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Student Visa is one of the most crucial parts of studying abroad. Even if you have cracked your exams, have good qualifications, and received admission from a university, you cannot experience it without a student visa. If you want to study in France, then a France Study Visa is required. As the name suggests, it is a study visa. However, you will need it only if you are not an EU national, or national from the EEA, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, or Iceland. If you want to fulfil your French dream, then read this blog as we cover everything related to France Student Visa.
Must Read: Everything You Need to Know About Intakes in France
This Blog Includes:
- Why Study in France?
- Eligibility Criteria for France
- Upcoming Intakes in France
- Types of France Student Visa
- Residence Permit in France
- France Student Visa Requirements
- France Student Visa Process
- France Student Visa Fees
- France Study Visa Processing Time
- Renewal of France Student Visa
- Top Universities in France
- Cost of Studying in France
- Work While Studying in France
- Student Dependent Visa
- Student Visa Rejection Rate
- FAQs
Why Study in France?
France’s higher education system provides excellent programmes in all fields and at all levels of study. There are around 3,500 higher education institutions in the country, covering a wide range of specialities. Engineering, Business Management, Tourism, Social Work, Culinary Arts, and Hotel Management are among the courses offered at these universities.
- Universities in France offer high-quality education that is tailored to the needs of students, as well as remarkable research and development opportunities.
- The climate in France is conducive to young entrepreneurs and innovation.
- Excellent job possibilities with the possibility of obtaining a Post-Study Visa.
- In the global top 500 list, QS ranks and recognises the top 20 universities in France.
- Because the French government subsidises a large portion of actual tuition costs, tuition prices at public universities are cheap.
- A Grands Ecoles system that is comparable to a Master’s degree.
Eligibility Criteria for France
The eligibility criteria to study in France as an international student are given below:
Educational Qualification:
- The minimum eligibility is a graduate degree in a relevant discipline, with at least 50% from a UGC or AICTE-recognized university.
Age Limit:
- Must be at least 18 years old. There is no restriction on the upper age limit.
Evidence of English language proficiency
Standardized Test Results
Upcoming Intakes in France
To understand the France Study Visa and its requirements, it’s important to know about the different intakes in France as well. Universities in France have a variety of application dates. Nonetheless, there are two significant intakes:
- Intake 1: Summer Semester – It commences in October and is the major intake
- Intake 2: Winter Semester – It commences in April and is available only for selected courses
Education in France and Public Universities in France
Types of France Student Visa
There are criteria that you must meet to receive a France Student Visa. France issues three different types of student visas, depending on the duration of the study.
| Visa de court séjour pour etudes (‘Schengen’ short-stay student visa) | This Paris visa is for programmes lasting less than three months. This visa is typically used for short-term study programmes or language courses. It is free, you will not require a residency permit, and you will be able to apply for a new one when your current one expires. |
| Visa de long séjour temporaire pour etudes (temporary long-stay visa) | This France Study Visa is for studies or courses that take 3 to 6 months to complete. |
| Visa de long séjour etudes (long-stay visa) | This France Study Visa is for studies that will last longer than six months. If you want to prolong your stay after your long-stay visa expires, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit (1 year). |
Residence Permit in France
You only need your Long-Term Student Visa as proof of resident status during your first year of studies. To verify your visa, you must register with the local French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) and undergo a medical examination within a month of your arrival in France. If you intend to stay longer than a year, you must apply for a Carte de Séjour (CDS) or ‘titre de séjour’, an official residency permit in France, beginning in your second year of studies.
France Student Visa Requirements
The following are France Student Visa requirements for Indian citizens. You must be eligible for all the following criteria:
- Visa application form for France Study Visa
- Age over 18 years
- 2 passport size photos
- A valid passport and copies of your previous Visas if any
- Official Letter of Acceptance/Enrolment from the University in France
- Evidence of monetary means for covering all expenses during the period of study
- Air flight reservation/ticket with the date of departure
- Medical/health insurance that can cost around € 311 – € 714 (INR 27,174 – INR 62,387) yearly
- Documents that state the arrangement for accommodation during your studies
- If you have enrolled in a course taught in French, you will need a proficiency certificate for the French language
- Evidence of payment of Visa fees
- If applicable, proof of civil status
France Student Visa Process
A French Student Visa is not as tough to receive but there are fairly enough procedures that you need to follow to get a French student visa.
- Collect all the aforementioned documents
- Log in to the Campus France website.
- Register online to create a new account
- You will be asked to fill in your details, including academic records, CV, SOP, language skills, etc. Once you have done a task, the validation tab will indicate ‘Complete.’
- You will receive a file number that you must send to the Campus France Office for reviewing your file.
- Next, you have to appear for an academic interview with the Campus France Advisor. You must carry a hard copy of all your documents.
- If approved, you will receive a certificate for the interview.
- Then, schedule an appointment to submit your documents, passport, certificate, and receipts to receive a visa.
France Student Visa Fees
France Student Visa costs are different for all three types of visas. You may even be required to pay ahead of it in any special circumstances.
| Type of Visa | Short-Stay Visa | Long-Stay Visa |
| Cost | €60 | €99 |
Along with these charges, you will also be required to pay €50 for Visa Processing.
Also Read: MS in France: Benefits, Universities & Application Process
France Study Visa Processing Time
A French student visa takes time according to the kind of processing. If you have applied for expedited processing, you will get approval from the Campus France Office within 3 days. Still, in the case of a general application, the duration is anytime in 3 weeks.
Renewal of France Student Visa
A student visa is valid till the completion of your course. But, in case you are planning to stay ahead of the visa expiration date, you must apply for a multi-annual residence permit. All the procedures for this permit occur in France, but you must apply two months before your visa expires. Renewing a student visa in France is a simple process.
This permit is usually for students who wish to continue their studies after they have finished their initial studies. In this case, the student receives a permit to stay for the number of years that your program requires.
Top Universities in France
Here are the top universities in France for international students along with their QS World Rankings in 2024.
| University | QS Ranking 2024 |
|---|---|
| Psl Universite Paris | 24 |
| Institut Polytechnique De Paris | 38 |
| Sorbonne University | 59 |
| Université Paris-Saclay | 71 |
| Ecole Normale Superieure De Lyon | 184 |
| Ecole Des Ponts Paristech | 192 |
| Université Paris Cité | 236 |
| Université Grenoble Alpes | 294 |
| Sciences Po Paris | 319 |
| Pantheon-Sorbonne University | 328 |
| Université De Montpellier | 382 |
| Aix-Marseille University | 387 |
| National Institute Of Applied Sciences In Lyon | 392 |
| Université De Strasbourg | 421 |
| Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 | 452 |
Cost of Studying in France
France University’s fee depends on the course and university. The average fee range in French universities is mentioned below.
| Program | Fees |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | €21,400 – €40,400 per year |
| Master’s | €22,700 – €35,700 per year |
| Doctorate | €10,500 – €20,500 per year |
Work While Studying in France
Under certain conditions, all overseas students are permitted to work during their studies. Working part-time (about 60% of full-time jobs for a year) and only if you have a valid residence visa are the only legal options. If you disclose to your employer that you are a foreign student when applying for a job, they will only consider your application for a part-time position. You may also find work opportunities within your university, and if you don’t want work to interfere with your studies, you can only accept these offers during the semester breaks.
Changing France Student Visa to Work Visa
France Study Visa does not provide any post-study work allowance. As per the rules, you must leave the country after your education. But if you have received a paid job, you can apply for a residence permit or a France Work Visa before your study visa expires.
Also, read about the UK Post Study Work Visa
Student Dependent Visa
A student-dependent visa in France is only applicable in the case of a long-term study visa. A dependent of the student receives a visitor’s visa. But there are certain rules that the dependent needs to follow.
- They cannot take up any job for themselves.
- They must provide a source of funding in France for themselves, which is irrespective of the student’s fund proof.
- They must provide proof of living
- Their visa process will not be clubbed with the student’s visa process but has to be handled individually.
Student Visa Rejection Rate
In 2021, the average rejection rate for a French student visa for Indian students applying from Bangalore, Kolkata, Pondicherry, and Mumbai was 8.16%, while individuals applying from Delhi saw a rejection rate of 15.9%.
The following are some of the most common reasons for a student visa rejection:
- Insufficient funding
- Inadequate or fraudulent documents
- Insufficient academic merit or achievement
- Knowledge of the selected course or university
- Risk of threat to public security
- Poor interview skills
FAQs
Ans. The Schengen student visa is free and does not need to be renewed. You can apply for a visa de court séjour étudiant Concours, which is a visa for taking entrance tests if you need to come to France to take one or more university admission exams.
Ans. Foreign students are allowed to work up to 964 hours per year, or 60% of the maximum working hours allowed in France, according to French law. A minimum wage is guaranteed in France, whether you are a student or not.
Ans. A short-stay visa, known as an “étudiant/étudiant-Concours” (student examination) visa, will be awarded to you, allowing you to stay for a maximum of 90 days in 180 days.
Ans. To apply for PR in France, you must complete a master’s programme at one of the country’s reputable colleges or business schools. Following that, you must apply for an APS Visa, which permits you to stay in France for two years. During this time, you must find suitable work on a CDI contract.
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Needless to say, applying for a France student visa would require you to fill in every important detail and be aware of all deadlines at the same time. You can always take the assistance of our experts at Leverage Edu, who will guide you in completing the tedious task of completing your visa application. Call us today on 1800572000 for a free session!
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