France Student Visa: A Complete Guide

The first step towards a successful study abroad experience is obtaining the correct student visa in France. This guide will simplify the process by explaining the available French student visa options. We’ll break down the visa types based on program length so you can easily choose the one that best suits your chosen course:

Short Stay Visa

France welcomes students from all over the world, and for those seeking a shorter academic experience, the short-stay visa offers a convenient option. This visa, governed by European regulations, allows you to stay in France for up to three months – perfect for language courses, intensive training programs, internships, conferences, or university entrance exams. The process takes 2-3 weeks and 60 euros (approximately INR 5,372) to be paid in cash at the time of depositing the application file).

Who Can Benefit From a Short-Stay Student Visa?

Short-stay student visa in France is designed to be inclusive, welcoming students from all over the world eager to explore France’s academic opportunities.

• Students enrolled in short-term programs (less than three months) or specialized training.
• Individuals attending interviews for French universities or institutions.
• Participants in short conferences or academic events held in France.

The short-stay student visa in France a valuable tool for students preparing to take entrance exams for French universities. It allows you to stay in France for the duration of your exam preparation and the exam itself, providing a stress-free and convenient experience.

Documents Required For Short Stay Visa:

Having all the documents in order will save you time and significantly increase your chances of a successful visa application. So, look into the checklist for the student visa in France which you must submit at the French embassy or consulate during your interview with a consular officer:

Passport & Travel Documents:

• Valid Passport: Original passport with at least three months validity beyond your intended stay in France and two blank visa pages. The passport should be less than 10 years old and have the “visa” mention.
• Passport Copies: One photocopy each of the following:
  • Your passport’s information pages (including photo and biographical details).
  • Validity extension pages (if applicable).
  • “Note on remarks” page.
  • Any pages displaying previous Schengen visas or valid US/UK visas (if applicable).
• Old Passports: If you have any former passports, you must include them.
• Campus France ID: A printout of your Campus France ID number, if applicable.

Academic Documents:

• Enrollment Proof:
  • A letter of registration from your French academic institution.
  • Or, a certificate confirming your participation in a European Union training program.
  • Or, proof of scholarship (if applicable).
• Cover Letter: A cover letter explaining your study project, motivations, and including a brief CV.
• Academic Qualifications: Copies of your relevant degrees/diplomas and certificates.

Financial Resources (Proof of Funds):

• For non-scholarship applicants:
  • Copy of last year’s income tax returns.
  • Last three months’ bank statements and salary slips (if employed).
• For scholarship holders:
  • A certificate mentioning the amount and duration of the scholarship.

Medical Insurance:

• Photocopy of an overseas medical insurance policy with repatriation and evacuation coverage (minimum €30,000). You’ll need to show the original for verification during application submission.

Travel Information:

• Flight Booking: Copy of your return airline ticket or PNR (booking confirmation printout).

Additional Notes:

• Two recent passport-sized photos (3.5cm x 4.5cm, clear background) meeting set standards – one attached to the application form.

Proof for Accommodation:

This can be met in several ways depending on your situation:

• Independent Housing: Copy and original of a lease agreement or title of property (with a photocopy).
• Hotel Stay: Confirmed hotel reservation with a reference number.
• Accommodation Provided by Individual: “Attestation d’Accueil” (Welcome Certificate) issued by your host.
• Institutional Accommodation: Official attestation from the student residence, university, or institution providing your accommodation.

For Students Under 18

If you’re travelling alone and under 18, your visa application must include:

• Parental Authorization: A written authorisation from both parents permitting you to travel to France alone. This authorisation needs to be certified by an official Indian authority.
• Parental ID Copies: Include photocopies of your parents’ identity documents.

Proof of Enrollment: French authorities require proof of your student status. This can be:

• School/University Certificate: A photocopy of your certificate from your school or university.

Proof of Financial Support: If you’re over 18 and financially dependent on your parents, you’ll need to provide proof of this dependence along with proof of enrollment. This can be:

• School/University Certificate: A photocopy of your certificate from your school or university (as above).
• Professional or Educational Occupation Proof: Alternatively, a document proving your professional or educational occupation (if applicable).

Long Stay Visa

If you plan to study in France for over 90 days, securing a long-stay visa is crucial, regardless of nationality. These visas cater to program duration between three months and one year. It’s important to remember that a long-stay visa is intended for something other than permanent residence. If you wish to stay beyond the visa’s validity, you must apply for a residence permit.

The good news is that a long-stay study visa in France functions similarly to a Schengen visa during its validity period. This allows you limited travel within the Schengen Area outside of France for up to 90 days within any 180 days under the same conditions as a regular Schengen visa holder.

Documents Required for Long-Stay Visa

Long-stay visa is helpful if you have to stay in Frnace for more than 90 days. For long stay visa and accommodation, you will have to submit some documents. These are as follows:

Passport & Travel Documents:

• Two Passport Photos: Two recent passport-sized photos (3.5cm x 4.5cm) meeting set standards with a transparent background. One image should be attached to the application form.
• Valid Passport: You must have an original passport with at least three months of validity beyond your intended stay in France and two blank visa pages labelled “visa” for the visa sticker. The passport must have been issued less than ten years ago.
• Passport Copies: One photocopy of each of the following passport pages:
  • Information page (including photo and biographical details)
  • Validity extension pages (if applicable)
  • “Note on remarks” page.
  • All pages displaying previous Schengen visas (if applicable)

• Old Passports: If you have any former passports, you must include photocopies.

Academic Documents:

• CampusFrance ID: A printout of your CampusFrance ID number.
• Enrollment Proof:
  • A letter of registration from your French academic institution.
  • Or a certificate confirming your participation in a European Union training program.
  • Or proof of scholarship (if applicable).

• Cover Letter: A cover letter explaining your study project and motivations, including a brief CV.

Financial Resources (Proof of Resources):

Demonstrate your ability to cover living expenses throughout your stay. This can be done in several ways depending on your financial situation:

• Personal Funds:
  • Bank statements from the last three months show sufficient liquid assets to cover tuition fees and a minimum of €615 per month for your entire stay (living expenses). In Paris, you will be required to testify that you have minimum financial resources of €65 per day.

• Sponsored Studies:

• • If a family member or friend funds your studies, provide an undertaking on plain paper signed by your sponsor along with supporting financial documents:
    • Bank statements from the last three months of your sponsor (and your statements, if applicable).
  • Accommodation Provided by Family in France:
    • Your host family issued an “Attestation d’Accueil”
    • In this case, you’ll need to show resources for a minimum of €215 per month for living expenses.

• Scholarship Holders:
  • A certificate mentioning the amount and duration of your scholarship is required.

Medical Insurance:

Proof of medical insurance with coverage valid for France:

• This is for stays under six months and students aged 28 or older, regardless of study length.
• Include a photocopy and a letter from your insurance company confirming coverage while you study in France.

Travel Information:

• Flight Ticket:
  • A copy of your round-trip ticket if your studies are six months or less (with a photocopy).
  • A copy of your one-way ticket if your studies exceed six months (with a photocopy).

Additional Documents:

• OFII Form: The duly filled and signed “Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration” (OFII) form. 

Accommodation Proof (For the First 3 Months):

You can show your accommodation arrangements for the first three months of your stay in France through one of the following options (with a photocopy):

• Independent Housing: Lease agreement or title of property.
• Hotel Stay: Confirmed hotel reservation (with reference number).
• You are staying with an Individual: “Attestation d’Accueil” or attestation by solemn undertaking (including copies of your host’s ID card, utility bill, rent payment receipt, or property title).
• Institutional Accommodation: Attestation from the student residence, university, or institution providing your accommodation.