Student Visa in France: Eligibility, Requirements, Interviews

Freshly baked baguettes, mime artists plying their trade and cute cafes with a backdrop of the Eiffel Tower are probably things that come to mind when someone mentions going to France. But haven’t you been curious about the prospect of witnessing everything we mentioned above while you study in France? For that to happen, one must ensure all their requirements for student visa in France are met, and we want to help you out. We at amber have broken down the entire process into easy-to-understand parts so you do not miss out on any nitty-gritty details.

‍Why study in France?

Each individual might have a different reason to study in France. For some, it might just be the easy access to the delicious authentic croissants! But the tangible benefits of opting to study in the country definitely hold a lot of weight. 

Not only are the courses on offer affordable, but the local transportation in European countries such as France is excellent and cheap. The country is a thriving centre for business and finance and is a continental leader amongst its EU peers. 

Student visa in France is quite a straightforward process, and the student visa application in France is a no-nonsense procedure that will land you at the heart of the EU. So before you even land, check out our comprehensive guide to studying in France.

‍Types of French Student Visas

There are essentially two types of student visas in France:

1. Short Stay student visa 

A short-stay student visa lets foreign nationals stay within France for a brief period of time for up to 3 months. An advantage is that the short-stay visa remains valid whether it is a single trip or if you travel to France multiple times within the allotted three months. 

Cost: €80 for applying

Documents required:

• Passport (issued in the last ten years)
•  Short-stay visa application form
•  Three standardised passport-sized photographs
•  Evidence of sufficient finances
•  Proof of insurance covering health-related bills
•  Evidence of the reasons behind the trip and stay
•  Transit proof and internship agreements if that is the reason you are travelling to study in France.

2. Long Stay student visa (VLS-TS) 

The VLS-TS is one of the main student visa in France requirements to be fulfilled for you to begin your educational journey within the country. This visa must be validated within the first three months of your short stay in France, and it remains valid for up to a year after its validation. These student visa in France financial requirements include a payment of €50 to submit your application. 

Cost: €50

Documents Required 

• Passport (issued in the last ten years)
• Long-stay visa application form
• Two standardised passport-sized photographs
• OFII form.

3. Temporary Residence Card or Multiannual Residence Card for students

The Temporary residence or multiannual residence student card can be issued after the VLS-TS term is completed. The temporary residence card remains valid for 1 year after it gets issued, and the multiannual residence card remains valid for 2-4 years after it gets issued.

Cost: €99 in addition to the €225 administrative cost.

Documents Required 

• Passport (issued in the last ten years with French long-stay visa stamped on it)
• A birth certificate obtained in the home country
• Two standardised passport-size photographs
• Proof of residence in France, no older than 6 months
• Proof of income
• Proof of medical insurance. 

Student visa in France Eligibility Criteria

The basic eligibility criteria for your student visa application to France is that you have to be 

1. Over 18 years of age, 

2. A valid passport and 2 passport-size photographs

3. Official letter of acceptance from your university in France

4. Proof of monetary means and capacity

5. Airline tickets with dates of departure and arrival clearly demarcated

6. Medical insurance that costs around €300 - €800

7. Documents signifying your place of accommodation when arriving in France

8. Evidence of payment of student visa in France financial requirements’ payment

9. If you have applied for a French course, you also need to submit French proficiency proof.

Student Visa in France Application Process

Student visa in France has a specific step-by-step procedure to be followed. The process remains different for the short-stay visa and then the imminent long-stay visa. The VLS-TS or the long-stay visa is of more importance if you are an international student wondering how to apply for student visa in France.

1. Register online

Head over to the Campus France website, an entity belonging to the Embassy of France and fill out the Campus student visa in France requirements in the form. Campus France will review your application and provide you with an appointment date. Pay the fee.

2. The interview

With all your academic documents and files in order, you must appear for an interview with a Campus France advisor. There, you would have to provide the advisor with the reasons and intentions behind your application. This interview is an extensive process to ensure you have everything in check and you do not fumble during the actual student visa interview. The advisor will judge you based on your interview and give you feedback at the end of it. 

3. Online visa application

After the go-ahead for the advisor interview, go to the official French visa page to finish your online application. After creating the France Visas account, you would have to schedule an interview with VFS -France to submit all the documents and photographs. All student visa in France applicants have to go to a registered VFS centre to submit their biometric data.

4. Validate your VLS-TS

You need to validate your long-term stay visa in France within the first three months of your time in France. 

What are the language requirements to study in France?

One of the utmost important French student visa requirements is your proficiency in the French language. And it makes sense. Going to a new country can be a daunting task, especially if they speak a tongue you are not familiar with. Most universities have a specific student visa in France requirements in the language sector, which are as follows:

1. DELF certification - Most public universities in France usually require the B2 (intermediate) certificate from Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Franḉaise” which is carried out by France Education International and tests non-native speakers on their French fluency.

2. TCF-DAP - The Test de Connaissance du Français pour la demande d’admission préalable is a test conducted by the French Education ministry to test international students on their French competency. Students can take this test if they don’t have the DELF B2 certification or the DALF certification.

3. DALF - The Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française C1 certificate is required by a few universities, is conducted by France’s Centre international d'études pédagogiques and is another alternative to the DELF B2 or TCF-DAP.

How to get a residence permit in France?

If you’re an international student studying in the country for a while and if you wish to settle in France, you will need to obtain a residence permit or a residence card. There are certain France student visa requirements that need to be met and some administrative procedures that need to be completed.

There are two French resident permits:

1. Carte de Séjour: This is for non-EU residents who wish to apply for residency in France. One needs to apply for this within their first year of stay or upon arrival. Initially, you will receive the Carte de Séjour temporaire, which is temporary and lasts for a year. After that you need to renew it and get the La carte de séjour pluriannuelle - a multi-year residency which is valid for up to 4 years. Here’s how you can obtain your Carte de Séjour:

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1. Apply within two months of arrival. 
2. If you are on a VLS-TS student visa in France, then you need to apply for your Carte de Séjour two months before your VLS-TS expires. 
3. Make an appointment at the nearest prefecture where you need to submit some documents such as a valid passport, a VLS-TS student visa in France, a birth or marriage certificate, address proof, medical certificate issued by OFII, health insurance proof, and 3 ICAO-standard photos.
4. Pay €225 for the taxes.

2. Carte de Résident: This is popularly known as Carte de Résident de 10 ans as it is valid for up to 10 years. You are eligible for it either automatically or under the discretion of French authorities when you’re renewing your Carte de Séjour. You are eligible to receive the Carte de Résident if you are automatically:

1. Married to a French citizen for 3+ years.
2. A child below 21 who is dependent on your French guardian.
3. You wish to retire in France.

3. Carte de Résident Permanent: How to get a residence permit in France? Obtain the Carte de Résident Permanent, which lets you work and live in the country indefinitely. Although this French residence permit lets you stay indefinitely, you will still need to renew it every 10 years.

It is tough to get the Carte de Résident Permanent because of its eligibility criteria:

1. You Can only apply for permanent residency if your 10-year resident card or your 10-year EU long-term resident card is expiring.
2. You can get it automatically if you are above 60 and have all the designated documents.

The document requirements remain roughly the same as the Carte de Séjour. Now that you know how to achieve your long-term goals, you must also be curious about where to live when you get your student visa in France. Well, explore the best places to live in France before you go!

Student Visa in France Interview Preparation

For your student visa in France, the interview is très important, as the French would say. The interview process exists exclusively in comparison to the other student visa in France requirements. The interview shows how genuinely you wish to go to the US to pursue your further education and gain knowledge. With its weight so abundantly clear, we realise that some tips and tricks, as well as answers to a few common interview questions, can come in handy.

1. Come Prepared

That sounds like a no-brainer, we know. But being prepared is an underrated skill for anything you pursue in life. Research thoroughly the student visa application France process, the requirements, and the specific documents needed for your student visa. Understand the purpose of your visit and the course you will be pursuing, and have all the necessary information ready.

2. Dress professionally

First impressions are the most important in official interviews. Therefore, dressing appropriately and neatly can go a long way in establishing your strong grip in the entire situation.

3. Practise your French

While it is not a prerequisite to know how to speak French before you apply, it is certainly a recommendation. This will demonstrate your commitment to studying in France and your ability to communicate effectively

4. Confidence and Politeness

Be confident when you go into the interview; make eye contact and talk clearly. Be kind and respectful at all times during the interview to demonstrate your dependability and responsibility.

5. Display financial stability

Students must prove they have the resources to support themselves while they are studying in France. To prove that you have the financial resources to cover your expenses, gather all the appropriate financial documentation, such as bank statements, sponsorship letters, or scholarship letters. These are essentially student visa in France financial requirements. 

6. Follow-up after the interview

Consider writing the interviewer a thank-you note or email following the interview to express your appreciation for their time and thoughtfulness. This small gesture can make a good impression and demonstrate your expertise.

That wraps up our student visa in France guide for 2024. With all that you need to know about the application process, you can confidently go ahead and prepare for your studies abroad. Living in a new country, you would have a lot of things to worry about, so check off one of these worries from your list by reading our guide on the cost of living in France as a student.

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