Mission France Student Visa: Your Essential Checklist!
Team Niyo
Overview
The France student visa is a vital document that allows international students to pursue their academic dreams in one of Europe’s most culturally rich and academically esteemed countries. Obtaining this visa involves a comprehensive application process, with different categories based on the length and nature of the chosen program. Studying in France offers students a chance to immerse themselves in a diverse and captivating environment, fostering personal growth and providing opportunities for academic excellence.
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Overview
The France student visa is a vital document that allows international students to pursue their academic dreams in one of Europe’s most culturally rich and academically esteemed countries. Obtaining this visa involves a comprehensive application process, with different categories based on the length and nature of the chosen program. Studying in France offers students a chance to immerse themselves in a diverse and captivating environment, fostering personal growth and providing opportunities for academic excellence.
Team Niyo
Bonjour, Bienvenue en France!
A croissant and hot chocolate for breakfast, a pain au chocolat for a late morning snack, streetside views of some of the world’s best architecture for lunch and some good old Ratatouille by the Eiffel Tower for dinner.
Studying in France sounds like quite the dream, doesn’t it? And if you’re someone who’s fascinated by fashion and football (where are the PSG supporters at?), France is truly the place to be for you.
Now here comes the best part: You don’t need to be on vacation to be able to do these things. With a France student visa you can pursue a full-time course in France and have the time of your life in the country that is home to some of the best food, architecture and footballers.
The opportunities in France are endless – there’s the Paris Fashion Week, iconic architectural sites such as Notre-Dame de Paris and the Palace of Versailles and some of the world’s best art at the Louvre Museum (that’s where the original Mona Lisa painting is!).
What’s more, Paris is set to host the Olympic Games in July 2024. If you’ve got a France student visa on your hands, you will get to see India’s Neeraj Chopra defend his Olympic gold medal, and oh, there’s the French Open as well, where Rafael Nadal is expected to make a comeback next year.
Long story short – there’s something for everyone in France. Whether you’re a foodie, an art connoisseur, a fashion enthusiast or a sports aficionado, France has something for you.
How do we get there? We start by choosing a French university to study in, meet the France student visa requirements, grab a France student visa and march forth!
All set to study in France? Enjoy a seamless application process on the Niyo Global app.
Unveiling the Options: Types of France Visas
- Short-Stay Visa
- Long-Stay Student Visa (VLS-TS)
Budgeting for Your Visa Expedition: France Student Visa Cost
The first step towards applying for a France student visa is to enrol yourself in a French university and receive a letter of acceptance from them. Once you’ve got that, the rest of the process works out smoothly.
As per the France Student Visa Process, you will first need to make an online visa application, which will be followed by an in-person interview. Post this comes one of the main France student visa requirements. You will have to submit your documents and biometric information at one of the many VFS Global Centres in India. More on this later.
The advantage of applying for a visa to this European nation is that the France student visa cost is not very expensive – the France study visa would cost you a grand total of ₹12,243. Here’s the breakdown of the France student visa cost:
- ₹9,113 (€99) is the visa application fee
- ₹2,973 (€32.30) is a service fee that is to be paid to VFS Global service
- VFS also charges an additional ₹165 as a convenience fee
As per the France student visa financial requirements, you will also be required to show a financial guarantee that you will be able to cover your tuition and accommodation fees for the duration of your course. Plus, you will also need to furnish health insurance that covers you in the event of any medical emergencies. There’s no holding you back once you meet the France study visa requirements!
Cracking the Code: France Student Visa Requirements
Now that we know the France student visa cost let’s look at how to achieve the France study visa requirements. Paying the visa application fee and securing an appointment at a VFS Global Centre is of prime importance, and you need to ensure you have all the necessary documents for a hassle-free experience. Here’s a checklist of all the documents you will need to meet the France student visa requirements:
- Copy of the French visa application form
- Two recent passport-size photos
- A passport that is valid for at least three months beyond your stay in France and copies of previous visas, if any
- An official letter of acceptance from the French university you have applied to
- Show financial proof which suggests that you will be able to meet your tuition and accommodation expenses during the course of your degree (₹56,528/€615 per month). This is important to meet the France student visa financial requirements.
- Copy of your ticket from India to France (and back if you’re going on a short-term visa)
- Documents that detail where you will be staying in France (hostel, personal accommodation, etc.)
- Proof of medical insurance
- French language proficiency certificate, if you’ve opted for a course that is taught in French
- Transcripts of your previous educational qualifications such as Grade 10, 12, undergraduate and diplomas
- No-objection certificate from school or university, irrespective of the type of visa in France you choose
- Proof of payment of French visa fees
- A copy of your resume
This exhaustive list of documents is all you will require to achieve the France student visa requirements. While we’re at it, let’s also delve into the cost of tuition fees in France. One of the crucial steps in the France Student Visa Process is to choose which type of university you want to study in.
Private institutions in France cost the same as they would cost anywhere else in the world- between the range of ₹2,76,000 (€3,000) to ₹9,20,000 (€10,000) per year. Each institution has different tuition fees, so make sure to check the website of the university you’re keen to study at. As per Campus France, as many as 18% of students in France attend private institutions. These private universities are not founded or funded by the government.
Public universities, on the other hand, are a lot more feasible. The French government largely subsidises education if you have a France student visa.
For Indian students, who are essentially non-EU students, the government will cover two-thirds of the cost of your course. That would mean that you would have to pay a registration fee of around ₹2,55,000 (€2,770) per year for a bachelor’s degree and ₹3,55,000 (€3,770) annually for a Master’s course.
If you’re falling short of funds, you can always opt for a bank loan to achieve the France student visa financial requirements.
Make your dreams of studying in France come true with Niyo Global Travel mode!
Navigating the Visa Voyage: France Student Visa Process
The France Student Visa Process is easy and not a long-drawn process, which is also among the reasons why so many people flock here to pursue their higher studies. What makes it easier is that there are no specific France study visa IELTS requirements.
Foreign students from 43 countries, including Indians, must apply for a visa to be eligible to study in France. What are the visa requirements for France, you ask? We got you covered.
- Apply for admission to a French university and collect the acceptance letter from the institution.
- Ensure your passport is updated and valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay in France.
- Keep a folder of all the documents mentioned above
- Make an account on Campus France, pay the fee, submit your visa application and upload all the necessary documents onto the platform. Campus France will then give you an appointment date and time
- Attend the interview at the consulate/embassy and ensure you carry all your original documents along with photocopies for verification purposes
- Once you’re done with step #5, you will receive an appointment with VFS Global
- These appointments are hard to come by, so make sure you’re on time for your appointment and submit all your documents along with your passport. You will also be asked to complete the biometric registration here
- Now comes the most challenging part – waiting! You can track your application online, but you will have to wait until your passport is delivered home to know whether you’ve got the visa or not.
- If you see that tiny sticker on your passport, then congratulations to you! You’ve got a France student visa.
- You’re now ready to travel to France and begin a new phase of life.
- If you wish to extend your visa, then you should apply for a residence permit within the first two months of your stay in France. Just ensure you are in a position to meet the France student visa financial requirements.
Now that you know what are the visa requirements for France, let’s look at the France student visa processing time in India.
France Student Visa Processing Time in India
The France student visa processing time in India for both types of visa in France could take anywhere between 15 to 20 working days from the day you applied to the VFS Global centre. However, this may not always be the case.
The France student visa processing time in India could increase to even a few months depending on the time of the year and the volume of applications the consulate receives. Your student visa for France from India is bound to be delayed by a few weeks if you apply during the peak period – between April and July – solely due to the volume of applications. It is recommended to apply for your short-term or long-stay student visa in France at least 3-4 months before your intended date of travel to avoid any last-minute stress and running around.
Post-Study Options in France
And there we have it – a complete step-by-step guide from knowing what are the visa requirements for France to getting a France student visa! Time flies when you’re having fun, and you’re bound to have fun in a country like France. But it’s also important to plan ahead and secure your future once you finish your course.
France has always been a top destination for students from all corners of the globe. Whether you wish to pursue cutting-edge research, immerse yourself in the arts, or gain expertise in a specialised field, the country offers a diverse range of programs to cater to your academic interests.
While the average duration of courses largely depends on the university, a Bachelor’s course typically takes three years to complete. However, there are exceptions. Courses in specific fields, such as architecture or engineering, may go on for four years. Similarly, Master’s degrees are usually completed in two years, but some programs, such as a post-graduate diploma, can get over in a year.
Some of the most sought-after courses in France include engineering, management, arts, fashion and design. The Normal Superior School Ile-de-France and ParisTech are some of the top colleges, while Institut Français de la Mode and International Fashion Academy are among the top colleges for fashion-related programs. If you’re looking to specialise in art, then the Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) and Sorbonne Universite are very popular.
Oh, and France is not a great place just to study, but to work too! France’s work-life balance rates are among the best in the world, and employees work a maximum of 35 hours a week. Sample this: A law was introduced in 2000 to reduce the statutory working week in France from 39 hours to 35 hours for companies with more than 20 employees!
If you have a long-stay student visa in France, then you can stay in France for up to two years after your graduation, during which you can hunt for the perfect job. And when you do land that job, you can ask your employer to sponsor your visa. But there’s one condition: this applies only to students who have pursued long-term courses such as Bachelor’s or Master’s.
A study conducted by the Office of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) shows that France is below the OECD average when it comes to hours worked. Sounds dreamy, doesn’t it? With top companies in France, such as LVMH, L’Oreal, Hermes, Dior and TotalEnegeries, France is a paradise to study and work in.
You can also surrender your France student visa and apply for French citizenship by naturalisation. It’s a bit complicated, but here are the criteria you will be required to meet:
- Should have lived in France for a minimum duration of five uninterrupted years
- Have a good knowledge of the French language (minimum of B1 level)
- Be aware of French history, culture, and business
- Have a Stable and sufficient income to support yourself and your household
- Have no criminal convictions
The possibilities are truly endless in France. You can enter on a student visa for France from India, find yourself a job and even apply for French citizenship if you yearn to build your future in and around the City of Love.
As Katrina Kaif says in Zindagi Na Milegi Doobara, “Seize the day, my friend”, and go on and take the first step by applying for a France student visa today!
To Wrap it Up!
If you’re not convinced already, let us reiterate: France is a multi-cultural, thriving country with something for everyone. Whether you want to study and pursue a career in arts, fashion, engineering, or design, France has it all. The first step towards realising this dream is by applying to colleges in France and getting yourself a France study visa. We’ve listed the documents required for a France student visa above, so that should make it easy for you to receive a France student visa and move to this beautiful country. If you need a quick recap on what are the visa requirements for France, simply scroll up.
Also, there are no specific France study visa IELTS requirements, which saves you the trouble of taking one more test. However, make sure to check with your university because some courses may require you to take certain tests.
Among the biggest advantages of a student visa for France from India is that the tuition fee is not exorbitant and fairly easy on the pocket. A degree from a private institution will cost you a maximum of ₹10 Lakh, while a public university will not be more than ₹4 lakh a year. Plus, you can stay back for two years if you have a long-stay student visa in France and find yourself the perfect job.
What makes studying and working in France even more life-changing is that you even have the option of applying for French citizenship and building your base in France. Picture this: you get to work in and around the Eiffel Tower, and you can drive down to every part of Europe over the weekends (Schengen visa, yay!) and catch some of the world’s biggest fashion and sporting events in your city!
What are you waiting for? Hurry up and sign up for a France student visa today!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I get a student visa for France?
Applying for a student visa for France from India is no tough task. You can get a France student visa by meeting the France study visa requirements. The process begins with getting admission to a French university and is followed by applying for a visa on Campus France. Once you’ve got the clearance from there, you have to submit all the necessary documents required for France student visa at a VFS Global Centre to obtain a visa.2. How much is France student visa for Indians?
The France student visa cost is fairly nominal. The France study visa costs a total of ₹12,243. Here’s the breakdown of that – ₹9,113 (€99) is the visa application fee, while the balance ₹2,973 (€32.30) is a service fee that is to be paid to VFS Global service. VFS also charges an additional ₹165 as a convenience fee.3. What are the visa requirements for France?
The documents required for France student visa are as follows:- A copy of the French visa application form
- Two recent passport-size photos
- Valid passport and copies of previous visas, if any
- An official letter of acceptance from the French university you have applied to
- Financial proof which suggests you will be able to meet your tuition and accommodation expenses during the course of your degree (Rs 56,528/€615 per month)
- Copy of your ticket from India to France (and back if you’re going on a short-term visa)
- Documents that detail where you will be staying in France (hostel, personal accommodation, etc.)
- Proof of medical insurance
- French language proficiency certificate, if you’ve opted for a course that is taught in French
- Transcripts of your previous educational qualifications such as Grades 10, 12, undergraduate and diplomas
- No-objection certificate from school or university
- Proof of payment of French visa fees
- A copy of your resume
