do so. The same goes for France. As soon as you get your acceptance letter, you need to apply for a French student visa. 

In order to do that, you will need a host of documents and another set of requirements to fulfill. The process is long and arduous, but we have got all you need to know here in this article to make it a little easier.

Which type of French student visa will you need?

Each country has its own sets of student visas depending on the course and duration. In France, there are three types of student visas. They are as follows-

1. Short-stay student visa– This student visa permits you to pursue studies that have a duration shorter than 3 months. This will be the perfect visa if you intend to do short certification programs or language programs. It is free of cost and you don’t even need to apply for a residence permit.
2. Temporary long-stay visa- This visa will permit you to pursue studies that take anything between 3 to 6 months to complete.
3. Long-stay visa– If your studies take over 6 months to complete, then you should certainly apply for this type of visa. You will also need to apply for a residence permit in this case.

What is the French student visa application process?

You can either contact the French consulate present in your area or country or apply for it through Campus France — an institution that promotes higher education in France in other countries. Here are some of the basic steps you will need to follow to reach the end of your visa application process-

• Step 1 (Online registration)- If you are doing the whole process through Campus France, then you will first be required to create an account on their website. Once done, you will have to fill out the form which will ask you for your academic credentials, language skills certification, CV, etc. After review, you will be given a date for an interview.
• Step 2- Pay the required amount for the application process. 
• Step 3 (Academic Interview)- Keep all your required documents ready with you during this interview. You will be most likely asked about your decision to pursue education in France and regarding the institution where you got selected.
• Step 4 (online application)- After this interview is done, complete your online application.
• Step 5- Go for the scheduled interview with the VFS (Visa Facilitation Services). Here, you will be required to submit your biometric details.
• Step 6- Once you arrive in France, make sure to register and validate your visa at the provided website. This will make you a legal resident of the country.
• Step 7- If you want to stay beyond the period of your visa, you will have to apply for a resident visa.

French student visa requirements

Just like any other application procedure, there will be several documents needed for a French student visa. Here is the list of the same-

• An official acceptance letter from the French institution you have been accepted in.
• A valid passport.
• Proof of funding is required to live in France.
• Proof of accommodation
• Medical insurance is required for a student visa in France
• Proof of the flight ticket
• Proof of fluency in French, if the course you will be attending is taught in that language

COVID Updates

According to Campus France’s website, the country has been welcoming international students despite the raging Covid-19 pandemic. However, there has been a list of requirements and protocols that need to be followed by aspiring students. When it comes to the student visa, you will have to go through the usual processes.

In terms of travel, France has categorized countries into the following groups-

• Green countries
• Orange countries
• Red countries
• Scarlet countries

Depending on which group of countries you hail from, you will have to follow a certain set of rules and carry specific documents. You should also make it a point to check out the vaccines which are recognized by the France government.

Will this student visa allow me to work?

Yes, absolutely! According to French law, foreign students are allowed to work up to 964 hours per year. Students can also work various jobs at their own college or university. These jobs usually last for a year. There are also a lot of apprenticeships and internships you can undertake while being a student.

For how long will my student visa be valid?

As mentioned above, there are three types of French student visas. Depending on the one you applied for, your visa will be valid up to the mentioned time period. For example, if you applied for a long-stay visa or the VLS-TS visa, it will be valid for anywhere between four months to one year. If you need to extend your stay to continue studying, you will have to apply for a multi-annual residence permit.

Who does not need a student visa for France?

If you are an EU (European Union) national, or someone from the EEA (European Economic Area), Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Iceland, you will not require a student visa to pursue higher education in France. You will simply require a valid passport or any other travel identity document.

If you are a national from any other part of the world, you will have to apply and acquire a French student visa to be able to pursue studies there. To do that, simply follow the application process detailed above, and you will have your student visa in no time!

Can I get a work visa after graduation?

Yes, you can certainly start working after graduation! Getting a work permit right after your completion of studies will provide you with the opportunity to get some experience, pay off loans, or just build your CV!

If you are pursuing a program which was for less than 3 months, then you will be sent back after your studies. However, you can come back with a work permit. Those with the VLT-TS visa will be allowed to stay for two years after completing the course, provided that they have completed their master’s or higher from a French institute. 

Key Takeaways

• Choose the right type of student visa depending on your stay.
• To get a visa you can contact the French consulate in your area or country or apply for it through Campus France.
• The time period of your visa will vary depending on which visa you have chosen.

So, this was the complete guide for you on your journey to fulfill your dream in France! If you follow the aforementioned steps and requirements diligently, you will find yourself walking around the streets of Paris in no time! 

Did you like this blog? If yes, drop your thoughts in the comments below and share your views. If you want to learn more about studying abroad, just get in touch with us!

Liked this Blog? Read Wanna study in France? Here are 10 important things you should know.

FAQs

1. What is the application fee for a French student visa?

If you are applying for a long-stay visa, then the application fee should be around 100 euros.

2. Is it easy to get a French student visa?

The process does involve a lot of steps. If you follow them as mentioned in our blog above, then the process can be easier. Once you check off all your requirements and documents, you will certainly get your visa before you can say “Bonjour”.

3. Which are some of the best universities in France?

Some of the most prestigious universities in France include-

• Universite PSL
• Ecole Polytechnique
• Sorbonne University
• Sciences Po Paris
• ENS Paris-Saclay