Different types of France Student Visa:
There are three types of student visa in France you can apply for, based on the length of your program The types of France Student Visa are:
- Schengen Visa
- Temporary Long Stay Student Visa
- Long Stay Visa
Schengen Visa (Short Stay) :
The Schengen Visa is valid for three months and there is no separate resident permit required for the schengen Visa. The visa is suitable for language courses and other short term enrollments.
Temporary Long Stay Visa:
If your study program is anywhere between three to six months, then you can apply for temporary long stay visa without needing a resident permit in France. Keep in mind that temporary long stay visa is not renewable.
Long Stay Visa:
Most of the students who are applying for France Student Visa for higher education, apply for this particular type of visa. If the study program is longer than six months, then you are required to get Long stay France Student Visa.
Cost of France Student Visa:
The long stay France student visa costs are around €50. Apart for the application fees, there are France Student Visa Processing fees €50. The other charges include 1467 VFS service charges and handling fees.
The fees for the France student visa for New Delhi and Kolkata are to be paid via demand draft, while the other centres like Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Puducherry and Chennai need the payment to be done in the cash only.
Before paying the application fees, please consult and inquire to visa consulate for exact charges and payment methods.
Documents Required for France Student Visa
- Visa Application Form
- Passport size photographs (two)
- A Valid Passport
- Your CampusFrance ID
- Acceptance Letter
- Cover letter, CV/Resume
- Monetary Proofs (Enough to sustain yourself for duration of program in France)
- Proof of Healthcare Coverage
- Air Ticket(s)
- Proof of accommodation
- Copies of the Degree, Certificate, Transcripts and Diploma
For France Student Visa Interview, you are required to bring all the original documents along with their photocopies.
Application Process for France Student Visa:
There are two stages to apply for France Student Visa. First is Campus France, and other at the French Embassy. The submission of application can be done by the applicant himself or an authorised travel agent who is authorised by French Embassy.
The first step to apply for France Student Visa is to appear for a Campus France Interview. These are the steps you should follow to submit the documents in order to appear for the interview. After the interview, you need to submit the documents with VFS:
Log on to india.campusfrance.org. At the “Register online” box click on Create Your Account.
Fill the Academic records, Language skills, and CV+SOP sections. Upload documents, photograph, and academic records. Ensure that all fields in the Validation tab indicate “Complete”.
Send your file number to the assigned Campus France office to get your file reviewed, and to request an appointment.
You will have to appear in person for the academic interview with the Campus France advisor. You must also carry all the mandatory documents plus one set of photocopies along with the Campus France fee payment receipt.
You will receive an Interview completion certificate at the end of the interview.
After the academic interview, schedule an appointment with VFS-France, to submit your documents, photocopies, receipts, and passport.
The collection of documents and visa can only be done by applicant himself or the immediate family member such as parents or a sibling.
Dependents
Applicant’s spouses and children are permitted in cases where you are able to convince the situation to the consulate. The cases are evaluated individually and the decision is always conditional. For Bachelor’s programs, dependent applications are not accepted. It is still better to be well informed and get the right idea before applying.
Work Permit on France Student Visa:
For the work permit, students are allowed to work 964 hours in a year on a job that is part-time in nature. The working hours should not interfere with the university hours or academic activities. You should check with the University for the terms and conditions of working.
Students who have completed Master’s degree France are eligible to apply for a non-renewable residency permit. Students who have the field related job after earning a Master’s degree can apply for the change of status once they have a full-time job.