A France Student Visa is offered to people interested in studying in France at a recognized institution of advanced education.
Whether or not you need a student visa for France depends largely on whether or not you are an EU national.
You do not need a French student visa if you are an EU native or citizen of the EEA, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein.
Rather, you will only need a valid passport or another travel document to study in France legitimately. However, citizens of another country will require a student visa to study in France.
Thus, this post will provide you with all you need to know about the French student visa and highlight how every international student will make the most out of their limited time if they study in France.
Types of French Student Visas:
If you intend to study in France for an extended period, different sorts of French student visas are available for you, and they include;
Schengen student visa (short-stay):
If your education will last less than three months and you are certain you will not be staying in the country any longer, you should apply for the court séjour pour étude, the short-stay, or Schengen student visa.
Once a Schengen student visa has been given, it cannot be renewed.
Visa to sit entrance exams:
Request a visa de court séjour étudiant Concours if you need to come to France to take one or more college admission tests.
Assuming you take your exam and succeed, you are then welcome to apply for a renewed, one-year residence permit.
For more information, talk to the admissions office at the French university you want to go to.Â
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Temporary long-stay visa:
It is possible to study in France for up to six months with the visa de long séjour temporaire pour études. Obtaining a residence permit in France is not necessary if you have a valid student visa to study in France.
Long-stay visa:
If you decide to study in France for more than six months, you will need a long-stay visa known as the visa de long séjour pour études or the extended-stay VLT-TS.
It is mostly awarded to people with a study term of three years for a bachelor’s degree, two years for a master’s, and four years for a Ph.D.
If you are granted this visa, it serves as a resident permit.
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How to apply for a French student visa:
Only individuals who have been accepted into a French university program are eligible for a student visa to France. A student visa can be obtained through Campus France or a French consulate in your country.
However, to obtain a student visa from some countries, you must first enroll with Campus France.
Despite all of this, when applying for a French student visa, you must satisfy the conditions and have the documents listed below:
- Minimum age of 18.
- Admission into a French institution’s recognized program is evidenced by a formal acceptance letter. This should be on official letterhead, with your full name, details about the program, and the start and end date all clear.
- Evidence of sufficient cash to support your stay in the nation. The current monthly need is €615 (US $820), which can be demonstrated by a bank statement, a letter from a guarantee, or an award, scholarship, or grant news.
- Evidence of a return ticket home: This is sometimes a printed ticket or reservation with the departure date, but it can also be a written statement of intent with the dates you want to leave.
- Evidence of health insurance (minimum €30,000, US$40,150).
- Proof of accommodation can be presented in the form of student housing confirmation, a certificate of board and lodging, or ‘attestation d’accueil’ (if you’re residing with friends or relatives).
- French language proficiency is a must have, when applying for French-taught degrees (acceptable examinations are DELF/DALF or TCF).
- English language proficiency is a must have, when applying for English-taught degrees (accepted examinations are: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or C1 Advanced).
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How long can I stay in France on a student visa?
For a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period, you will be awarded an “étudiant/étudiant-concours” short-stay visa.
The VLS-TS student visa, on the other hand, permits you to study in France for up to a year. Validation is required upon arrival in France.
Applicants for a multi-year residency permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) can extend their studies beyond the end of their current visa term.
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How long is a student Visa Processing Time In France?
A student visa to France is not subject to a defined processing schedule, however, most students may expect to get a decision within two weeks after applying.
The French consulate in your country or Campus France can issue you a student visa. Some nations require that you first register with Campus France before you can apply for a student visa.
How much does it cost to get a student visa in France?
Submission of a visa application to France requires payment of an application fee. Once the payment is completed, you will be given a receipt that must be included with the application dossier’s accompanying documents.
A student visa in France costs 50 euros, which translates to 55.60 USD or about 3829 rupees in local currency.
How to make the most of studying abroad in France:
Studying in France, for example, can be one of the best decisions you ever make. However, if you apply the following advice, your stay will be spectacular.
1. Linguistic Advantage:
Studying abroad in France necessitates fluency in the language, which is always a plus.
When travellers do not attempt to communicate in French, they find it difficult to interact with people. Thus, try and learn the language because it is much more respectable and fun.
2. New food:
Studying in France allows you to enjoy some of life’s finer pleasures.
Foreign cuisines are plentiful in Paris, and you should sample some of them. Try looking around your city for great places to enjoy traditional Middle Eastern and Asian cuisines.
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3. Take only what you need:
Packing for a year in France is one of the most difficult aspects of the travel preparation phase. The easiest way to deal with this is to begin planning as far in advance as possible.
Thus, organize your outfits, shoes, cosmetics, gadgets, and drugs into distinct categories and write down everything you think you will need. More so, you can get rid of some of the unnecessary items.
4. Don’t miss out on any sights:
One of the advantages of studying abroad in France is that you will have plenty of time to see the major tourist attractions while also exploring the country’s hidden gems.
So you do not have to jam in all the attractions right away. Do like the French do and take a break now and then to enjoy a more tranquil pace of life.
5. Public transportation is good for you:
If you want to see the country, you will have to get used to taking buses, trains, and metros if you do not have access to a car.
While studying abroad in France, you must become familiar with the country’s public transportation system. In addition to saving time and money and ensuring your safety, it will enhance your experience.
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6. Family is Everything:
While it is easy to glorify the idea of living overseas, the truth is that going to school there can be very challenging.
There are times when thoughts of missing your family will weigh you down. As a result, you must keep in touch with your parents and friends while adjusting to life abroad.
Make time for video calling and texts, but also take the time to meet people in your new neighborhood, get a tour of the area, and get to know your new surroundings.
Frequently Asked Questions on France Student Visa:
Campus France or a French consulate in your country can help you obtain a student visa (an institution promoting higher education in France, having a local office in almost all countries worldwide). A student visa in several countries requires you to first register with Campus France.
An international student in France who has a valid residency permit and a study visa is allowed to work up to 964 hours per year (about 60% of a full-time employee’s annual hours).
No matter how long you want to stay or what you’re studying, you’re welcome to enter French territory at any time. On the other hand, you must have health insurance, including maternity coverage, as well as the financial means to maintain yourself and any dependents you may have.
Students from over the world flock to France every year to study abroad since it is one of the most popular choices. After graduation, studying in France opens doors for Indian students around the world.
Conclusion:
France is one of Europe’s top study abroad destinations. To enroll in the French institution of your choosing, you must be admitted by the school and get a student visa valid for the period of your intended stay.
Furthermore, the coursework offered by most French universities is always intensive.
So, if you’re an international student in France, it is important to organize your time, get along with your professors, and join reading groups with other serious students.
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