How to Get a Student Visa for France

Planning to study at a French university? This guide explains who needs a student visa for France, the required documents and funds, how to apply and how to validate your permission after arrival.

Before you grab your French dictionary and place it in your luggage, figure out if you need a student visa for France. If you do, start preparing all the required documents and find out everything you need to know about it.

Who needs a French student visa and which type

Figure out if you need a student visa for France: EU/EEA and Swiss citizens do not need one; other students should check nationality, study duration and existing residence rights. If you do, start preparing all the required documents.

To see if you need a student visa, use the official tool on the France-Visas website.

Visa de court séjour pour études (“Schengen” short-stay student visa) – for eligible studies of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, if your nationality requires a visa. A study-related fee exemption may apply; no residence permit is normally needed for this short stay.
Visa de long séjour temporaire pour études (VLS-T, temporary long-stay visa) – for eligible studies that take three to six months to complete. It normally requires no online validation and does not permit student employment.
Visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour étudiant (VLS-TS) – the usual route for eligible longer studies, normally valid for four months to one year. Validate it online after arrival and apply for a residence permit if you need to extend your stay beyond its validity.

Service Public’s student residence guidance explains the standard route. Special procedures apply to some students, including Algerian nationals.

Apply to a French university and get your acceptance letter

If you’re still not sure where you want to study in France, you will have to decide before you can start your student visa application process. After being accepted at a French university, you’ll get an acceptance letter required for the visa application.

Ready to study in France? Explore universities and find a programme that matches your interests and career goals.

Documents required for a French student visa

Use the personalised checklist generated by France-Visas. Depending on your circumstances, it normally includes:

Visa application form
Recent passport-type photographs in the required number and format
Valid passport and copies of your previous visas
Official enrolment or acceptance letter from the university
Travel itinerary or reservation if requested; avoid non-refundable bookings before the decision
Health-cover evidence appropriate to your visa and circumstances. Eligible students can register with French social security free of charge. Learn more about international student insurance for students studying in France.
Documents stating the accommodation arrangement during your studies
French language proficiency evidence if required for your French-taught course or visa checklist
Proof of civil status (if applicable)

Language requirements for studying in France

When you apply for a university in France, you have to provide proof of:

French language proficiency – for French-taught degrees; DELF/DALF or TCF may be accepted, depending on the institution
English language proficiency – for English-taught degrees; examples to check with the institution include PTE Academic, IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Duolingo or C1 Advanced

University admission and visa assessment are separate. The consulate or Campus France may assess your language ability and request evidence even if you have an acceptance letter.

French student visa fees and required funds

Proof of financial means: at least €615 per month for the standard student residence route. This is an immigration minimum rather than a realistic budget for every city; tuition and other expenses may be additional.

Proof of payment of the visa fee: the standard long-stay student fee is generally €50 for applicants covered by the Études en France procedure or €99 otherwise, subject to exemptions and special cases. Campus France and application-centre charges may be separate.

After arrival, the VLS-TS student validation tax is €100 under the rates effective from 1 May 2026. Campus France’s validation instructions explain this separate charge and the online process.

How and when to apply for a French student visa

You can apply for a student visa through the French consulate or its authorised application centre. Some countries require you to register first with Campus France before the visa stage. Follow France-Visas student guidance. Campus France supports the procedure; French consular authorities issue the visa.

Simply follow these steps:

Complete the France-Visas application and schedule the required appointment with the consulate or its authorised application centre
Check the online calendar that shows the available dates and hours
For a long-stay visa, applications can normally be lodged up to three months before travel. Prepare earlier and follow your local appointment rules.
Pay the visa fee and any applicable service charges in the required manner
Wait to receive the visa. The processing time depends on your application office, required checks and how many students are currently applying. The sooner you start preparing, the better; check the local processing estimate.

Validate your visa and renew your permission in France

During your first year, a validated VLS-TS étudiant normally serves as your residence permission for its validity period. Validate it online within three months of arrival; the old in-person OFII registration and routine medical-exam procedure should not be used.

If you need to stay beyond the validity of your current permission, apply for a student residence permit or renewal online, normally between four and two months before expiry. The permit is called a carte de séjour or titre de séjour.

Working while studying in France

Work rights depend on your nationality and immigration status. EU/EEA and Swiss students can work without the non-EU student-permit hour limit.

Most non-EU students holding eligible student residence permission may work up to 964 hours per year, approximately 60% of the annual legal working time, without a separate work authorisation within that limit. Algerian students follow different rules, including prior work authorisation and a 50% limit. CampusFrance’sworkguidance explains the distinctions.

You may also find work opportunities within your university. If you don’t want work to affect your studies, consider working during the holidays between semesters, within the applicable annual limit.

Universities to consider in France

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