French Long-Stay Visa guide for international students

Key Takeaways

• Students need proof of €615/month, a valid admission letter, and health insurance covering €30,000 for a French Long-Stay Visa.
• Visa processing fees are €50 (Études en France) or €99, plus a €99 validation fee upon arrival in France.
• Validate your student visa online within three months of arrival to maintain legal status and student rights in France.

The French Long-Stay Visa equivalent to a Residence Permit, often called the French Long-Stay Visa or VLS-TS Etudiant, is a key immigration option for any student who wants to study in France 🇫🇷 for between four months and one year. This visa lets you live in France 🇫🇷, study at a recognized school or university, and build the foundation for potentially longer stays.

This guide offers detailed, step-by-step information on who is eligible for the French Long-Stay Visa, what documents are needed, how to apply, the costs involved, timelines, and what you must do once you arrive in France 🇫🇷. You’ll also find details on what to expect after you finish these steps, as well as helpful tips and resources.

Checklist of Required Documents for the French Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS Etudiant)

• Current passport (valid for at least three months after you leave France 🇫🇷; must be less than 10 years old)
• Completed long-stay visa application form
• Two or three recent passport photos
• Official letter of enrollment or pre-enrollment from the French school or university (often from Campus France)
• Proof of where you will live in France 🇫🇷 (rental contract or a host’s document)
• Evidence of at least €615 per month for living expenses
• Proof of health insurance with at least €30,000 coverage
• Copies of all original documents
• Legal proof of your stay in the country where you’re applying (if needed)
• Where required, translations of documents into French

Note: Some countries need more documents, such as your most recent diploma or education records. Always check the France Visas official site for your specific requirements.

Step 1: Make Sure You’re Eligible

To apply for the French Long-Stay Visa as a student, you must:

1. Be at least 18 years old.
2. Have an official acceptance letter from a recognized French university or higher education school. Some schools give you a “pre-enrollment” notice.
3. Prove you have enough money to support yourself—at least €615 per month.
4. Show you have somewhere to stay for your first three months, with a valid document.
5. Have health insurance for the entire stay, covering medical care and hospital costs up to €30,000.

Why a minimum amount? French law wants to make sure you won’t struggle to pay for rent, food, or emergencies while in the country. If you have a scholarship, a grant, or a trusted supporter who will send you money, these also count as proof.

Step 2: Understand How Long Your Visa Lasts

The French Long-Stay Visa for students can be valid from four months to one year. After this, if your studies go on, you can ask for:

• A one-year temporary student residence card (“carte de séjour temporaire étudiant”)
• A multi-year student residence permit (“carte pluriannuelle étudiant”) which can last up to four years

This allows you to stay in France 🇫🇷 legally while you finish your course or degree. Remember that you need to apply for these extensions before your original visa runs out—missing the deadline can lead to problems with your legal status in France 🇫🇷.

Step 3: Prepare and Gather All Documents

Begin collecting the required documents as soon as you get your admission letter. Keep original documents and clear photocopies.

For proving financial resources, you can show:

• Recent bank statements
• A letter proving you receive a scholarship or grant
• A legal letter from a guarantor, with proof that money will be sent to you monthly
• Pay slips (if you are working)

For proving accommodation:

• Signed rental agreement
• Letter from a host, plus their ID, if someone in France 🇫🇷 is housing you

Tip: Having your documents in French—or official translations—will speed up your application.

Step 4: Begin the Application Process (Allow 10–12 Weeks Before Your Departure)

Start the process as soon as possible, but not earlier than three months before your planned entry into France 🇫🇷. Processing times can change based on the time of year and where you are applying.

a) Once admitted, follow your country’s Campus France or Études en France instructions.
– Some countries use an online platform (Études en France) that walks you through registration and visa steps.

b) Complete the online French Long-Stay Visa application at France Visas.
– Use the “Visa Assistant” on the site for up-to-date checklists built for your case.

c) Book an appointment with your nearest French consulate or an official visa center, such as VFS Global or TLS Contact.
– These locations collect your documents and sometimes do brief interviews.

d) Attend your appointment.
– Bring all gathered documents.
– Be ready to answer questions about your study plans, funding, and accommodation.

e) Pay your fee (see below).

Step 5: Pay the Visa Application Fee

• Countries using the Études en France (EEF) online process have a €50 application fee.
• All other applicants pay a €99 visa application fee.

Note: Fees are paid when you submit your documents, and are not returned if your application is turned down. After you arrive in France 🇫🇷, an extra €99 is due during the official visa validation process (more on this in Step 7).

Step 6: Wait for a Decision

You can usually track your visa application on the consulate or VFS/TLS website. While decisions can sometimes come quickly, allow for several weeks—sometimes up to two to three months depending on your embassy’s workload.

If any problems are found or documents are missing, you may have to provide more information or fix mistakes, which can cause delays.

Tip: The busy summer months often mean longer processing times, so plan ahead and send in your application early.

Step 7: After Approval—Travel to France 🇫🇷 and Validate Your Visa

Once you receive your French Long-Stay Visa, you are ready to travel to France 🇫🇷. Your visa is already a temporary residence permit, but you MUST validate it within three months of arriving. If you do not, your stay becomes illegal, and this can affect your future plans in France 🇫🇷.

Here’s how to validate your student visa (the VLS-TS):

a) Go to the OFII (French government website for foreigners) at [administration numérique des étrangers en France – ANEF].
– You will need your passport, the visa sticker in your passport, the address where you are staying, and your date of entry.
– Pay the €99 validation fee online by credit card.

b) Keep the certificate sent to you after validation. This paper proves you are staying legally in France 🇫🇷.

Tip: Validation help can be found at the international office in most large universities or at official student welcome centers.

Step 8: While in France 🇫🇷—Know Your Rights and Duties

With the validated VLS-TS Student visa, you may:

• Study legally at any accredited school or university in France 🇫🇷
• Work part-time for up to 964 hours per year (about 20 hours per week)
• Move freely across Schengen countries (most of Europe)
• Apply for different housing aid programs or rental guarantee schemes (for example, VISALE)
• Receive certain support benefits, like family allowances

Important: You must still have enough money, proper health insurance, and a legal address in France 🇫🇷 while you are a student. Staying out of trouble with the law is essential for keeping your status.

Step 9: Extending Your Stay—Renew Your Permit Before It Expires

If you want to stay in France 🇫🇷 to keep studying after your visa ends:

• Apply for a temporary student residence permit (“carte de séjour temporaire étudiant”) or a multi-year student residence permit (“carte pluriannuelle étudiant”) at the prefecture (government office) near your home in France 🇫🇷.
• Bring your old permit, proof you have passed your courses or made progress, proof of sufficient funds, and other documents.

Apply before your visa or permit expires—this is very important.

Step 10: If Your Application Is Refused

If your visa or residence permit is denied:

• Read the reasons in the refusal letter carefully.
• In some cases, you can appeal the decision or correct missing information and reapply.
• Your school’s international office or legal advice services can guide you on what to do next.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Sending incomplete or poorly translated documents
• Not having insurance or enough money
• Missing deadlines for renewals or for visa validation in France 🇫🇷
• Not telling the authorities if you move or change schools

What Happens After You Complete All Steps?

Once you’ve followed every requirement, you can focus on your studies and enjoy your time in France 🇫🇷. If your studies continue, keep careful track of permit timelines and documents for renewal. Be sure to maintain legal status to keep your right to study and work.

If you finish your studies and want to stay longer for a job or another reason, different permits may be a better fit—check the official sites or ask your prefecture or university for info.

Extra Resources and Where to Get Help

• The France Visas official website has the latest checklists, procedural details, and updates for your profile.
• The Campus France portal guides students from many countries through every step.
• Your local French consulate or embassy’s visa section can provide country-specific instructions and support.
• University international offices are trained to help international students with paperwork and other challenges.

Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that checking official resources and asking questions before assumptions can prevent the most common visa mistakes. Referring to official guides and preparing documents as early as possible remains the best way to make your French Long-Stay Visa process smooth and stress-free.

Key Facts at a Glance

• French Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS Étudiant) allows students to study in France 🇫🇷 for 4–12 months.
• Main requirements: proof of admission to a French school, proof of at least €615/month, accommodation, health insurance.
• Apply 10–12 weeks before departure; pay €50 or €99, with another €99 validation fee after arrival.
• You must validate the visa on arrival—missing this will make your stay illegal.
• With this visa, you can study and work part-time, and enjoy rights and support as a resident student.
• Remember to apply for extensions or new permits before your visa expires.

For the safest and most up-to-date information about the French Long-Stay Visa and related permits, always consult France Visas or your local authorities. This will make sure you have the latest requirements and avoid any costly errors. With careful planning and attention to detail, your path to studying in France 🇫🇷 can be clear and successful.

Learn Today

VLS-TS Etudiant → A student-specific French Long-Stay Visa, serving as a temporary residence permit for study periods up to one year.
OFII → French Office for Immigration and Integration, responsible for validating long-stay visas after arrival in France.
Carte de séjour → French residence permit allowing foreign nationals to live legally in France beyond the validity of their initial visa.
Études en France → Online platform guiding students from select countries through French university admission and visa processes step by step.
Campus France → Official French government agency overseeing international student admissions and assisting with the visa application process.

This Article in a Nutshell

Planning to study in France? The French Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS Etudiant) is your gateway. Secure admission, gather key documents, prove financial means, and apply up to 12 weeks before departure. Upon arrival, validate your visa online promptly, ensuring you retain student rights and a legal stay throughout your academic experience.
— By VisaVerge.com

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