Perhaps it's the presence of several of the world’s top business schools. INSEAD, for instance, which ranked fourth in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking this year and is particularly popular for its leading one-year MBA program. HEC Paris sits just a few miles away and is regularly ranked among the world’s leading business schools, while ESCP Business School¾home of the top-ranked Master in Finance degree, is also based in the French capital.
That’s not to mention the exciting career prospects in France, whether that’s in Paris’ leading banking sector, Lyon’s flourishing tech community, or indeed numerous exciting industries across the country. Strong links with the rest of Europe, meanwhile, make it exciting for those looking to lead careers across the continent.
For non-EU or Switzerland based students, securing a France student visa is a crucial step toward studying in the country.
Here, we break down the complete checklist of all you need to obtain a student visa for France, plus information on costs, timelines, and language requirements.
Summary of the France student visa process
Those applying from outside of the EU will need to submit a French student visa application, requiring completion of an online registration and an in-person appointment, where you’ll need to bring key documents such as a valid passport, proof of acceptance, proof of accommodation, proof of financial means, and health insurance. Applications cost between €50 and €99, and usually take between four to six weeks.
What’s the full checklist for a France student visa for international study?
For international students, the different stages and requirements for the France student visa process can be complicated, and having a checklist to hand can be advantageous.
The France student visa application process has several different stages. You must start your application online—if you are from an eligible country (including the UK, US, Canada, and India, among other countries) this is done via the ‘Etudes en France’ (EEF) platform. If your country of origin is not eligible, you can find more information online as to how to apply.
You’ll then need to book an in-person appointment at a visa application center, where you must bring all of the required documentation, listed below. You can track the progress of your application online.
Here is a list of the required documents for completing your application for a France student visa:
→ A valid passport must be submitted alongside your application, as well as two recent passport photos
→ An enrolment or pre-enrolment certificate from your university of choice, which should usually come with your letter of acceptance
→ Proof of financial means when applying for a France student visa, demonstrating that you can cover tuition living costs. This amounts to at least €615 per month, or €308 per month if you are not paying rent. If you are the recipient of a scholarship, you’ll also need to provide proof of this
→ Proof of accommodation for at least the first three months of your stay—for instance a rental agreement, student housing confirmation, or a declaration from someone hosting you for the duration
→ Proof of medical insurance that is valid in France, with a minimum coverage of €30,000
How much does a France student visa application cost?
The cost of applying for a France student visa varies from €50 to €99, depending on where you are applying from. Many countries fall under the EEF procedure, which costs €50 for applicants. Other international applications outside of the EEF procedure will pay €99.
You will also have to pay the OFII Validation fee, which is essentially a resident permit tax. This costs €60.
Other costs on top of this application fee include proof of financial means and medical insurance, as mentioned above.
What is the timeline for getting a student visa for France?
The length of time it takes to process your France student visa application can vary. Given the various stages of the process, you can expect it to take between four and six weeks.
Your online application can take around a week, if things go smoothly. Booking an appointment can take up to two weeks, while the visa application center can take around three weeks to process your application (during which time they’ll hold your passport).
You can begin your application from six months before your start date, so you can leave yourself with plenty of time.
Do I need to speak French to qualify for a student visa in France?
If you are applying for a French-taught program, then you’ll have to demonstrate a certain level of French language proficiency (a B1 or B2 level).
Most business school programs, however, are taught in English. For these programs, French speaking ability is not required—although proficiency in the English language will be necessary.
Acquiring your France student visa
As one of the world’s premier business school destinations, each year there are thousands of internationals who apply to study in France.
The different stages, costs, and required documents for obtaining your France student visa can make the application process complicated, so it’s worth familiarizing yourself as best you can in order to be well prepared and give yourself the highest chance of success.
That means pulling together the required documentation, including your passport and accompanying photos, an enrolment certificate, proof of financial means to cover the cost of studying, proof of accommodation, and valid medical insurance. You should also be aware of the costs, and the potential for your application to take between four and six weeks to be processed.
Having a full checklist to hand, along with expected costs and timings, makes the process much simpler, and before you know it, your ticket to one of the world’s top study destinations could be secured.
