France Student Visa for Indian Students
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Studying in France usually requires a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) — a national visa that acts as your residence permit for studies between 4 months and 1 year and must be validated after arrival. This visa also lets students work part-time (up to ~20 hrs/week).
| Requirement | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Long-stay visa valid as residence permit — VLS-TS (étudiant) |
| Who needs it | International students (programs > 90 days) — follow the Études en France / Campus France route if required. |
| Core documents | Admission letter, proof of funds (€615/month guideline), accommodation proof, valid passport, health insurance, Campus France/EEF confirmation (if applicable). |
| Apply via | France-Visas portal → local VFS Global center (India) / French Consulate as directed. |
| Processing time (typical) | Allow 3–8 weeks (official guideline: processing often 15 days but can extend up to 45 days – plan ahead). |
| After arrival | Validate your VLS-TS online / OFII formalities within the first 3 months. |
| Post-study option | APS (Temporary Resident Permit / job-seeker) — official APS allows graduates to stay to look for work or create a business (see post-study section). |
Step-by-step: How Indian students apply (simple roadmap)
- Accept an offer from a French university (get your official admission/offer letter).
- Register on Campus France (Études en France) if your program/your nationality requires it — complete your profile and EEF submission. This step is mandatory for many countries and routes your file to the consulate.
- Start France-Visas application: create an account on France-Visas, complete the online form and upload required documents.
- Book your appointment via VFS Global (India) and appear at the VFS centre with originals — biometrics, document submission and possible short interview happen here.
- Wait for the consular decision — once approved the visa sticker is placed in your passport. Typical/average timelines vary (see “Timing” below).
- On arrival in France validate your VLS-TS (online/OFII) within the first 3 months and complete any local formalities (medical insurance activation, student registration).
Documents checklist (common / essential)
- Valid passport (valid 3+ months after planned stay)
- Official admission / enrolment letter from the French institution
- Campus France confirmation / EEF number (if applicable) and interview documents.
- Proof of sufficient funds (guideline: €615 / month after tuition) — bank statements, sponsor affidavit, scholarship letter.
- Proof of accommodation in France (lease, CROUS assignment, host letter)
- Proof of medical insurance/health cover valid in France
- CV, motivation letter, previous academic transcripts (as required)
- Visa application payment confirmation & appointment printout
Pro tip: different consulates/VFS centres may ask for small local variations (notarised translations, extra documents). Always check your local Campus France & consulate instructions.
Timing & processing — how long should you plan for?
- Start early: Begin the Études en France / visa steps 8–12 weeks before your program start date. Campus France processing and consulate timelines vary by season.
- Official guideline: Many France visas are processed within ~15 days, but long-stay student visas commonly take 3–4 weeks in practical cases and can be extended up to 45 days in exceptional cases — so plan for 3–8 weeks to be safe.
Post-study & working in France (short summary)
- After graduation you can apply for the APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) — a temporary resident permit that lets eligible graduates remain in France to look for work or start a business. Official Campus France and French administration pages describe the APS as a transitional permit to stay for job search/business creation (the usual duration and exact eligibility can vary by degree and years).
- If you secure employment, you can switch to work authorisations such as the Passeport Talent (Talent passport) or a standard employee residence permit — these are the routes most graduates use to extend stay for work.
Important: post-study rules change periodically (and sometimes with specific country agreements). Always verify the latest APS / post-study rules with Campus France or your local prefecture before planning.
Common pitfalls & tips (make your visa foolproof)
- Submit complete and consistent documents (names, dates must match across passport, university letter, bank statements).
- Proof of funds: showing the required funds (or sponsor evidence/scholarship) is a major checklist item — plan bank statements and sponsor affidavits well in advance.
- Book your VFS appointment early (peak intake months see heavy volume).
- Keep digital copies of everything — France-Visas allows you to upload digital documents to speed the process.
Ready to get help?
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