• France

France Student Visa 2025 – Requirements, Fees, Checklist & Application Process

  • views33 Reads
  • read time3 min Read
  • By:CANAM Group
  • Updated On:May 23,2025 03:36 PM IST

  • France issued over 430,000 record student visas during 2023-2024.
  • France offers three types of visas: short-stay visa, temporary long-stay visa, and long-stay visa, depending on your needs.
  • The success rate of the French student visa is 80-90%.

France Student Visa Guide for 2025.webp


Imagine this: Today is the day you will sit for your dream job interview. You practised all possible questions, wore formal attire, and collected all required documents. Everything is going smoothly until, it isn’t. Unfortunately, you missed that train. Oops! Now you are late for the interview and have lost the golden opportunity.

So what went wrong? Just the last thing, catching the train. The same happens for students who aspire to study abroad. For them, it is the student visa. So, aspirants, if you want to study in France, stay with us till the end and learn everything about the France student visa and secure your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in 2025.

Types of France Student Visas

France offers different types of student visas to cater to the specific needs of every individual. Here are three types of French student visas you can apply for:

1. Short-Stay Visa: This visa has a validity of 90 days and is best for pursuing short courses and language programs. It is also known as the Schengen short-stay visa, allowing one to travel only within the Schengen area. Students must note that this visa cannot be renewed. 

2. Temporary Long-Stay Visa (VLS-T Visa): You can study in France between three and six months. It is suitable for students who want to pursue intermediate-length courses and exchange programs without a residence permit. It is non-renewable.

3. Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS Visa): Most international students opt for this visa as it is valid up to the duration of the program. With this visa, international students can pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees. It acts as a residence permit.

VLS Long Stay Visa

Since you will likely pursue a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in France, let’s learn about the VLS long-stay visa. The VLS long-stay visa allows international students to pursue higher education for more than 3 months and up to 1 year, with the option to renew. The visa can be extended by applying for a multi-annual residence permit.

Here are the features of a long-stay France student visa:

1. You can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week (964 hours/year).

2. It allows you to study in France for 3 to 12 months without the need for a residence permit.

3. You can travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days.

4. You can renew it by applying for a multi-annual residence permit.

France Student Visa Checklist

To apply for a French long-stay visa, international students must fulfil certain eligibility criteria. Here are the France student visa requirements:

1. Valid Passport and Travel Documents: The passport must be valid for three months after the end of your stay and have two blank pages. Also, you need to have a signed visa application form.

2. Passport Size Photos: You must carry two passport-size coloured photographs with a white background in the required size.

3. Enrollment Proof: Need to show an offer letter from a French institution.

4. Financial Proof: Evidence that you will be able to pay for your living expenses and tuition fees while staying in France, which is ideally €615 per month. You can show this through bank statements or scholarship letters.

5. Accommodation Proof: Document showing you have secured housing in France.

6. Health Insurance: A valid health insurance is mandatory to study in France, which covers your medical expenses for the entire stay.

France Student Visa Fees

During the application process, you have to pay the visa fees. The cost of a long-stay visa in France is divided into three categories: application fee, VFS Global appointment, and mailing fee. The application fee and appointment fee are mandatory, while the mailing fee is optional. Here is how much each component will cost you:

TypeCost (EUR/USD)Cost (INR)
Application Fee504711
VFS Global Appointment272544
Mailing Fee (optional)312922

Step-by-Step Visa Application Process

After understanding the fees, let’s see the application process to apply for a French student visa with the help of Canam experts:

1. Create Account: Firstly, Canam experts will create your account on Campus France's website by filling in your personal details.

2. Upload Documents: Next, Canam experts will upload all required documents such as academic transcripts, English language test scores, CV, SOP, etc.

3. Submit the application: After that, our experts will submit the application online and pay the fees.

4. Attend Interview: Once you have submitted the application, you will be given an appointment date. You must appear for the interview with all necessary documents (original and one set of photocopies).

5. Schedule Appointment: Thereafter, Canam experts will update your application, create a France student visa account, and schedule an appointment with VFS France.

6. Attend VFS Appointment: Attend the VFS appointment, submit the documents and provide the biometrics (fingerprints and photo).

7. Wait for Decision: The processing of a French student visa usually takes 2-4 weeks, so it's advised to apply for it as soon as possible.

Post-Arrival Obligations in France

Once you have obtained your French study visa and arrived in France for your chosen intake, there are the following obligations to be fulfilled:

1. OFII Validation: Within three months of your arrival, you need to validate your visa with the French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII). Through this process, you become a legal resident in France.

2. Residence Permit: If you want to extend your stay beyond your visa’s validity, you must apply for a residence permit at your local prefecture.

Part-Time Jobs

The French long-stay visa allows you to work for up to 964 hours a year, which equals 20 hours a week. That’s just another benefit of studying in France. This allows you to gain relevant experience and gain an edge over applications while applying for a job post-studies.

The best part-time jobs for international students in France are tutor, teaching assistant, freelancer, dog walker, tour guide, and salesperson. The minimum pay for part-time jobs in France is €11.65 per hour, which is more than what students earn in many study destinations.

Tips to Apply for a French Study Visa

Following are some of the best tips to stay ahead of the game while applying for a France study visa:

1. Start as early as possible to avoid any delays.

2. Provide accurate and up-to-date information. 

3. Prepare for the visa interview

4. Seek professional assistance from a study abroad consultant.

Conclusion

So that was all about the French student visa, which is the last requirement to realise your dream of studying in France. Do check the visa type you need to apply for, since there are three types of French study visas. Once you have selected the correct visa type, you can start the application process. Make sure you collect all the required documents beforehand to avoid any delays at the last moment. To apply for your visa successfully, contact our study abroad experts who will guide you end-to-end.
 

FAQ

Here is the application process for a French student visa from India:

1. Create an account on Campus France 

2. Submit the application by uploading the required documents

3. Schedule the interview

4. Attend the interview and schedule VFS appointment

5. Appear for VFS appointment and wait for decision
The process to apply for a French student visa from Nepal is the same as that from India. 
The French student visa may take 2 to 6 weeks to process.
No, IELTS is not mandatory for a French student visa.
Yes, France offers PR to students who meet specific eligibility criteria post-studies. 
International students can apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (APS), which allows them to stay in France for one year post-studies and look for a job.
Yes, many French universities accept a gap of up to 2 years. 

Get great articles direct to your inbox

The latest news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox every month.

World class education waiting for you.

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

Curated content to keep you updated on the latest education trends, news and more.

A little effort to provide an authentic and reliable content for keen readers!!