France Student Visa for Indians

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About France Student Visa

Students in France benefit from a strong educational framework that includes access to highly regarded institutions, cutting-edge research facilities, and a variety of academic disciplines, all set within a rich cultural context.

Here are some basic facts about France that you may like to know.

Category	Details
Currency	Euro (€) (EUR 1 = INR 91.68)
Language	French
Time Zone	Central European Time (CET, UTC+1)
Popular Tourist Destinations	Paris, French Riviera, Provence, Loire Valley, Normandy
France Student Visa Processing Time	15-45 days

Documents Required for a France Student Visa

When you apply for a France student visa from India, you need to prove that you have the ability and intention to stay and study in France. For example, you need to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself financially. You also need to prove that you are enrolled into a study course there.

France Short-Stay Student Visa

Here's a look at the documents needed for a Schengen Visa for a short stay in France.

Document	Details
Travel Document (Passport)	Must be issued within the last 10 years, have at least two blank pages, and be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen Area.
ID Photograph	Recent passport-sized photo.
Proof of Residency	If you are not a national of your country of residence, provide evidence of legal residency, such as a residence permit.
Official Travel Document	If applicable, provide a note verbale for official travel documents.
Purpose of Stay	Documents related to the purpose of your stay, such as: 1. A letter from the educational institution or, 2. For student competitions, a pre-registration certificate or notice for exams.
Round-Trip Ticket or Itinerary	Booking confirmation for your round-trip flight or travel itinerary, except for Student Competition entries.
Proof of Enrollment	A certificate of enrollment from a higher education institution or proof of your educational stay is required. For student competitions or specific countries, provide relevant documentation like a pre-registration certificate or notice of exam.
Proof of Funds	Certificate indicating the amount and duration of any scholarship received.
Accommodation	Proof of accommodation such as hotel reservation, rental agreement, or other suitable documentation.
Travel Health Insurance	A copy of your France travel medical insurance policy, with coverage of at least EUR 30,000, including medical and hospitalisation expenses and repatriation costs for the entire Schengen stay.

France Long-Stay Visa for Students

To stay in France for longer, you need to get a Long-stay visa. You must provide the following additional documents for the visa.

Document	Details
Purpose of Travel/Stay	For students following the EEF-Etudes en France procedure, a pre-registration certificate with the EEF ID number is required. For others, provide a pre-registration or registration certificate from a higher education or training institution.
Previous Degree	Provide details of the last completed degree, if applicable, especially for countries not following the EEF-Etudes en France procedure.
Proof of Funds	Evidence of a minimum monthly income of EUR 615 is required. You can submit: 1. A scholarship certificate. 2. A bank statement from a French account. 3. proof of permanent and irrevocable transfer, or 4. An undertaking from a financial guarantor with proof of reliable income and a copy of their ID.
Accommodation	A hotel reservation. A rental agreement A sworn statement or undertaking from a host (institution or private individual), or A detailed explanatory letter from the student on how accommodation is arranged.

Types of France Student Visa

Depending on the duration of your course, select the France student visa type that suits your needs. Here's a summary of various France student visa types that are available to Indian students. This summary includes the validity or maximum permitted stay as well.

Visa Types	Descriptions	Maximum Permitted Stay
Short Stay Schengen Visa	Allows you to stay in France for a short-term study course not exceeding 90 days.	Up to 90 days.
Long Stay Visa	Allows you to stay and study in France for longer than 90 days.	More than 90 days up to the duration of your course.

Visa Guide

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Applying for a France Student Visa

Learn how to apply for a France student visa with this detailed step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Research and Determine Visa Type

Start by gathering information about the France visa type you need. Use the visa wizard to understand the France student visa requirements, fees, and necessary documents based on your specific situation.

Step 2: Complete the France Student Visa Application

Fill out the visa application form on the VFS Global website and pay the required visa fees online.

Step 3: Schedule an Appointment

Book an appointment with the visa application centre through the VFS Global website or by calling the relevant VFS Global call centre at the phone numbers mentioned on the official website.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Attend the VFS Center on your appointment date to submit your application in person. Bring the following:

A printout of your appointment confirmation letter.
A file containing all required documents, organised in the order listed on the checklist.
Payment for visa processing fees. If your application is incomplete, you can choose not to submit it until you have all the necessary documents and reschedule a new appointment without additional fees. If you submit an incomplete application, you will need to sign an acknowledgement form for missing documents. Note that submitting a complete application does not guarantee visa issuance.

Step 5: Biometric Data Collection

During your appointment, your photograph and fingerprints will be taken at the biometric booth.

Step 6: Track Your Application

After submission, monitor the progress of your application on the VFS Global website.

Step 7: Collect Your Passport

Passports can only be collected by the visa applicant or an authorised representative. Third parties are not permitted to collect them.

France Student Visa Fees

Your France student visa fee is the non-refundable cost of applying for your visa. You must pay this fee while submitting your application. The amount depends on the type of visa you choose.

Visa Type	Visa Fees
Short Stay Schengen Visa for Students	Free
Long-Stay Visa for Students	EUR 99 (INR 8871)

*Visa fee subject to exchange rate fluctuations

How to Track the Status of a France Student Visa?

You can track your France student visa status through VFS Global, the official visa application centre. Here are the steps that you need to follow.

Visit the website of VFS Global.
Locate the 'Track Your Application' option and click on it.
Enter the application number and your last name in the correct columns.
Submit the form with a captcha code to view your France student visa status.

FAQs

Q1: What is the average France student visa processing time?

Ans: The average France student visa processing time ranges between 15-45 days.
Q2: Am I allowed to work in France while studying there?

Ans: Yes, you are allowed to work in France while studying there for 964 hours, i.e., 60% of the normal working hours in France.
Q3: Can I travel to other Schengen member countries using my France student visa?

Ans: Yes, you can visit other Schengen countries using your Schengen visa as well as French Long-stay Visa.
Q4: Can the visa centre deliver my passport at home after approval of the visa?

Ans: Yes, you can opt for home or office delivery of your passport by courier for an additional fee of INR 300.
Q5: Can someone accompany me for the biometrics appointment during the France visa application process?

Ans: No. As per the security rules, only the applicant can enter the visa application centre on the date of the appointment.