How do I get a student visa for France?

The different types of student visas in France

There are several types of student visas for France depending on the course chosen (Bachelor, Doctorate, Master).

1. Studying in France for a period of less than 3 months

If you plan to study in France for a period of less than 3 months, you must apply for a French short-term student visa type C marked “short-term student”.

As part of an admission competition to a French educational institution, the student must apply for a short-term visa with the mention “student competition”. This type of visa is for non-European students only.

In case of admission to this competition, the student must apply for a residence card at the prefecture without the obligation to return to his country of residence.

2. Studying in France for more than 3 months

To study in France for a period longer than 3 months, you must apply for a VLS-TS (Long Stay Visa equivalent to Residence Permit). This visa allows the student to study in France for a period of 4 months to one year. However, this visa must be validated upon arrival in France.

When the VLS-TS expires, the student must apply for a temporary residence card for one year with the mention “student” in order to be able to stay in France.

In the context where you had to stay in France to continue your studies, you must apply for a multi-year residence permit with the mention “student”.

To study in France between 4 and 6 months, you must apply for a temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T). Doctoral students must apply for a long-stay visa with the mention “talent passport”.

For an internship in France lasting 4 months, you must apply for a long-stay visa with the mention intern. Once the student arrives in France, he must validate this visa with the OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration).

If the student plans to do an internship for more than 4 months, he must apply for a temporary residence card with the mention “intern”.

How do I get a student visa for France?

Regardless of the type of visa you are going to apply for, you must make your deposit 3 to 6 months before the start of the academic year for a long-stay and a short-stay visa respectively. Go to the France-Visa platform to be sure that you need a visa for Come and study in France. If this is true and you are one of the 44 countries concerned by the Études en France procedure, the visa application must be made on this platform.

You can contact the advisers of Campus France from your country to help you in your procedures: applications for registration in educational and training institutions, visa application.

If you are not concerned by the Études en France procedure, you must first be enrolled or pre-enrolled in a French higher education institution, or initial training institution (university, school), or a higher professional training organization.

You will include proof of your pre-registration with your visa application.

What documents are required to apply for a student visa?

Preparing the necessary documents is an important step in the process of obtaining a student visa for France.

The required documents may vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for, but generally, you will need to provide the following documents:

● The Visa application form that you can find on the dedicated site.

● 2 recent identity photos in color (French format 3.5 x 4.5 cm).

● The original valid passport

● 1 photocopy of the page containing the personal data.

● Insurance accompanied by a photocopy.

● Original bachelor's and university degrees and certified photocopies.

● Certificate of pre-registration from the chosen institution and 1 photocopy.

● Completed OFII form.

● Proof of financial resources for scholarship recipients from the French government or from a foreign government: scholarship certificate indicating the amount and duration of the scholarship awarded.

● Proof of financial resources for scholarship students and for non-scholarship recipients

● Application fees

This list is not exhaustive. It varies from one country to another, we advise you to contact the French Consulate in your country for the complete list.

Here are 06 tips for a successful visa application

To increase your chances of success in applying for a student visa for France, here are some useful tips:

● Start preparing the required documents as soon as possible to ensure that you have enough time to gather and review them.

● Complete all sections of the visa application accurately and provide the required documentation.

● Show that you have a good knowledge of French culture and language, this can help strengthen your visa application.

● Be prepared to provide additional evidence to support your visa application if required.

● Be patient and don't let stress overwhelm you. Processing times may vary.

● make an appointment as soon as possible at the French embassy or consulate

Obtaining a student visa for France may seem complicated, but by following the steps and tips listed in this article, you should be in a position to successfully apply for a visa. Remember to start preparing your paperwork as soon as possible, complete the visa application accurately, and remain patient throughout the process.

However, if you are lost in the process of applying for a visa for studies in France or if you want to increase your chances of succeeding in your consular procedures, contact our advisers to assist you in order to facilitate your procedures.

We wish you good luck in your studies in France!