Everything international students need to know about student visas in France

What type of visa is required?

For courses of three months or less - Visa de court séjour pour etudes or a short-stay visa.

For courses of three to six months - Visa de long séjour temporaire pour etudes or the temporary long-stay visa.

For courses longer than six months - Visa de long séjour etudes or long-stay visa. Students will also need to apply for a residence permit to extend the visa past the first year. 

How much does a visa application cost?

If you are coming from a country with EEF procedure it will cost you €50; students from any other country will need to pay €99.

What are the language requirements?

All documents that are not in English or French must be translated into French. If you have applied for a French-taught course you will need to take a French language test as part of your university application, or an English language test for English-taught courses. 

What money do I need to have in order to prove that I can support myself?

You will need to prove that you can support yourself while in France (about €600 a month).

Are there any additional charges?

Students will need to show that they can fund their travel to France and pay for medical insurance, which can range from €300 to €700 a year. 

Can I work while studying?

International students can work while in France, but only in part-time positions equating to 964 hours a year.

What are the post-study work options?

Students may stay in France for up to one year to look for work. Once a job has been found students must apply for a work permit. Indian students can also apply for a visa lasting up to five years if they have graduated from a master’s or PhD course.

When should I apply for my student visa?

The processing time will depend on your nationality but it is advised to start the process as soon as possible.