With the stature of being a safe place to study in the European continent, France is a popular study abroad destination for the Indian students. Record says more than 4200 Indian students visited France in 2016-17 for higher education purposes. Some of the courses taken up by the Indian students include Engineering disciplines, Management Courses, Arts and Humanities, and Aviation. So, to make it easy for the students’ stay in France easy, in this article we are going to discuss about the student visa requirements to study in France.

You will get to know details about how to get a visa to study in France.

Different Types of Student Visas

Student visas to study in France vary according to the duration of stay in the country. Suppose a student is visiting the French land for a short period of time, then it can opt for a three month visa – Schengen Student Visa or Court Séjour Pour Étude. There is no requirement for applying for a residence visa along with this. Most students who study a language or any short term degree apply for this visa.

When students visit France for staying there for three to six months, then they apply for temporary non-renewable long-stay visa – Visa De Long SéjourTemporaire Pour Étude. There is no resident permit required for this. In case students are going to France for staying and studying there for more than six months, then Visa De Long SéjourÉtude is the visa they need to apply for. It is the visa for studying three years bachelors, two years masters or a four year Ph.D. programme. Students also have to apply for a residence permit which is known as VLT-TS.

Another type of visa is there for students who are travelling to France for entrance examinations. It is known as Visa De Court SéjourÉtudiantConcours. Students who clear entrance exams successfully are further eligible to receive one-year extension on residence permit.

An authorized travel agent by the Embassy of France, New Delhi is the only person where students can apply for a visa application and receive their passports. There are two different levels for visa application – Campus and Embassy Levels. The documents required are different in both.

Documents Required

Two application photocopy sets are to be submitted with below-mentioned documents:

1. If duration is more than 90 days, then a long stay application form is required.
2. Passport sized photographs (two copies).
3. Passport copy.
4. Campus France ID number printout.
5. Registration letter received from the institution.
6. A cover letter with purpose of study project and resume/CV.
7. Documents supporting funds and tuition fees data.
8. Proof students are able to spend 615 euros per month during the stay.
9. Medical insurance proof (to be valid for France).
10. Round trip document (airline ticket for duration of stay is six months or less), one way ticket document (airline ticket for duration of stay more than six months).
11.  Office Francais De Immigration Et De Integration form.
12. Residency proof for staying in France (can be lease, electricity bill, property title etc. if stay is for three months).
13. Copy of resume or CV.
14. Education certificates.

Visa Cost

Long Stay National Visa for Education is 50 euros for students who are going for bachelors or masters courses. Visa fee is needed to be paid in BNP Paribas Branch. Students need to have their respective IN numbers and fees are to be paid in favour of INSTITUT FRANCAIS EN INDE. Students must consult the embassy before paying.

Application Procedure

The first step is appearing in interview with Campus France. After that students are required to submit documents with VFS.

Students are required to log in at india.campusfrance.org and create an account by clicking register online. After that they are needed to fill the academic records, language skills and CV+SOP sections. Document and photograph upload and academic records is the next step.

File number received is to be send to assigned Campus France Office for verification and appointment request.

Students are thereafter required to appear for the academic interview with the Campus France Advisor. They should carry all documents and campus France payment receipt.

Students who have completed atleast a master’s degree or equivalent are eligible to apply for a one-time non-renewable temporary residency authorization known as APS (Authorization Provisoire De Séjour), which is valid for 12 months.