France Student Visa (VLS-TS): 7-Step Guide

Ready to pursue your academic dream in the City of Lights? The French student Visa application can feel like a complex journey, but with the right guidelines and a clear roadmap, you can secure your entry to one of the world’s most vibrant study destinations.

This in-depth article, updated for 2024/2025, breaks down the entire process for obtaining your Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS), ensuring you have the latest, most authoritative information to make your application a success.

Step 1: Secure Your Admission & Determine the Visa Type

The first and most critical step is getting an Acceptance Letter from a recognized French higher education institution.¹ Without this, your visa application cannot proceed.

 Know Your Visa

Depending on your academic program, the aforementioned French student visa will depend on your course length. In short-duration courses (courses shorter than 90 days (three months) or brief study periods) you will normally apply to get a Short-Stay Visa (also known as a Schengen student visa), which is usually without charge but cannot be renewed or extended. In the event that you are expected to stay in France for a moderate period, that is, 3 to 6 months, then it is the Temporary Long-Stay Visa (VLS-T). Most importantly, the VLS-T is non-renewable and, unlike other long-stay visas, does not insist on validation on your arrival in the country. Nonetheless, the most commonly given visa for international students is the Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS “Etudiant”), which is required for all studies exceeding 6 months (up to one year). This critical visa is similar to a temporary Student Residence Permit and has to be certified by way of an online procedure shortly after landing in France.

Step 2: Navigate the Campus France & Etudes en France (EEF) Procedure

Regardless of whether you completed the EEF procedure, all French student visa applicants must use the official government portal, France-Visas, to formalize their request. The process begins by using the site’s Visa Wizard tool, which determines the exact visa type, fees, and the precise list of required documentation based on your nationality and intended study duration. Following this, you must complete the official visa application form online, uploading digital copies of all the necessary supporting documents. Finally, you must print and sign the completed Visa Application Form along with the checklist of required documents, as these paper copies are essential for your in-person submission appointment.

Step 4: Book and Attend Your Appointment

The next step is to submit your file in person at the designated Visa Application Center (VAC), often managed by a third-party service provider (like VFS Global) or the French Consulate/Embassy ¹⁴

1. Book Online: Schedule your appointment through the VAC’s website, often months in advance, especially during peak seasons (July-September).
2. Biometrics: At the appointment, your file will be checked, your Visa Fees will be paid, and your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) will be collected.¹⁵
3. Timeline: Processing time can vary, but it typically takes 3 to 6 weeks after submission.¹⁶

Step 6: Understand the Costs (Visa Fees)

The main costs are:

Fee Type	Amount	Notes
Long-Stay Visa Fee (VLS-TS)	$\mathbf{€50}$ (EEF procedure countries) or $\mathbf{€99}$ (Non-EEF countries)	Paid at the VAC or online.
VAC Service Fee	Varies (e.g., $\approx \mathbf{€20} – \mathbf{€35}$)	Paid to the external service provider (e.g., VFS).
OFII Validation Tax	$\mathbf{€50}$ (post-arrival)	Paid online after you arrive in France.

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 Step 7: Post-Arrival Formalities: Visa Validation (VLS-TS)

Congratulations! If you received your VLS-TS, you’re one step closer. Your visa acts as a temporary Student Residence Permit, but it is not complete until validated.¹⁷

• Deadline: You must complete the Visa Validation (Validating VLS-TS) process within 3 months of your arrival in France ¹⁸
• The Process: This is an entirely digital process done on the dedicated ANEF platform (the digital branch of OFII).¹⁹
• What you need: Your visa information, date of arrival, address in France, and a bank card to pay the OFII Validation Process tax (currently ²⁰$\mathbf 50}$).²¹

 FAQs: Quick Answers for Future French Students

Q: Is the Campus France interview mandatory for the French Student Visa?

A: Yes, if you are a citizen of one of the countries that fall under the Etudes en France (EEF procedure, the interview is mandatory. It’s a key part of the application process that precedes the consular decision.

Q: What is the VLS-TS visa, and why is it important?

A: The VLS-TS stands for Visa Long Séjour valant Titer de Séjour (Long-Stay Visa serving as a Residence Permit).²⁵ It is important because it allows you to bypass the need to apply for a Student Residence Permit at a Prefecture immediately upon arrival for your first year.²⁶

Q: How much money do I need to show for my Proof of Financial Means?

A: You must prove you have at least ²⁷$\mathbf{€615}$ per month to cover living expenses, or ²⁸$\mathbf{€7,380}$ for a full year.²⁹ This must be shown through a personal or sponsor’s bank statement, or a scholarship certificate.³⁰

 Conclusion and Call to Action

Applying for your French study Visa requires meticulous preparation, but by following these official Visa Application Guidelines and using the Campus France and France-Visas portals, you can confidently leap into your French academic adventure.