Student Visa Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Studying in France

France as a Study Destination

France is home to some of Europe's most prestigious institutions — Sciences Po, Sorbonne, HEC Paris, École Polytechnique, and CentraleSupélec among them. It also has one of Europe's most structured student visa processes. Understanding it in advance saves months of confusion and avoids costly mistakes.

Who Needs a Student Visa for France?

Citizens of EU, EEA countries, and Switzerland do not need a visa to study in France. All other international students must apply for a French long-stay student visa (VLS-TS étudiant) for programs lasting more than 90 days. This visa functions as both your entry visa and your residence permit for the first year, which means you do not need to visit a préfecture immediately upon arrival — you validate it online within three months through the ANEF portal.

The Two Types of French Student Visas

The short-stay visa covers stays under 90 days and is suitable for summer schools, language programs, and short exchanges. The long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS) is what full degree students need. It is initially valid for one year and renewable for the duration of your program.

The Campus France Process

Most non-EU students must go through Campus France before applying to the French embassy. Campus France is a government agency that pre-screens international student applications. Students from countries with the full Campus France procedure — which includes most African countries, India, China, Brazil, and several others — must create a Campus France account online, complete their application, attend an interview at the Campus France center in their country, and receive a validation number before applying to the embassy.

Required Documents

You will need your acceptance letter from your French university, proof of tuition payment or scholarship award, proof of accommodation, proof of financial resources of at least €615 per month, a valid passport, passport-size photos meeting French specifications, health insurance documentation, your Campus France application number where applicable, and the completed visa application form. The visa fee is €50.

Timeline to Allow

Start your Campus France application three to four months before your program begins. Embassy appointment wait times can stretch four to eight weeks during busy seasons from June to August. Build in a minimum of five to six months lead time from when you receive your acceptance letter to when you need your visa in hand.

Arriving in France: Your First Three Months

Validate your VLS-TS visa on the ANEF portal within three months of arrival — failure to do so invalidates your visa. Register with your university's international student office. Open a French bank account — this is required to receive your CAF housing allowance. Apply for CAF housing benefit — international students in eligible accommodation can receive €100 to €200 per month in subsidy.

Cost of Living in France

In Paris, expect to spend €1,100 to €1,500 per month. In Lyon, Bordeaux, or Toulouse, a budget of €700 to €1,000 per month is realistic. In smaller university cities, €600 to €800 per month is often sufficient.

Working While Studying

International students on a French student visa can work up to 964 hours per year, approximately 20 hours per week. The French minimum wage applies: approximately €11.65 per hour.

France combines strong scholarship programs, low tuition fees at public universities (€2,770 to €3,770 per year for most programs), and a lifestyle that makes it one of Europe's most rewarding study destinations.