France Student Visa Guide
There are different types of student visas for France:
- Visa de court séjour pour etudes (‘Schengen’ short-stay student visa): You can come to France and study for up to three months on this visa, without the need for a separate residence visa. This is suitable for those enrolling on a language course or short-term programs.
- Visa de long séjour temporaire pour etudes (temporary long-stay visa): This visa allows you to study in France for between three and six months without the need for a residence permit. It is non-renewable.
- Visa de long séjour etudes (long-stay visa): If you want to study for longer than six months, then you need to apply for this visa. This type of study visa lasts for the duration of your course in France i.e. three years for bachelors, two years for masters and four years for a Ph.D. Long-stay visas act as residence permits and are called VLT-TS.
Submission of Visa application and collection of passports can be done only by the applicant himself or through a travel agent authorized by the Embassy of France, New Delhi. French Student Visa has two distinct stages of application. One at the Campus France and the other at the embassy. The set of documents can vary for both of them. You would be required to submit originals at Campus France and Photo-copies at the embassy/ consulate/ Visa Application Centres.
Cost of Visa
The Visa Fee for Long Stay National Visa for Study purposes is €50 for students applying for bachelors/ masters courses. For dual course applicants as well as exchange students, the fee is the same. This amount needs to be paid at the nearest BNP Paribas Branch. You can locate the branch from this web tool. Once you reach the branch, you would need to carry you're IN Number. The payment can be made in cash and in favor of INSTITUT FRANCAIS EN INDE, Account N0. 0906506003400137. We recommend you to speak with the nearest branch before you go there to make the payment.
Apart from this charge, you would also be required to pay Visa Processing charge of €50 which is at present at INR 4076 as well as the VFS Service Fees and handling charges which amount to INR 1467 (inclusive of taxes). Please note the visa fee for applicants applying to the France Visa Application Centre in New Delhi and Kolkata is payable by a Bank Draft. Visa fee for applicants applying to the France Visa Application Centre in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Goa, Chennai, and Puducherry is payable by cash only. Also, an optional courier facility is available at Rs 300 (inclusive of service tax) per application.
Note: It is always advisable to check with the embassy/ consulate before you submit your application about the Visa Fee as exchange rates are subject to change.
Documents
You should provide two sets of application photocopies containing the following documents:
- Long stay application form for the duration of more than 90 days
- Two passport size photographs
- A copy of Passport
- A print out of your CampusFrance ID number
- Letter of registration from the academic Institution
- Cover letter explaining the study project and a CV/Resume
- Proof of funds - tuition fees + a minimum of 615 Euros/month, for the complete academic term
- Proof of medical insurance with coverage valid in France
- Copy of your round-trip airline ticket (if you are studying for six months or less) or a one-way ticket if you are studying in France for more than six months)
- OFII form (Office Francais de Immigration et de Integration)
- Proof of residency in France such as a lease, electricity bill, title of property etc. for a minimum of three months or a hotel reservation
- Copy of the CV
- Copies of the degree and academic diplomas, certificates
When you go for your interview, you would be required to carry all your documents in original plus a copy of all the documents.
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