France has some of the best international schools with a reputation for high-quality education and small class sizes. France is one of the popular destinations for higher education universities. The country has 3,500 plus higher education institutes in various disciplines. International students can pursue their degrees in Engineering, Tourism and Social Work, Business Management, Culinary Arts, and Hotel Management with a France Student Visa. For international students, schools in France are available for children of all ages through nursery, primary, and secondary school. Lessons are usually taught in French and English, although schools occasionally teach in other languages. Many schools for English-speaking expat children are centred around Paris but can also be found in other favourite cities such as Bordeaux and Toulouse. Schools cater to German, Iraqi, Japanese, Spanish, Swedish, and Russian students. If you want to study abroad in France and are not from an EU or EEA country, you will need a French student visa. International students studying a full-time program that lasts more than three months, like a bachelor’s or master’s degree, need to apply for an extended-stay student visa with a residency permit (VLS-TS).
Types of French Student Visas
There are different types of student visas for studying in France. Which one you’ll need will depend on how long you will be studying in France for:
- Short stay visa (visa de court séjour pour etudes): This type of visa lets you study in France for up to three months. It is free of charge, and cannot be renewed once it has expired. This visa can be used for things like short language courses or summer school programs.
- Entrance exam visa (etudient concours): This type of visa allows you to travel to France to take an entrance exam at a university. If you pass, you can then apply for a long-stay visa.
- Extended-stay visa with residence permit (visa de long séjour etudes VLS-TS): This type of visa also acts as your residence permit, and allows you to study in France for between four and 12 months. It can be renewed through your university two months before expiry.
Requirements
The list below is the general requirement for foreign students interested in studying at France institutions.
- Visa application form
- Two passport-type photos
- Valid passport and copies of your previous visas
- Official enrolment or acceptance letter from the university
- Proof of financial means (around 615 EUR per month) to cover all your expenses during your study period
- Airline ticket/reservation showing date of departure
- Medical insurance that might cost between 300–715 EUR/year
- Documents stating the accommodation arrangement during your studies
- French language proficiency certificate (if you have enrolled in a French-taught course)
- Proof of payment of the visa fee (50–100 EUR)
- Proof of civil status (if applicable)
Aside from the list above, foreign students will need language specifications as given below
- French language proficiency – if you apply for French-taught degrees (accepted tests are: DELF/DALF or TCF)
- English language proficiency – if you apply for English-taught degrees (accepted tests are: PTE Academic, IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Duolingo or C1 Advanced)
However, If you have an acceptance letter from a French university, the French consulate won’t require additional language requirements for your study visa.
How to Apply for Student Visa
You can get a student visa either at a French consulate in your country or through Campus France (an institution promoting higher education in France, having a local office in almost all countries worldwide). Some countries require you to register first with Campus France to get a student visa.
SIMPLY FOLLOW THESE STEPS:
- Schedule an in-person interview/appointment through the official website of the French consulate in your area
- Check the online calendar that shows the available dates and hours
- Try to schedule the date of the appointment at least 90 days before your departure to France
- Pay the visa processing fee: of 50–100 EUR depending on your nationality
- Wait to receive the visa. The processing time depends on your nationality, how many students are currently applying for a visa, and so on. The sooner you start the application the better.
Cost of Getting a France Student Visa
The cost of applying for a French visa is dependent on the country of the applicant. Generally, the fees range from $50.00 to $100.00. The fees must be paid at the point of submission of the application. Applicants are entitled to a receipt upon the completion of payment. This receipt forms part of the document that will be submitted to the French Embassy during the visa application
Work Authorization for Students
The French authority allows international students on a student visa to work 964 hours per year, or 60% of the regular working hours in France. Although this work will not provide enough income for the student it will go a long way to assist the student financially throughout the duration of their studies.
Option for Visa Extension After Applicant Studentship
Bachelor degree holders can only stay in France after completing their studies if they have a work visa; students studying for Master’s degrees in France can apply for and receive a temporary residency permit – APS (Autorisation Provisioire de Séjour) for 24 months.
If you have a master’s, PhD, or post-graduate degree from a French university, you can acquire a two-year Schengen visa extension.
If a student can find work that pays more than 1.5 times the minimum salary, he or she is qualified to apply for a Work Permit, which is the first step toward obtaining a European Union Blue Card (Permanent Residence).