The French student visa, step by step
If you are a non-EU student, the route to France runs through the “Études en France” (Campus France) platform and a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS). Here is the whole journey, in order, with official sources for every figure.
Updated 2026-06-20
If you are a non-EU / non-EEA / non-Swiss student living in one of the 73 countries connected to the “Études en France” (EEF) platform - including Cameroon, Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Vietnam, China, India, Brazil and many others - you must apply through this online platform before you can request your visa. If your country is not on the list, you apply directly to the institution and then to France-Visas.
The journey, in 10 steps
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Check you are concerned
Confirm your country is one of the 73 “Études en France / CEF” countries. If yes, you must go through the platform - you cannot bypass it.
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Create your Études en France account
On pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance, build your electronic file: ID, academic history, transcripts, diplomas, motivation letter, CV, language test results.
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Choose your pathway and programmes
First year at a public university (L1/PASS/L.AS) from abroad → the DAP “dossier blanc”. Holding a French/European bac → also enter your wishes on Parcoursup. L2/L3, Master, grandes écoles, art/business/engineering schools → the hors-DAP route inside the platform (you can select several programmes).
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Prove your financial guarantee
Upload proof of resources of at least €615 / month (≈ €7,380 / year): bank statement, scholarship certificate and/or a guarantor’s declaration.
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Submit and pay the Campus France procedure fee
The fee depends on your country (roughly €50–€180). It is non-refundable, even if you are refused.
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Attend the Campus France interview (entretien)
Most applicants are invited to their local Espace Campus France for an interview (French and/or English) on motivation and the coherence of the study project.
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Receive admission decisions and accept one
Institutions answer inside the calendar; you then accept one offer before the response deadline (see the calendar below).
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Request your visa
With your acceptance, book the appointment at the external visa centre serving France in your country - TLScontact, VFS Global or Capago - and pay the visa fee (~€50 + a service fee ~€33.50).
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Travel to France
Carry your acceptance letter, proof of funds and accommodation, and your passport with the visa.
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Validate your visa within 3 months of arrival
A VLS-TS must be validated online on the ANEF platform (administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr) and the validation tax (€50 for students) paid. Miss this and your stay becomes irregular.
Which visa? The main types
| Visa / permit | When | Duration | Key points |
|---|---|---|---|
| VLS-TS “étudiant” | Studies longer than 6 months | 4 months–1 year; acts as a residence permit | Schengen travel; work up to 964 h/year (~20 h/week); access to the Visale rent guarantee and CAF housing aid. Must be validated online within 3 months. Renewable into a multi-year permit. |
| VLS-T “étudiant” | Studies 3–6 months | 3–6 months | No on-site validation/residence-permit step; fewer rights; not renewable on-site. |
| Short-stay “étudiant concours” | Under 90 days (e.g. entrance exam) | ≤ 90 days | Schengen visa; cannot be used to stay on long-term. |
| APS (after graduation) | After a Master / licence pro | 12 months, non-renewable | Lets graduates look for a job or start a business linked to their studies. More favourable terms for several partner countries (Senegal, Tunisia, Cameroon, India…). |
Documents checklist
- Valid passport, plus your admission/acceptance letter (for the visa step).
- Diplomas and academic transcripts; CV and motivation letter.
- Language proof - French-taught programmes typically require B2 (TCF / TCF DAP, DELF B2 or DALF C1). English-taught programmes set their own IELTS/TOEFL minimums.
- Financial proof - ≥ €615/month (bank statement, scholarship or guarantor).
- Accommodation proof - CROUS/residence attestation, lease, or a host’s “attestation d’hébergement”.
Fees to budget for
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Campus France procedure fee | ~€50–€180 (varies by country) | Non-refundable. E.g. Morocco ~€176, Algeria ~€138, USA $270. |
| Long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) | €50 | Reduced student rate. |
| External visa-centre service fee | ~€33.50 | TLScontact / VFS / Capago, on top of the visa fee. |
| VLS-TS validation tax (ANEF) | €50 | Paid online within 3 months of arrival. |
Per-country procedure fees move every year - confirm yours on your country’s *.campusfrance.org page before you pay.
2026–2027 calendar (key dates)
| Step | Date(s) | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Études en France / DAP opens | 1 Oct 2025 | All EEF candidates |
| DAP “dossier blanc” / architecture deadline | 15 Dec 2025 | First-year university & architecture, from abroad |
| Hors-DAP window | 1 Oct 2025 – 31 Jan 2026 | L2/L3, Master, écoles |
| University / DAP decisions | by 30 Apr 2026 | DAP candidates |
| Student response / acceptance deadline | 31 May 2026 | EEF / DAP candidates |
| Parcoursup main admission phase | 2 Jun – 11 Jul 2026 | French/European bac holders |
Calendars vary slightly by country - each *.campusfrance.org site publishes its own dated calendar.
Common questions
How much money do I need to prove?
At least €615 per month (about €7,380 per year), shown via a bank statement, a scholarship certificate, or a guarantor’s declaration.
Can I work on a student visa?
Yes - the VLS-TS lets you work up to 964 hours per year (around 20 hours per week) alongside your studies.
My country is not in the 73 - what do I do?
You skip the Études en France pre-consular step: you apply directly to the institution, then request your visa on France-Visas.
How much is the visa validation tax?
For students it is €50, paid online on the ANEF platform within 3 months of arrival (official Campus France figure; ignore higher numbers seen on some blogs).
Sources
- Campus France - Studying in France procedureofficial · 2026-06-20
- Campus France - countries affected by Études en Franceofficial · 2026-06-20
- Études en France platformofficial · 2026-06-20
- France-Visas - official visa portalofficial · 2026-06-20
- Service-Public - VLS-TS étudiantofficial · 2026-06-20
- Campus France - validate your long-stay visa on arrivalofficial · 2026-06-20
- info.gouv.fr - Parcoursup 2026 calendarofficial · 2026-06-20
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