No Visa required for European Students

If you are a national of a European economic area country (European Union Country (EU) or Switzerland), you do not need a student visa to study or complete an internship in France. You may freely enter French territory regardless of the length of your stay or the course you opt for.

However, you will need to have a medical and maternity insurance and sufficient financial resources to meet your needs and those of any family members you may be supporting.

Applying for a Visa?

International students from outside the European Union, need a long-stay student

VISA (VLS-TS) if they wish to pursue their studies in France.

There are two ways to apply for your Visa:

Option 1: Students from the countries mentioned in the list in the link (https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en_US/web/france-visas/student), will need to follow the compulsory "Study in France" procedure, a system implemented by the Espace Campus France in your country

Option 2: If you are a student from a country besides those mentioned in the list above, you will need to apply at the consular service of your country or apply for a VISA through this link - https://france-visas.gouv.fr/fr_FR/web/france-visas

Details on the “Study in France" Process

This is a compulsory procedure for international students from the countries mentioned in the link above.

Mandatory

This process is compulsory, non-negotiable, and chargeable

The procedure has several steps and is similar to a recruitment process. Even if you are already accepted by the School, it is essential that you follow all the steps to apply for your student VISA.

Here are the steps you can follow to complete this process:

Click on this link to the official website and then click on ‘Register’.

Select the "Espace Campus France" option under your country and fill in the form to create an account on the "Study in France" platform. You will obtain an identification number post which you can complete the remaining steps (verification of documents, payment, interview, etc.).

If you have any questions about the "Study in France" procedure, do contact your local Campus France office. To find an office closest to you, please click here: https://www.campusfrance.org/en/espaces

To avoid any delays in processing, we advise you to start this procedure as soon as you are informed of your admission. VISA applications are usually processed three months before the date of departure. Students are advised to not wait until the last minute, so that you can get your VISA on time.

How to Validate Your Long-Stay Visa(Visa Long Sejour) upon Your Arrival in France?

Upon your arrival in France, you must validate your long-stay visa so that you can get a residence permit (VLS-TS, visa long séjour valant titre de séjour). You have 3 months to complete the required process.

Validating Your VLS-TS Visa Online

As soon as you arrive in France, you must validate your visa. The process is entirely digital and can be done remotely, at home and on your computer. Do make sure you validate your VISA within 3 months of your arrival in France.

Click here to know more: https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr
Here’s what you will need to validate your VLS-TS visa?
  • Information on your VISA,
  • Your date of arrival in France,
  • Your home address in France,
  • A bank card for the online payment of the fee required to process the residence permit.
What if you do not have a bank card?

Worry not! You can buy an electronic stamp (timbre électronique) at a kiosk, at a dedicated terminal, and pay the amount in cash.

Online Validation Steps
  1. Log onto the website https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr
  2. Enter the information on your VISA: VISA number, date of beginning and end of validity, date of issue, reason for stay
  3. Enter any additional information: family circumstances, telephone numbers and email addresses.
  4. Indicate your date of arrival in France and your address in France
  5. Complete the process by paying the stay tax of 50 Euros

Done! Your visa is validated.

You will receive two emails.

A first email with your login details. This will be required to access your account. The email will also contain details on the confirmation of the validation of your VLS-TS visa, which you can also download and save

A second email confirming the information you have entered online.