Decoding the France Visa Filling Checklist: A Guide for Study Aspirants Applying through VFS
Introduction
The first thing to do after getting accepted into a French university is to start preparing for a French student visa. Just like other countries, France has immigration control policies that regulate the entry and stay of students planning to study in France.
Now if you are a student from an EU/EEA country, you will not require a student visa to study in France. However, if you are a student outside an EU/EEA country, you need to fulfill certain France study visa requirements.
Before applying for a student visa, it is essential to do informative research regarding various requirements, guidelines, and procedures for a successful visa application. Additionally, the type of France student visa you need depends on the course type and its duration.
Suppose your ideal destination of study is France, or you are preparing for a France student visa application. In that case, the below information will help you understand everything you need to know related to France's study visa, types, document checklist, application process, and more.
Types Of France Student Visa
The length of a France student visa depends on the course type you want to pursue, the course level, and the program duration. Below are the different types of visas students can apply for to study in France.
1. Short Stay Visa [visa de court séjour pour études]
Short-stay visas to study in France are governed by European regulations, which allow students to stay up to 3 months. Students who have short-stay visas do not require a French residence permit.
Who is it for?
For students who need to stay for a study period shorter than three months.
Students who want to enter France to attend an interview.
Students enrolled in short training programs, internships, and conferences.
Students appearing for an entrance exam.
Ideal for business trips or family visits as well.
Note:
Short-stay visas are non-renewable, and students will not have to go through a Campus France interview to apply for this visa.
However, students who enter France to take entrance exams or interview at higher French education institutions can apply for a long-stay visa after clearing their exams. To add more, a short-stay visa is only granted when the result of the entrance exam is supposed to be declared within 90 days.
2. Long Stay Visa [visa de long séjour études VLS-TS]
Long stay visa allows students to stay in France for up to one year. Students whose course duration exceeds 90 days can apply for a long-stay visa, and if you intend to stay longer than your visa validity, you will need to apply for France’s residence permit.
Who is it for?
Students who want to study France between 3 to 1 year.
Note:
Long stay visa is renewable and can be renewed two months before the expiry through your university. To apply for a long-stay visa, students must have to complete the Campus France application process before applying for a France student visa.
France Student Visa Requirements
To apply for a France student visa, students must meet the following requirements:
Age Requirements:
Students must be of at least 18 years of age to avail France student visa.
There is no maximum age limit for students planning to study in France.
Language Requirements:
Students who have applied for French Programs must have:
French language proficiency certificate
A minimum of level 7 in TEF for(Test d’Evaluation de Français)
A minimum score of DELF/DALF (if required)
Students who have applied for English Programs must have:
Minimum required score in IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or C1 Advanced.
Usually, a minimum band score of 6 or MOI is needed to easily avail student visa.
Acceptance Letter:
An official acceptance letter from a French university is a crucial requirement for a French student visa.
Note:
After receiving an acceptance letter from French institutions, students must apply on the Etudes en France platform at least 2 months before their intake date. This will help prevent any delays that can occur in the visa application process.
France Student Visa Documents Requirements
Required Documents Checklist:
Being aware of necessary documents can help smoothen the application process. The list below covers the required France student visa documents checklist that students need to submit at the French embassy or consulate in their home country during an interview with a consular officer.
Long stay application form for a duration of more than 90 days or duly completed and signed short stay application form for a duration of less than 90 days.
Two passport-size photographs
A copy of the Passport
A printout of your Campus France ID number
Visa fees payment confirmation receipt
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 health 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 Français 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
Certificate of criminal record
Financial Documentation:
Submitting correct and adequate financial documentation is very important. Financial proof indicates that you have sufficient funds to support your stay in France.
Below are essential financial documents that need to be submitted to fulfill France's student visa financial requirements.
Bank statements for the last 3 months
Income proof from the rented property
A monthly minimum of 615 Euros is required in a bank account
Last 3 years' income tax return (ITR)
Students receiving scholarship need to submit a statement indicating the duration and amount of the grant
Covering letter (mentioning social situation and financial elements)
ID proof
Last 3 months' payslips or proof of a professional situation
Health Insurance:
To apply for a France visa, students need to show proof of health insurance, valid in France. The health insurance should have coverage of at least €30,000 covering expenses caused due to medical reasons, urgent health attention, and/or emergency hospital treatment or death.
Accommodation Proof:
Another essential document to submit during your France visa application process is proof of accommodation. Below are the documents that need to be submitted:
Affidavit and proof of address
Copy of ID card
Copy of the property deed or lease agreement
Last income tax paper or copy of the family book (livret de famille)
Rental contract if you will be staying in a rented place.
Same Person Affidavit with Multiple Names:
Do you know that having multiple versions of your name can be a major reason behind a France visa rejection?
Having a different name on an education degree, passport, or on any other legal documents can cause trouble; hence, an affidavit is required to establish the truth of a statement.
To give an example, your name is Abhimanyu Sharma, and your name in your education degree is Abhimanyu Bhai Sharma. When you submit these documents without an affidavit, it will indicate that these documents are of two different persons and increase the chances of your visa getting rejected.
Similarly different versions of names are created using the phrases Kumar, Singh, Ben, Kumari, etc. Hence, getting a “One And Same Person Affidavit” drafted by a certified lawyer will help you prove that all different versions of your name belong to the same person.
Apply For France Student Visa With Edugo Abroad
France is the most preferred destination for Indian students but also has a high number of visa rejections. According to Schengen Visa Statistics 2022, the French student visa rejection rate was observed to be 20.12%.
For this reason, students must consult with an experienced France Visa Consultant in India to help with all paperwork with ease. Edugo Abroad is a leading overseas education consultant in India. Till now, we have achieved 500+ France Student Visa success and helped thousands of students realize their study abroad dream.
Contact our expert counselors today to get started!
Check out our Latest France VFS Checklist 2023 to know more about additional documents needed while applying for the France VFS.
How To Apply For France Student Visa?
Step 1: Log on to www.inde.campusfrance.org. Click on the “Register Online” box to create an account.
Step 2: After creating an account, fill necessary details such as Academic records, Language skills, and CV+SOP. Upload documents, academic records, and photographs. Make sure that all mandatory fields are filled completely.
Step 3: After document submission, send file no. to the Campus France office for file review and to request an appointment.
Step 4: Appear for the Campus France interview with all mandatory documents and Campus France fee payment receipt.
Step 5: After the academic interview completion, schedule an appointment with VFS-France for submitting documents, photocopies, receipts, and passports.
VFS France Appointment Booking and Submission Process
Students can schedule their appointment with VFS France on the online portal https://france-visas.gouv.fr/ where you will have to create a France Visas account. After taking a VFS appointment through the France Visa portal, submit your application.
Attend your appointment and submit all necessary documents to the consulate. He/She will review your application, and collect the visa application fee and biometric data (photo and fingerprints). Moreover, make sure to keep your passport and copies of all your supporting documents in the right order when forwarding to the consulate.
Bottom Line
When applying for a France student visa, students should be extremely careful with the application process and try not to give a single reason to reject their visa application. However, the France visa application process is a bit complex and requires expert guidance and support throughout the process.
Well, that’s what we are here for!
Edugo Abroad is a trusted France visa consultant having years of experience in assisting students with their visa applications. Our professional counselors always stand by students' side to guide them through the complete A to Z process.
If you need help with your visa application, please feel free to contact our team today!
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