Everything you should know about the French Student VISA
Updated July 2020 5-minutes read
Updated July 2020 5-min read
Updated July 2020 5-minutes read
Updated July 2020 5-min read
That’s it, you’ve decided to go studying in France and here you are, with a lot of questions..
Do I need a VISA? And, if so, how to apply for one?
To get your French Student VISA, know that there are 3 different procedures depending on your country of origin:
Don’t worry, we walk you through everyone of them. If you don’t have time to read now, we have summarized everything for you in a downloadable PDF.
Good news, you don’t need a VISA to enter the territory and study!
43 countries are part of the “Études en France” procedure (EEF), which allows you to register easily in French institutions, to dialogue with your French Campus space, and finally to get the certificate for your VISA application. Procedure is divided in 2 steps:
1. I create my “Études en France” account to apply for enrolment and to get my certificate
2. I validate my VISA
Keep it mind that not everything is finished when you get your VISA: you also need to validate it as soon as you arrive. You have 3 months to do so, otherwise it will be automatically cancelled.
The validation is 100% online via the government website. You will be asked for the following documents :
You now hold a French Student VISA – valid for 1 year – that will allow you to travel freely throughout Europe, work and to apply for the student housing aid.
You are also eligible to obtain a VISA but there is no specific procedure, it is up to you to contact the French embassy or consulate in your country.
Get your student VISA through these 4 steps:
1. I go to the embassy / consulate, where I will be delivered:
2. Upon my arrival in France, I send the following documents to the OFII of my city (by registered letter):
3. I receive a convocation to the OFII and I go there with the following documents:
60€ worth of tax stamps, on sale online at the government website, as well as in tobacco shops.
4. The OFII gives me a AGDREF number and a OFII label, which will be affixed to my passport.
You now hold a French Student VISA – valid for 1 year – that will allow you to travel freely throughout Europe, work and to apply for the student housing aid.