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Student Visa France: Requirements, Fees, Success Rate
Edited By Sareena Kaur Sethi | Updated on Aug 09, 2024 12:42 PM IST
France is among the highly regarded study-abroad destinations among international students in recent times. As the country stands as an epitome of standard living, beautiful scenery, luxury brands, and top-ranking universities. Hence, it has largely led to an inflow of aspirants who are looking to gain a French student visa from India. A France student visa will ensure that international students can study, work, and live in the country for a particular duration of time as per their respective courses.
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Before starting the application process, one should be aware of the types of France student visas for Indian students. There are mainly 3 types of France student visas that one can opt for: a short-stay visa which is mainly meant for courses that are completed within 3 months, and a long-stay visa for a duration of 6 months or more. The most commonly opted one is the long-stay student visa for France as the majority of courses offered in the country are for 6 months or more.
To apply for any of the above-mentioned visas one also needs to be aware of the specific France student visa requirements that an international student needs to adhere to while applying for it. Some of the common prerequisites include that the candidate must be above the age of 18 years, should have already received an acceptance letter from a French university, provide required supporting documents, and much more.
Furthermore, the general France student visa processing time for an international student is anywhere between 2 weeks to 1 month. Therefore, one should plan the arrival into the country and student visa application processing time in advance and ensure it matches with the semester beginning of their prospective degree in a French university accordingly. The approximate France student visa fee for Indian students is around EUR 50 (Rs. 4,572) which is considerably less compared to other foreign countries' student visas.
Some of the top universities in France for International students as per the QS World University Rankings 2025 include Université PSL, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Sorbonne University, Université Paris-Saclay, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, and many more. As the acceptance rate in these universities is pretty high for Indian students they’ll get in easily and will have to start with the process of applying for a France Study Visa from India. Read the article to learn more about the France student visa, its application process, eligibility criteria, requirements, fees, and much more.
Read more: Study in France 2024
Types of France Student Visa for Indian Students
The most common and preferred visa type among international students for pursuing their education in France is the long-stay student visa in France.
As this student visa type is meant for long-term purposes hence, all international students opt for it as their degree programme is between a duration of 2 to 4 years. However, there are a total of 3 more categorisations for student visas in France that are mentioned below for an easier understanding.
Short-Stay Visa: This visa type is mainly opted by those international students who want to pursue courses in France that are of short duration like 3 months or less. For such training or short-span courses, you are considered for short-stay visas in France as an international student.
Long-Stay Visa: These visas are issued to students admitted into courses that exceed 3 months or 6 months. Hence, if you have opted for a course that gets completed within the given duration you can opt for a long-stay student visa France with no further formalities after arriving in the country.
Long-Stay Visa as Residence Permit (VLS-TS): Then comes the most important and sought-after type of student visa for France among non-European students who get enrolled in programmes of more than 6 months. This student visa must be validated after arriving in the country and can be used as an equivalent to a France student residence permit for courses of 1 year or more. This particular visa type is used for internships, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral studies by international students.
Also Read: PR in France for Indian and International Students
France Student Visa Requirements
There are various requirements that an Indian student needs to fulfill if planning to pursue their higher education in France. Now, these prerequisites are not only limited to adhering to the eligibility criteria given the by university of your choice but are also associated with the France student visa application process. Hence, it is important to note and understand the various requirements listed by the official country website for different purposes.
France Student Visa Documents Checklist
There are some significant documents that one must ensure to attach to their France student visa application. Therefore, we have enlisted some of the most important documents that are an integral part of the France student visa requirements for Indian students.
Acceptance Letter from a French educational institution
Valid Passport and its copy
Academic transcripts and Certificates
Bonafide Certificate (in case of semester exchange programme)
CV or Resume
Duly filled and signed long-stay student visa France
Visa-size photographs/Passport-size photographs
Proof of funds to study in France
Birth or marriage certificates (if required)
Proof of medical insurance
A copy of the round-trip ticket
Proof of residency
Also Read: Important Documents to take for Studying Abroad
France Student Visa Financial Requirements
While applying for the France student visa from India one needs to ensure that they have sufficient proof of funds to showcase that they can finance their education and the cost of living in France for Indian students.
One needs to portray the first year of tuition fees and a minimum of EUR 430 liquid assets per month as per their planned duration of stay. It is an essential prerequisite to apply for study in France because these funds validate your ability to afford the cost of living in France. One needs to have the bank statements of the last 3 months ready in the name of their sponsor or their own account.
Another means of support is through “Attestation d’accueel” which basically means that an international student is being hosted by a family already living in France hence, in such a scenario one will have to showcase funds as low as EUR 215 per month as the cost of their living. Moreover, some of the other acceptable proof of funds can be sponsorship letters, income drafts, property papers, bank statements, education loans, scholarship letters, etc.
Also Read: Financial Documents Required for Studying Abroad
English Language Proficiency for France Student Visa
One of the most important France student visa requirements includes the candidates’ ability to conversate and understand a common mode of communication i.e. English. Hence, it becomes essential for international students to attempt and score reasonable marks in English Language proficiency exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc.
A minimum C1 level of English language is required for admission as well as a French student visa application. Although the requirements for the same vary depending on different universities and courses. Therefore, an international student should check that on the university’s official website before applying or starting with the application process.
France Student Visa Fees
There a visa processing fees that international students need to pay for submitting the application form for a French student visa. Hence, as per the official data, the approximate France student visa fees for Indians are EUR 50 (Rs. 4,572). The details for the same should be verified by the French Embassy for more accurate insight as the France student visa fees once paid will not be refunded.
France Student Visa from India Application Process
After ensuring that you have fulfilled all the requirements for a France student visa one needs to start with the application process. Therefore, we have created a France student visa process with step-by-step information below:
Step 1: Online Registration
An international student needs to register at CampusFrance. Org and fill in the application form available there for France student visa and submit essential documents such as academic transcripts, resumes, LORs, etc. After setting the appointment date and paying the France student visa fees, one needs to wait for the interview.
Step 2: Academic Interview
This is one of the most important process rounds of a France student visa where one needs to be present physically for the interview with the original as well as photocopied documents. During the France student visa interview, you’ll be asked about your purpose and goal for visiting and studying in the country while cross-checking your economic and social background.
Step 3: France Student Visa Application and Appointment Scheduling with VFS
In this step, complete your France student visa application online, and create your France-Visas account. One can now schedule an appointment with VFS-France and submit one document & original passport while getting registered for biometric data with VFS centers.
Step 4: Verify the Long-Stay Student Visa for France
Within the initial three months of your arrival in France, register and validate your visa.
Doing this will ensure that you are registered as a legal resident of France. After doing so one needs to apply for a student resident permit 2 months before the expiry of their student visa in case they want to extend their stay.
France Study Visa Success Rate 2024
There has been a prominent and increasingly high success rate for France student visas among Indian students in recent years. Being a non-European citizen it is essential for students coming from any other country in the world to apply for a France study visa in order to pursue their education in the country.
As per the latest updates, France is launching a new initiative due to which as high as 30,000 Indian students will obtain a Schengen student visa which is for a duration of 5 years by 2030. The main aim is to promote an exchange of culture, and knowledge through the widespread usage of this France student visa as per the French President Macron.
Another scheme that has led to the huge success and rise of the France Student Visa is the launch of the Classes Internationales programme by the French government especially for international students. As per this programme one can come to the country and learn the French language for almost a year and can apply for any degree course after the completion of the same. Hence, all of these factors have led to a massive France study visa success, and a great number of Indian visas are approved every year for study, and work purposes.
France Student Visa Application Centres: VFS Global
One needs to be aware of the various Visa application centers for obtaining and submitting a France student visa application in India. Therefore, we have mentioned some of the major city branches below for your reference:
France student visa from India: VFS Visa Centres
New Delhi 2/50 E Shantipath – Chanakyapuri, Delhi 110021 Tel: (11) 43 19 61 00 | Mumbai Wockhardt Towers, East Wing, 5th Floor |
Bangalore 21, Palace Road - Vasanthnagar, Bangalore 560 052 | Puducherry 2, rue de la Marin, Pondicherry 605 001 |
Kolkata 21 C Raja Santosh Road – Alipore, Kolkata 700 027
| Chandigarh Gate No 3, Unit No B 209, IInd Floor Office, Block B, Plot No 178-178A Industrial & Business Park, Phase 1, 160002 Chandigarh Tel: (022) 6786 6013 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How to get a student visa for France?
Obtaining a student visa for France requires one individual to follow some crucial application steps and adhere to the eligibility criteria. These steps may include collecting all the necessary documents beforehand, submitting the application form for a France student visa, booking an appointment for an interview, and paying the processing fee along the way.
2. How much money do you need for a student visa in France?
The minimum amount that an international student needs to display to obtain a France student visa successfully is EUR 430 per month and the tuition fee of first year. This cost determines your ability to pay for your tuition fees as well as the cost of living in France.
3. Is IELTS required for a France student visa?
Yes, IELTS is an essential prerequisite to applying for a France student visa as it tests your ability to communicate in a common language i.e. English. All the universities have different criteria when it comes to English language proficiency therefore, one needs to check the eligibility requirements carefully before starting with the application process.
4. What is the success rate for a student visa in France?
The success rate for France student visas has been pretty high for Indian or international students in the past few years. It is because of this, that a large proportion of students from different countries are applying to study in France which offers easier student visa, affordable tuition fees, lower cost of living, and plenty of work opportunities.
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Nov 19, 2024
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