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France Student Visa Guide

France is incredibly popular for international students, and is a major western European country with a population of nearly 70 million residents. The country has a centuries-old history as a centre for art, culture, design, fashion and European politics.

France is an immigrant-friendly country, and with almost 75% of residents in French cities speaking English, travellers and students will find it easy to explore. International students, employees and residents in France enjoy visa-free access to most of Europe through the Schengen visa system.

The country’s excellent air and rail transport network allows for comfortable and fast travel, both within the country and to neighbouring countries such as Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom. Most French cities, including Marseille, Paris and Lyon, are known for their culturally vibrant lifestyles, world-class public infrastructure and, most importantly for international students, top-ranked universities in a variety of disciplines.

The France Student Visa

If you are from an EU/EEA country, you do not need a visa to study in France.

France usually provides international students with three types of student visas, depending on the length of your planned degree programme. These are:

  • Visa de court séjour pour études (‘Schengen’ short-stay student visa): This student visa allows you to study for up to three months in France without requiring a separate residence visa. This visa is typically for international students enrolled in language courses and other short-term programs. This is a renewable visa type and you can apply for free
  • Visa de long séjour temporaire pour études (temporary long-stay visa): This visa allows international students to study in France for a period of three to six months without the need for a residence permit. It is a non-renewable student visa which is only given once
  • Visa de long séjour études (long-stay visa): This student visa enables you to live and study in France for for the duration of your course, which is usually three years for bachelor’s degrees, two years for masters degrees and four years for a doctoral programme or a PhD. This student visa is also a residence permit and is also known as VLT-TS

You must be 18 or over in order to apply for a student visa. Each French student visa type requires a different set of documents. Here are the documents that are most commonly required:

  • Passport: Must be valid for the entire duration of your university degree
  • Proof of enrolment at a French university
  • Proof of funds: you must provide proof that you can provide the tuition fees for your degree programme as well as a minimum of 615 Euros (as of 2024) for every month of your planned stay
  • Two passport-size photographs
  • Document known as a No Objection Certificate from CampusFrance, a French government-run organisation for international student support
  • Long stay application form for student visa types of more than 3 months
  • Proof of medical insurance that is valid in France
  • Proof of accommodation arrangements
  • Your CV, previous academic degrees and other important academic certificates
  • Cover letter or statement of purpose explaining your degree programme and post-graduation career plan
  • OFII form (Office Français de Immigration et d’Intégration)
  • Proof of payment of visa application fees (50 EUR if you are from a country with EEF procedure, 99 EUR for any other country).

France Student Visa Process and Fees for International Students

You can apply for a French student visa online from most countries. To do this you need to create an account on the France-Visas website, which is run by the French government. You will then be able to upload all relevant documents and follow the process through your online account.

For applicants who live in countries or territories that have the EEF procedure, an application for a long stay visa will cost 50 Euros. If you are from any other country you will be required to pay 99 Euros.

France Student Visa Work Rules

Current France student visa rules enable you to work up to 964 hours during a calendar year alongside pursuing your academic degree. Many international students secure excellent part-time employment and internships with employers as well as university organisations all over France in order to offset tuition and living expenses. France provides master’s degree holders with a one-time non-renewable temporary residency authorisation known as the APS (autorisation Provisoire de séjour), which is valid for 24 months post-graduation.

With its world-class universities, colourful local culture and traditions, tourist-friendly cities and unique entertainment venues, it is no surprise that France remains a favourite destination for hundreds of thousands of international students each year.