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Student
VISA Process
Process to obtain French Student Visa for
international students
International students who are not from Europe (that
is, students who are not nationals of the countries of
the European Economic Region plus Andorra, Monaco,
Switzerland, San Marino, and Vatican City) must obtain
a long-term visa marked "student" in order to study in
France for longer than 3 months.
International students of all nationalities enjoy the
right of multiple entries into France. Once granted,
their visa is automatically renewed for the duration
of their studies in France.
A special visa exists for prospective students. The
so-called étudiant-concours visa is granted for stays
of no more than 90 days for the purpose of taking an
entrance examination or visiting institutions of
higher education. Prospective students who pass their
examination receive a full student visa without
returning to their country of origin. The prospective
student visa also may be granted to students whose
admission to a higher education institution is
contingent upon their completion of a short course of
remedial or refresher work.
To obtain a visa, visit the French consulate in your
place of residence or the visa office of the French
embassy.
Two points to remember
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Under no
circumstances may a tourist visa be converted into
a student visa. This is true throughout the
European Union. |
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International
students of all nationalities intending to stay in
France for more than 3 months must obtain a
student identification card. |
What documentation do I need to get a visa?
A Passport
The passport must be valid for the entire period of
validity of the visa.
Proof of enrollment
The following documents will be accepted as proof:
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An offer of preliminary admission
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A statement of
pre-registration in a public or private
institution of higher education. The document must
specify the level of study and the student's
subject. If the institution is private, the
statement must indicate the number of course hours
and state that registration fees have been been
paid in full. |
Proof of financial resources
Each French embassy sets the level of financial
resources to be demonstrated by prospective students
from that country. The amount is on the order of 3,000
francs for each month to be spent in France.
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Students receiving
scholarship grants must produce a statement
indicating the amount and duration of their grant
on the letterhead of the granting organization.
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If the required
resources are guaranteed by an individual residing
in France the student must produce a signed
statement of financial responsibility, a photocopy
of the national identity card of the guarantor,
and proof of the guarantor's own financial
resources (such as the guarantor's three most
recent pay stubs and most recent tax return). |
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If the resources
come from abroad, the student must demonstrate
that a bank account has been opened into which the
necessary funds will be deposited and produce a
promise of payment, translated into French and
bearing the authenticated signature of the
individual responsible for making the payments, or
a statement of payment of funds from the
authorities of the student's country of origin.
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Proof of insurance coverage
Proof of insurance must be provided by students over
28 who are nationals of a country that does not have a
reciprocity agreement with France or who are enrolled
in an institution that is not recognized by the French
government to participate in the student health
insurance plan.
Parental authorization
Minors (individuals under 18 years of age) must
furnish proof of consent by the person or persons
having parental authority.
Required vaccinations
In some cases, the consulate may require proof of
vaccination (e.g., against yellow fever, cholera…)
before a visa will be issued.
