study visa in france

Trying to get a French visa? The first thing you are going to need is a french visa application template. This is because it will let you have a better idea of how to compile all the required documents, documents which will convince the French Embassy or consulate to issue you with your visa.

To study in France, the best place to start is our partner institution Touriago. They are an accredited official representative of the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. Their main office is based in Paris and they have international offices in UK, Morocco and Italy. It provides a wide range of study options for foreign students: language courses, bachelor degrees, master degrees, Doctorates and other continuing education programs.

Going to study in France for students, there are many exciting things to discover and many interesting places to visit in France.

Study in France

France is an ideal place to study abroad. It has a reputation for being one of the most prestigious places in the world, and it’s no surprise that people from all over want to study there. The country is known for its wealth of cultural, historical and natural amenities, as well as its diverse population and international community.

The University of Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV) is one of the most competitive universities in France. It’s located in the Latin Quarter of Paris, and it has a long history dating back to 1257. The university offers programs in a wide range of subjects including law, science, literature and linguistics. Students can also choose from a variety of majors such as criminology or political sciences.

If you decide to study abroad in France, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for cultural enrichment such as attending plays at famous theaters like Théâtre du Châtelet or catching a concert at Salle Pleyel (which has hosted artists such as Elton John). You’ll also find many sites throughout Paris that are worth visiting including Notre Dame Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) or Place de la Concorde which features an obelisk from Egypt placed on top of an Egyptian sphinx

Study visa in France

The French Government has introduced a new visa for international students. The visa allows you to study in France for up to three years and it is renewable for an additional three years. It is designed for those who wish to pursue their studies in France and is not applicable for post-graduate research or doctoral studies.

To apply for a study visa, you must have received an offer from a recognized institution in France (university/college). The application process involves submitting your application to the French Embassy with all required documents and paying the fee of €100 (or €185 if your application is made after May 1st). After this, you will receive an acceptance letter from the university which will be sent back to the French Embassy with payment of another €150 (or €285 if your application was made after May 1st).

France Student visa for Students over 18

This is a type of French Student visa is for students that wish to enroll at a public or private educational institution in France. Their studies must be related to the Diplomas previously obtained or with the current professional occupation of the applicant.

In order to be eligible for this French long stay study visa, you must have been accepted by a higher education institution in France. If you are just taking entrance exams or going through interviews, then you will have to apply for a French short-stay study visa.

The countries of the list of CEF-procedure may submit their application online on the Etudes en France portal:

Algeria	Argentina	Benin
Brazil	Burkina Faso	Burundi
Cameroon	Chile	China
Colombia	Comoros	the Republic of the Congo
South Korea	Ivory Coast	Egypt
United States	Gabon	Guinea
India	Indonesia	Iran
Japan	Kuwait	Lebanon
Madagascar	Mali	Morocco
Mauritius	Mauritania	Mexico
Peru	Senegal	Democratic Republic of Congo
Russia	Senegal	Singapore
Taiwan	Togo	Tunisia
Turkey	Vietnam

France Study visa for Students under 18 (mineur scolarisé)

Students under 18 who wish to continue their studies in France in a public or private primary, secondary or higher education establishment, will need to apply for this kind of French student visa, the maximum validity of which is 11 months.

This is a visa only for foreign children, whose parents do not reside in France.

France Au Pair Visa

Foreigners aged 17-30 who wish to temporarily stay with a family in France in order to be able to study French for more than three months, can obtain a long-stay study visa, which grants them with work protection in France and access to the National Health Insurance.

The main requirement from the applicant and the host family is an au pair placement agreement, which must be submitted to the DIRECCTE by the host family. The agreement must indicate:

• The services that the applicant will be required to provide to the family.
• Applicant’s working hours (five hours maximum per day).
• Details about applicant’s board and lodging.
• Applicant’s weekly rest days (one rest day per week including one compulsory Sunday a month).
• The jointly agreed amount of pocket money the applicant will receive from the host family.

France Student Trainee or Intern Visa

The French Student Trainee visa is for students who want to do a professional work placement in France. The main condition for this category is that the applicant must be part of one of the following:

• A training counter organized in their country of residence.
• An EU cooperation program.
• An intergovernmental scheme in the fields of education, youth or culture.

France visa for language assistants

Only single persons can apply for this type of visa and not families, due to the cost of living in France and the monthly paid allowance, which does not fully cover the financial needs of a family abroad. Remember if any family members wish to join you, they will have to apply for a visitor long-stay visa.

France Student Visa Application

The application for a France long-stay study visa will be submitted at the French consulate or embassy in your country of residence. You are strongly advised to apply for this visa at most 3 months and at least 3 weeks prior to the intended travel date.

To complete the application process for a France study visa, complete the following steps:

Check if you need to apply for a France Student visa

Whether you need a France long-stay Study visa or not, it all depends on your nationality and the part of France you wish to visit. There are some categories of internationals who wish to enter France under work purposes and remain for more than three months that do not need to obtain a French Student visa in order to be permitted to stay.

Every other person will have to obtain a French long-stay student visa in order to be permitted to enter and remain in the country.

Collect the French Student visa documents

If you are applying for long-stay study visa then you should keep in mind that the most important part of the whole application process is collecting the standard French visa required documents, which later you will have to submit at the French embassy or consulate in your home country during an interview with a consular officer.

The required documents for the France student visa are:

• Completed French Student Visa Application Form. Fill-in the form completely and provide correct information about yourself.
• Two recent photographs in line with the guidelines. You should submit two photos alongside with the other documents.
• Valid passport. Before you apply, check your passport for its validity and date of issuance. It must have been issued within the last 10 years and valid for a minimum of 3 months after the end of your planned stay in France. The passport must have at least two blank pages in order to be able to put the visa sticker on it.
• Copies of older visas. If you have ever held any visa to any country in the world, submit copies of those visas.
• Proof of purchased health insurance policy for students.
• Proof of financial means. The French authorities want to know how you will be financing yourself while in France.
• Proof of accommodation. Another very important document that you need to submit is proof where you will be staying in France.
• Certificate of criminal record – showing that candidate has no open crime case involvement
• Proof of paid visa fee.

Documents for Students over 18

If you are over 18 years of age, to apply for a French student visa you should submit the following documents, in addition to the standard required documents for French visas:

• Proof of registration or pre-registration at a French educational institution related to your academic field. This is a document issued by the institution you will be attending, that contains your name, type of studies, length of studies, etc.
• Proof of your academic status/level.
• Cover letter explaining study project in France.
• Diplomas, Certificates.

Documents for students under 18

One of the parents will have to apply for this type of French long stay study visa in the name of their child, providing the required supporting documents, such as:

• Proof of the child’s enrollment at a French school.
• Previous school reports.
• Child’s knowledge of the French language.
• Proof where the child will be residing.
• Documents proving that the parent has the financial needs to financially support their child.
• Birth certificate of the minor stating the names of both parents.
• official translation of the birth certificate in French.
• Passports of both biological parents.
• Proof of Guardianship – if the minor will be traveling with a third person to France, proof of guardianship must be shown, signed by both parents.
• Travel authorization form signed by both parents.
• Registration or pre-registration at a French education institution.
• Report cards from the last school year.
• Receipt of payment of the tuition fees, or a letter of commitment to pay the fees on time attached to the proof of income.
• Vaccination certificate.

France Au Pair Visa Requirements

• Invitation letter from the host family (Original for Attestation d’accueil)
• Diplomas
• Proof of academic status/level if relevant
• Medical certificate that must be no older than 3 months, translated into French by a sworn translator.

How to apply for a French student visa

Some countries require you to register first with CampusFrance, the French national agency for higher education and international students, in order to apply for admission and get a student visa through the CEF procedure. You can check CampusFrance to find out if you need to do this. Otherwise, you should apply for a course via the university website, and get your visa at the French embassy/consulate in your home country. See here for a full list of French consulates and embassies able to issue visas.

Whether you are taking part in an exchange program, enrolling at a French educational institution as an independent student, or as part of a program organized by an institution in your home country, you must provide the consulate with the following:

• an official enrolment or acceptance letter on the headed paper of the institution, stating your full details, details of the French institution, and specifying the start and end dates of the academic program.
• proof that you have sufficient funds (currently €615 per month), for example, bank statement, guarantor’s letter, or notice of a grant or funding from an official source.
• an airline ticket/reservation showing date of departure or handwritten statement from yourself with an intended departure date.
• Proof that you have medical insurance with a minimum cover of EUR 30,000.
• proof that you have accommodation. If you’re staying on campus or student housing, then you need an official letter from the university confirming the details. If you’re staying with family or friends then they’ll need to get a certificate of board and lodging (attestation d’accueil) from their town hall.

Working while you’re a student

As an international student with a study visa in France, you can take on paid work – 964 hours in a single year (about 60% of full-time employment for a year) – while you are on the course, as long as you have a valid residency permit.

You can also work in the university or other educational institutions, with contracts of up to a year running between September 1 to August 31 (up to 670 hours September–June and up to 300 hours July–August), as long as it doesn’t affect your studies.

After graduation

If you hold at least a master’s degree, a degree categorized as level 1 by the CGE (Conference of Grandes ecoles) (equivalent to a 5-years studies course) or a professional license, you can apply for a further one year, non-renewable temporary residence permit, which allows you to work in any job up to 60 percent of a normal working week to support yourself while searching for a full-time job.

If you find work offering a salary at least 1.5 times the minimum wage, then you can contact your local préfecture to change your status from student to employee and work full-time.

It may be possible for other students to work in a few fields (contact CampusFrance for an up-to-date list of occupations). You’ll need a contract from the employer before you begin working. It’s also possible to pursue an auto-entrepreneur (freelance) visa during this year if you want to start your own company. The work must be related to studies, and business viability must be proven.

After graduation, students may also stay in France for one year on a post-study work visa to look for work. Once you have find a job, apply for a work permit and attach a letter from the prospective employer confirming the position.

Recent graduates may also qualify for the Talent Passport visa. This is a four-year residence permit for specialized graduates, company creators, artists, and more. For more information on the passport visa, see Expatica’s guide to French work permits.

Conclusion

It takes a lot of effort and time to start a travel business but the results are well paid – freedom, independence, ability to choose the desired direction of life and flexibility in every aspect of it. If you want to know how it feels like to evolve as a person step by step and how different trips change your whole outlook on life, join Touriago now!