How do you get a student visa for France?

You are a student hoping to take a course in France? Depending on your country of origin, the duration of your studies in France, and their context, you will have to get a Student visa. From a short-stay Schengen visa for brief courses to a long-stay visa and the Campus France procedure for degree programmes, each situation calls for a different visa application process.

The process can seem complex at first glance, but once you know which category applies to you, each step becomes more straightforward.

Here is a step-by-step guide covering everything you need to know about getting a student visa for France.

Who needs a long-stay visa to study in France?

European Union, European Economic Area (EU+Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and Swiss citizens can generally study in France without a student visa. Other nationals may need a visa depending on their nationality and the purpose and duration of their stay.

For higher education, France-Visas distinguishes between training courses lasting no more than three months and courses lasting more than three months. A course lasting more than three months generally requires a long-stay visa if you are not exempt from the visa requirement.

Before you apply for your visa, check your individual situation using the France-Visas visa wizard.

Which visa should I apply for?

The France student visa you should apply for depends primarily on the duration and purpose of your stay, as well as your nationality.

1. If you plan to study for more than three months in France, you will generally need a long-stay visa if you are not exempt from the visa requirement. For higher education studies lasting up to one year, this is generally a VLS-TS (meaning in French “visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour”). It is valid for four months to one year and must be validated after you arrive in France.
   
2. If you want to continue your studies in France after the validity of your VLS-TS, you will generally need to apply for the appropriate temporary residence permit or multiannual student residence permit before your current right to stay expires.
   
3. If you want to study in France for a temporary period and are certain that you will not extend your stay beyond the validity of your visa, a VLS-T (temporary long-stay visa) may apply. France-Visas identifies this category in particular for people who are certain they will not extend their stay beyond the visa's validity.
   
4. If you are a doctoral student, your situation is different from that of a standard student. The Études en France procedure does not apply to doctoral studies. Depending on your situation, you may apply for the appropriate researcher or talent visa after admission. Check the applicable requirements before starting your visa application.
   
5. If you are a trainee for a French company, you may need a long-stay visa with the mention "stagiaire" (trainee).
   
6. If you plan to study for less than three months in France, you may need a short-stay visa, depending on your nationality and the purpose of your course. If you are invited to an entrance test by a French institution, you will need to apply for a short-stay visa with the mention “étudiant concours” (exam student). This visa allows a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

The exact visa category should always be checked on France-Visas, as the applicable rules depend on your nationality and circumstances.

Do I need to apply through Campus France for a student visa?

First of all, check if you need a visa using the France-Visas visa wizard.

1. If you are a student residing in one of the countries or territories covered by Études en France, the Campus France platform will guide you through the relevant administrative process. Depending on your situation, this can include your application to a French higher education institution and the steps required before the visa application. The procedure currently covers 73 countries and territories.
   
2. If you are not covered by the Études en France procedure, you generally need to be accepted or pre-enrolled at a French university, higher education institution or other eligible establishment before you can obtain a visa. France-Visas states that you must provide proof of enrolment at the higher education institution that has accepted you.

Admission and pre-enrolment requirements depend on the programme and your situation. The relevant French institution should confirm the admission procedure before you start the visa application process.

How do I apply for a student visa for France?

For students following the Études en France procedure, follow the process on the Campus France Études en France platform.

For students applying from their country of residence to the French consulate or the relevant visa application centre:

• Fill out an application form on the France-Visas website and provide the required supporting documents.
• Book a visa appointment with the consulate or an approved external service provider.
• During the appointment, submit your application and supporting documents and pay the applicable visa fee.
• Follow the instructions provided by the consulate or visa application centre to receive or collect your passport.

France-Visas describes five main stages: checking whether a visa is required, completing the online application, making an appointment, submitting the application and following the application until the passport is returned.

Depending on your country of residence, visa applications may be handled by an external provider such as VFS Global, TLScontact or another authorised organisation. The provider available to you depends on the country where you submit your application.

Which documents do I need to apply for a French student visa?

The documents required for a student visa application depend on your nationality, programme and personal circumstances. The official France-Visas visa wizard provides the checklist applicable to your situation.

Documents may include:

• Your passport
• Three recently taken passport photographs
• Your visa application form completed, dated and signed
• The France-Visas receipt
• Proof of enrolment or pre-enrolment at a higher education institution
• Documents relating to your accommodation in France
• Proof of sufficient financial resources
• Proof of legal residence in your country of application, if applicable
• Any additional documents required for your particular visa category

For applications submitted from August 1, 2026, applicants for a long-stay student visa must generally provide proof of financial resources corresponding to at least €877.50 per month.

Depending on your situation, you may also need to provide proof of accommodation in France. The exact documents required are listed in the France-Visas visa wizard.

Check the France-Visas student visa requirements before you apply for a visa.

How much does a student visa for France cost?

A France student visa generally costs €50 for applicants covered by the Études en France (EEF) procedure and €99 for other applicants. Some situations may qualify for a different fee or an exemption.

Check the applicable fee on France-Visas when you apply for your visa, as fees and exemptions may change.

Do I need travel insurance for a France student visa?

Whether you need travel insurance for your studies in France depends on the type and duration of your stay.

For short stays of 90 days or less, travel insurance is generally mandatory when a visa is required. The policy must cover emergency medical and hospital expenses and medical repatriation, with a minimum coverage of €30,000, and must be valid throughout the Schengen Area for the duration of your stay. Some travellers may be exempt from this requirement depending on their nationality or circumstances.

For a long-stay student visa, the situation is different. Travel insurance is not simply a blanket requirement for every student for the entire duration of their studies. Students staying in France under the long-stay student system are generally covered by the French healthcare system once they meet the applicable registration requirements. France-Visas states that registration with French Social Security is free and mandatory for non-European students under 28.

Even when long-term travel insurance is not required for the entire study period, appropriate coverage can still be useful during the transition between your arrival in France and your registration with the French healthcare system. It can also provide assistance and repatriation cover that is separate from French Social Security.

If you need travel insurance for your visa or want additional protection during your journey to France, choose a policy that matches the requirements applicable to your visa and the period you need to cover.

AXA include coverage designed for Schengen visa applicants. Learn more about your Schengen visa insurance options and/or get a free quote.

We do our best to provide the most accurate and up to date information, however, the French consulate in your country, depending on the circumstances, can change the visa regulations at any time. Because of that, we cannot be made responsible for these changes. Please contact the nearest French consulate to find out the exact regulations at the time you apply for a visa.

What happens after arriving in France?

If you receive a VLS-TS, you must validate it after arriving in France.

A VLS-TS must be validated online within three months of your arrival in France. The procedure is carried out online through the French administration's ANEF platform.

The validation currently requires payment of a €50 tax.

You can complete the process through the Administration numérique pour les étrangers en France (ANEF).

This validation is an important step because the VLS-TS acts as a residence permit for its period of validity. If you intend to remain in France beyond the validity of your VLS-TS, you must apply for the appropriate residence permit before your current right to stay expires.

Related topics

• Visa for France
• France work visa

France Student Visa: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements to apply for a France student visa?

You generally need to have been accepted or pre-enrolled at an eligible French higher education institution and provide the documents required for your situation. These may include proof of admission, accommodation and sufficient financial resources.

Students covered by the Études en France procedure must also complete the relevant Campus France steps before applying for their visa.

How much money do I need for a France student visa?

For applications submitted from August 1, 2026, students applying for a long-stay student visa must generally provide proof of financial resources of at least €877.50 per month. The amount is intended to demonstrate that you have sufficient resources to support yourself during your stay in France.

The exact documents accepted as proof of financial resources can vary depending on your situation. Your France-Visas visa wizard will indicate the supporting documents required for your application.

Is the France student visa equivalent to a residence permit?

A VLS-TS is a visa equivalent to a residence permit for its period of validity. It is generally issued for four months to one year and must be validated within three months of your arrival in France.

A VLS-T does not have the same equivalence and is intended for specific temporary situations.

Can I stay in France after my student visa expires?

Yes, but not simply because you previously held a student visa. If you want to remain in France after your VLS-TS expires, you must generally apply for the appropriate student residence permit before your current right to stay expires. Depending on your studies and circumstances, this may be a temporary or multiannual residence permit.

If you are continuing your studies, make sure you start the renewal process early enough to avoid a gap in your legal right to stay in France. The procedure and requirements depend on your situation and the type of residence document you hold.

How long does France student visa processing take, and when should I apply?

Visa processing times vary depending on the consulate, the period of the year, your nationality and your individual circumstances.

France-Visas recommends checking the procedure applicable to your situation and allowing sufficient time for the appointment and processing of your application.

Check the France-Visas website and the French consulate or visa application centre responsible for your place of residence for current information. Apply as early as possible once you have the documents required for your application, as appointment availability and processing times can vary.

Does a French language programme have to be a year long to qualify for a long-stay visa?

No. The duration and purpose of your programme, as well as your nationality and individual circumstances, determine which visa category applies.

A French language programme lasting more than three months may require a long-stay visa, while a shorter programme may fall under the short-stay rules. Check France-Visas before submitting your application.

Can international students work in France?

Students holding a valid student visa or residence permit may generally work in France within the applicable legal limits.

The general limit is 964 hours per year, corresponding to 60% of the annual working time in France. Specific rules apply to some categories of students. Check the current rules before starting employment.