How to get a French student visa
The visa process can be insanely confusing, especially if it is your first time. I’ve created this guide to get you through the French visa process as seamlessly as possible.
*Important disclosure: I’m not a lawyer, so please understand that the information shared in this blog post is from my personal experience and isn’t a substitute for legal advice. If you have concerns about your unique situation, consult with a lawyer or the embassy about it.
You’re going to France!! Amazing! Wow! This is the adventure of a lifetime! Once all the excitement has died down, you get to experience an integral part of life in France: The French administration.
Every country has their horrible administrative processes, but it seems like the French just like to make everything more complicated. You’re in for a bit of a bumpy ride, but let’s start with the first step in the process: Getting your visa.
1. Register with Campus France
This is only for certain countries, including the USA. Here is an excerpt from the website:
This procedure is mandatory in the following countries and regions : Algeria, Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Russia, Senegal, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, United States, Vietnam.
If your country is not listed, you can probably skip ahead to Step 3.
To register, you need to go to the Etudes en France website. You will have to create an account, then fill out all kinds of information about your program, your education, why you want to go to France, etc.
2. Pay the fee on Campus France
You can pay via this link. There is an option for expedited service, which is more expensive.
3. Fill out application on France-Visas
Once you’ve paid and your Campus France application is approved, you can now fill out another application on the official visa website. This application will ask you a lot of the same questions as Campus France and you’ll have to pay another fee. Once you’ve submitted the application, you will receive a list of documents needed. These are:
Application form – You can find it on the France-Visas platform
Passport (plus copy of ID page)– must be valid for another year and have 2 blank pages (really a 3 because once you arrive in France you need to get the OFII sticker)
Campus France confirmation email + Etudes en France acceptance letter
France-Visas receipt of payment
Proof of accommodation in France for the first 3 months– This can be a rental agreement, a hotel reservation, or a letter from your host institution that you have housing. If you’re staying with family or a friend you will need a letter from them, proof of their address, as well as their ID
Two recent, passport-size photos
Proof of funds – either a letter from your parents (notarized) and their last three bank statements, proof of scholarship, proof that school is paying for it, or documentation that you can pay for yourself
4. Schedule appointment
Make an appointment with VFS Global, NOT the consulate by using this link. Bring all of your documents to the appointment and you should be set! If you have problems with one document, they will normally give you a few days to fix it instead of just cancelling your overall application. They’ll take your passport too so don’t plan any international trips until you receive your passport back.
5. Pick up visa
You did it! Now you’ll need to wait a few weeks (minimum of 3) to pick up your passport and your new visa. Alternately, you’ll receive it in the mail. Once you arrive in France, be sure to validate your visa here
If you’re going to Paris, read all about the 7 things I learned when I went to Paris here
