student visa in france from india
Are you an Indian looking to study in France? Are you looking for your student visa from India? Here is a complete guide on studying in France and applying for a student visa. As a university student in India, it’s natural for you to wonder about studying in France. Indeed, France is a world-class destination where you can enjoy not only a top-quality education but also many other perks, including career prospects and a wonderful lifestyle. If you are now interested in studying in the country, read on to know the basics of getting your student visa in France.
If you want an EU student visa in France, you’re most likely to think of getting acquainted with the French embassy. However, if you want to get a student visa from India, this is not the case. That’s because the French consulate in Bangalore issues all visas for students coming from India.
France has a strong educational system and is known worldwide as one of the best countries to study in. It is a source of pride for many in France that the country attracts more international students than any other European Union (EU) member.
France is a beautiful country that has been attracting students from all over the world. If you are planning to study in France, then you need to get a student visa.
A student visa is issued by the French embassy or consulate in your home country and allows you to enter France as a student.
In order to apply for a student visa, you will need:
- A valid passport that has at least two blank pages for the visa stamp (your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your intended date of departure from France)
- Proof of enrollment in an accredited French school or university (your acceptance letter)
- Proof of financial support (it should be at least 1/3rd of your tuition fees)
Study in France – France is one of the most popular destinations for international students. The country offers a wide range of higher education options, and it is an incredibly diverse and exciting place to study.
France has some of the best universities in Europe, and it is home to over 300 institutions that offer courses in English. The French government also offers grants for international students who are studying in their country.
The application process for a student visa to France can be long and complicated, but with our help you can get through it quickly and easily! We will walk you through every step of the way, so you don’t have to worry about missing any deadlines or forgetting anything important.
You can apply directly through our website or contact us today!
WHY STUDY IN FRANCE?
The higher education system in France offers excellent programs across all disciplines and study levels. It has 3,500 plus higher education institutions with a diverse range of subjects. With a France study visa you can study in colleges teaching Engineering, Business Management, Tourism and Social Work, Culinary Arts and Hotel Management.
- Universities in France provide quality higher education tailored for the needs of the students and offer exceptional R&D opportunities
- France has an ambience favorable for young Entrepreneurs and innovation
- Outstanding career prospects with options for Post Study Visa
- The Top 20 Universities in France are ranked and recognized by QS in the global top 500 list
- The Government of France subsidizes a vast share of the actual tuition costs and thus Tuition fees are low at Public Universities
- An analogous Grandes Ecoles system that is on par with a Masters degree
COST OF STUDYING IN FRANCE
The average tuition fees for overseas students will depend on the Universities in France that they have selected. It will also vary depending on your course and your nationality whether you belong to a country in the EU or a non-EU country.
| Undergraduate Bachelor Degree | € 2,770 – € 10,000 yearly |
| Postgraduate Master’s Degree | € 3,770 – € 10,000 yearly |
UPCOMING INTAKES IN FRANCE
The application deadlines for Universities in France are diverse. Nevertheless, the two major intakes are: 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
WORK AUTHORIZATION FOR STUDENTS
The law allows international students on a student visa to work for a total of 964 hours per year, or 60% of the regular working hours in France. Part-time employment would not be enough to cover all of the costs, but it can be considered as a supplementary income.
ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS FOR STUDENTS
If you are a student on a France study visa
- You must be over 18 years of age;
- For a training course not exceeding three months, you will be issued a short-stay visa;
- For a training course exceeding three months or six months, you will be issued a temporary long-stay visa, which will require no further formalities on your arrival in France;
- For training or a course exceeding six months, you will be issued a long-stay visa, equivalent to a residence permit, which will be subject to further formalities on your arrival in France.
Spouse: The dependent will get a visitor’s visa and will not be authorized to work either. They might be authorized to work in the country if their partner/spouse is employed in France.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
- 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 insurance that can cost around 30,000 Euros yearly
- Documents that state the arrangement for accommodation during your studies
- If you have enrolled in a course taught in French, you will need proficiency certificate for the French language
- Evidence of payment of Visa fees
- If applicable, proof of civil status
Working during studies
International students on a student visa in France are allowed to work for a total of 964 hours per year, or 60% of the regular working hours in France. Part-time work would not be enough to cover all of the expenses, but it might be used as a supplement.
Student eligibility requirements
- Students must be at least 18 years old.
- Students can get a short-stay visa if they take a training course that lasts less than three months.
- Students will be awarded a temporary long-stay visa if their training course lasts more than three months or six months, and they will not need to complete any further paperwork when they arrive in France.
- Students will be awarded a long-stay visa, which is equal to a residency permit, if their training or course lasts longer than six months.
Options for post-study visas
Bachelor degree holders can only stay in France after completing their studies if they have a work visa; students studying Masters degrees in France can apply for and receive a temporary residency permit – APS (Autorisation Provisioire de Séjour) for a duration of 24 months.
If you have a master’s, PhD, or post-graduate degree from a French university, you can acquire a two-year Schengen visa extension.
If a student can find work that pays more than 1.5 times the minimum salary, he or she is qualified to apply for a Work Permit, which is the first step toward obtaining a European Union Blue Card (Permanent Residence).
FRANCE STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENTS:
- 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 insurance that can cost around € 311 – € 714 yearly
- Documents that state the arrangement for accommodation during your study in France
- If you have enrolled in a course taught in French, you will need proficiency certificate for the French language
- Evidence of payment of Visa fees
- If applicable, proof of civil status
WORKING IN FRANCE DURING YOUR STUDIES
The law authorizes foreign students on a France study visa to work 964 hours during the year, which corresponds to 60% of normal working hours in France (except for Algerian nationals whose working time is limited to 50% of normal working hours in France). Part-time work will not be sufficient to cover all your expenses and should be considered as a secondary source of income.
AFTER YOU GRADUATE
- Upon completing the studies in France, Bachelor degree holders can stay in France only if they have a work permit; the students pursuing Masters from France can apply and get a temporary residence permit – APS (Autorisation Provisioire de Séjour), for a period of 24 months.
- Students can get 2 years extended Schengen visa if they hold a masters or PhD or post-graduate degree from one of the universities on France
- If a student is able to find employment that is with more than 1.5 times of the minimum wage guarantee, s/he is eligible to apply for a Work Permit which is the primary requirement to get a European Union Blue Card (Permanent Residence).
TOP UNIVERSITIES TO STUDY IN FRANCE
| QS World University Rankings | University Name | QS World University Rankings | University Name |
| 50 | Université PSL | 299 | Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne |
| 65 | Ecole Polytechnique | 305 | Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan |
| 75 | Sorbonne University | 348 | Université de Strasbourg |
| 137 | CentraleSupélec | 422 | Université de Montpellier |
| 153 | École Normale Supérieure de Lyon | 453 | Aix-Marseille University |
| 221 | Sciences Po | 478 | Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon (INSA) |
| 239 | Université Paris-Sud | 489 | University of Bordeaux |
| 263 | Ecole des Ponts ParisTech | 521-530 | Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse III |
| 289 | Université Grenoble-Alpes | 531-540 | University Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas |
| 295 | Université Diderot Paris 7 | 571-580 | Université Paris Descartes |
How to Apply for Student Visa for France from India?
To apply for the French student permit, the application has to be made online. However, the submission is done offline at one of the French appointed VACs (Visa Application Centre). The embassies or consulates do not accept applications directly. Before starting the application, it is necessary to check if you meet the eligibility conditions for the student category. You may then proceed to make the application as follows-
- Obtain all the necessary documents you will need for the student application.
- Create an account at the French visa application portal known as French-Visas.
- Fill in the online application form with all the required details. You must mention your purpose as ‘study’ and the required type as ‘short term’ or ‘long term’ according to your requirement.
- You will then receive an email of the completed application form. Take a print out of this.
- Proceed to book your visa appointment for the document and biometric submission at a VAC. You can do this by calling the VAC, or online by visiting their website. Note that you must choose a VAC as per your jurisdiction (state of residence for past 6 months).
- With the appointment confirmation receipt, completed application form, and the documents, attend the appointment in person. You will have to submit the documents and a biometric at the centre, along with the fees.
Ensure that you submit genuine documents. Any misinformation or fake documentation can cause a visa rejection.
Keep in mind that if you have submitted your biometrics in the SIS (Schengen Information System) in the past 5 years, you do not have to submit them again. In this case, you do not have to be at the appointment in person. You may send the application through someone else. In certain special cases, you may be required to attend an interview.
Eligibility of France Student Visa
To be able to apply for any of the student permits, you must meet the following eligibility conditions –
- You must be present in India if you are applying from within. If you are an Indian resident in another country, you may be able to apply for the visa in that country itself.
- You must possess an Indian passport valid for at least 3 months from the validity.
- Your primary motive behind the visit must be to take part in academic activities such as study, research, internship, training.
- You must have a registration letter from the educational institution in France enrolling you.
- You must possess sufficient funds as per the requirements to cover your stay in France.
- You can apply for the long term permit only if France is your study destination.
Documents Required for France Student Visa
As per the France student visa requirements, the following documents must be submitted at the VAC for completing your application –
- A valid passport –
- It must contain at least 2 blank pages.
- It should not be older than 10 years.
- It should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
- Old passports, if any, are to be attached.
- 2 passport size photographs
- Confirmed flight tickets
- Proof of accommodation – hotel bookings, an invitation letter from the host, etc
- Travel medical insurance covering 30000 Euros
- Educational documents (long term)
- Financial documents to show sufficient funds such as –
- Bank statements
- Bank guarantees
- Scholarship documents
- Certificate of Registration or Pre-registration at a French institute stating the duration of the course
- Internship agreement, if applicable
Conclusion
Once you have submitted the application at a VAC, it is then sent to the respective French diplomatic mission for processing based on the jurisdiction. According to the jurisdiction, they are sent to the Embassy of France in New Delhi or one of the Consulates of France in Bangalore, Kolkata, Puducherry, or Mumbai.
If the French Schengen student visa has been approved, you can collect your passport from the VAC, or have it delivered to you for an additional charge.