France student visa documents

Original passport issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date from the Schengen area, with at least two blank visa pages for the visa sticker.

“A valid passport issued less than 10 years before and valid for at least 3 months after the envisaged departure date”

Mark sheets or passing certificates and degree/diploma certificates (or bonafide letters) covering every stage from Class 10+2 up to the last qualification obtained, uploaded to the Campus France academic record.

“Degree or Diploma Certificates or bonafide letter for “10+2” onwards till last degree obtained”

Certificate of enrolment or unconditional acceptance from the French higher education institution that has admitted the student; this is a mandatory supporting document for the visa file.

“You must especially include the certificate of enrolment in the higher education institution that has accepted you.”

In-person or online interview with a Campus France Manager to explain the study project and choice of institution; a mandatory step in the Etudes en France procedure before the visa stage.

“the academic interview with the Campus France Manager, during which you will be required to explain your reasons for choosing France”

Proof of language proficiency matching the medium of instruction: a DELF, TCF or DALF score for French-taught programs, or evidence of English competence for English-taught programs (institution-dependent).

“If the course is in French then a standard test like the DELF, TCF or DALF may be asked.”

Bank statements, sponsor guarantee, education-loan sanction letter or scholarship certificate demonstrating the revised minimum monthly funds of €877.50 required for student visa applications from 1 August 2026.

“Effective 1 August 2026, the minimum proof of financial resources required for a French student visa will be revised to €877.50/month”

Online registration and document upload on the dematerialised Etudes en France platform, which manages the admission dossier and feeds directly into the student visa request.

“platform is completely dematerialised and manages all of the enrolment procedures for an institute of higher education up until the visa request”

Application for the long-stay visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS), issued for stays of up to one year and lodged on the France-Visas online portal after the academic interview.

“The long-stay visa, valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS), for a stay of less than or equivalent to one year.”

Consular visa fee of €50 for applicants from EEF-procedure countries, including India, paid at the VFS Global appointment; the standard rate for other countries is €99.

“Visa pricing for countries or territories with EEF procedure: 50 €*”

Evidence of a temporary address covering at least the first three months of stay, or a permanent address if housing has already been secured, submitted with the visa application.

“For your visa application, you must provide a temporary address for the first three months of your stay”

Registration for the French student social security scheme, which is free of charge for all non-European students under 28 and reimburses on average 60% of medical costs.

“Registering for social security is free of charge and mandatory for all non-European students under the age of 28.”

Mandatory online validation of the VLS-TS visa within 3 months of arrival in France, confirming legal student status with the French immigration office (OFII); missing the deadline forfeits the right to stay.

“As soon as you arrive in France, you must validate your visa.”