After being accepted to a French university, your next step should involve researching the France study visa requirements. After that, you must begin gathering all the necessary documents. In the following sections, we will go over everything you need to know regarding the study visa for France from India.
If you are from EEA (EU, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein) or Switzerland, you do not require a student visa to study or intern in France. Regardless of the length of your stay or your studies, you are free to access French territory. However, you must have maternity and sickness insurance and sufficient financial resources to stay in the country.
While studying in France, citizens of the EEA/EU/Switzerland may work for a maximum of 964 hours/year without a residency permit.
You can apply for a study visa for France from India after being accepted into a French institution. There are numerous French student visas, and the one you need depends on how long you intend to study in France.
1. Schengen student visa (short-stay)
If your studies will last less than three months and you are certain you will not be staying in the country any longer, you should apply for a short-stay or Schengen student visa. The Schengen student visa is free to obtain and cannot be renewed.
2. Visa to sit for entrance exams
If you need to come to France to take one or more university admission examinations, you can apply for a visa for taking entrance exams. If you pass your exam, you will be allowed to apply for a one-year renewable residence permit. For further information, you can contact the admissions office of the French institution where you want to study.
The temporary long-stay visa is a six-month temporary student visa that allows you to study in France. There is no need to apply for a residence permit separately with this student visa for France.
4. Long-stay visa
A long-stay visa or the extended-stay VLT-TS is required if you plan to study in France for over six months. The visa works as a residence permit and is valid for the duration of your program (often three years for a bachelor’s degree, two years for a master’s program, and four years for a Ph.D.). Although they are subject to various rules, Algerian natives do not need the VLS-TS. Contact your institution or the French consulate/embassy in your home country for additional information.
The entire cost of the process is determined by several criteria, including the type of French student permit, express delivery fees, biometric fees, and so on. Because fees might fluctuate depending on foreign exchange rates, it is advised to double-check the exact fees before applying.
The cost of a long-term visa for students seeking bachelor’s or master’s degrees is €99 (INR 7,582). The fee stays the same for dual course applicants and exchange students.
A student visa for France can be obtained at a French consulate in your country or through Campus France (an institution promoting higher education in France, having a local office in almost all countries worldwide). To obtain a study visa for France from India, you can first register with Campus France.
A France study visa can be obtained in multiple ways. You must first attend an interview with Campus France, after which you must submit your paperwork to VFS.
Visit campus France website. Click create your account in the “Register Online” box.
Fill out the areas for academic records, language skills, and CV+SOP. Documents, photographs, and academic records can all be uploaded. Ensure that “Complete” appears in all validation tab fields.
To have your file examined and set up an appointment, send your file number to the Campus France office allocated to you.
You must appear in person for the academic interview with the Campus France advisor. You must also take all the necessary documents, along with one set of photocopy and the receipt for the Campus France fee payment.
After the interview, you will be given an interview completion certificate.
Make an appointment with VFS (Visa Facilitation Services)-France to present your documents, photocopies, receipts, and passport after the academic interview.
Required Documents for French Student Visa Application
The France study visa requirements for Indian students are as follows –
Application form of France study visa.
Two passport-size photos.
A proof of French language proficiency (if enrolled in a French-taught course).
A valid passport and photocopies of previous visas.
Receipt for the student visa fee.
Official university enrolment or acceptance letter.
Only the applicant or a travel agent accredited by the French Embassy in New Delhi may apply for a study visa to France and collect passports from India. The application process for a French student visa is divided into two sections. The first is at the embassy, while the second is at Campus France. They may each require a different set of documents. Originals must be sent to Campus France, while photocopies must be submitted to the embassy/consulate/Visa Application Centers.
During your first year of studies, you only need your long-term student visa for France as proof of residency. You must have a medical examination and register with the local French Office of Immigration within a month of your arrival in France to verify your visa.
If you plan to stay more than a year, you must apply for a ‘titre de séjour’ or Carte de Séjour (CDS), an official residency permit in France, beginning in your second year of studies.
Working in France While Studying
The French government allows foreign students on a study visa to work 964 hours/year, or 60% of the usual working hours in France (except for Algerian nationals whose working time is limited to 50% of normal working hours in France).
With over 12 years of experience in the education sector, Harjeet specializes in study abroad counseling and visa management. She has a proven ability to guide students through university applications and visa processes, ensuring strict adherence to immigration laws. Her leadership background includes managing and mentoring teams, conducting training, and overseeing recruitment. As a Visa Manager, Harjeet excels in leading teams to efficiently process visas for multiple countries, driving operational excellence, and fostering strong partnerships with visa processing vendors.
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