| Updated On - May 11, 2026
The Campus France fee is a mandatory processing fee charged by Campus France (the official French government agency) for processing student visa applications through the Études en France (EEF) platform. For Indian students, the Campus France fee is ₹18,500 (approximately €220) as of October 2024. This fee is NOT an application fee to universities. It is a separate administrative fee for visa processing.
The Campus France fee is MANDATORY for all Indian students applying for student visas to study in France for more than 90 days. The fee is NON-REFUNDABLE under any circumstances, even if your visa is rejected or you decide not to go to France. Payment must be made online through the official Campus France India portal after submitting your EEF application. Your application will NOT be reviewed or processed until the fee is paid. Campus France fee is separate from university tuition fees, CVEC fee (€105), and visa fee (€99). Campus France fees and university application fees are completely different and separate.
Also check,
- France Student Visa: Types, Fee, Requirements
- France Raises Non-EU Tuition 16x from September 2026
- Study in France: Find Universities, Costs, and Courses
What is the Campus France Fee?
The Campus France fee is an administrative processing fee charged by Campus France for reviewing and processing your student visa application through the Études en France (EEF) platform. Campus France fee is a mandatory charge that covers the cost of reviewing your application file, conducting your academic interview, and processing your visa documentation through the official French government system. It is collected by Campus France, which is the official French government agency responsible for managing international student admissions and visa procedures.
What Campus France Fee Covers
- Application file review: Verification of your academic documents and eligibility
- Academic interview: Conducting your mandatory interview with the Campus France advisor
- Visa documentation processing: Preparing your file for visa submission
- Administrative services: Handling your application through the EEF platform
- File management: Maintaining your digital files and records
Important Clarification: What Campus France Fee Does NOT Cover
- NOT university application fee: This is NOT a fee to apply to universities
- NOT tuition fee: This is NOT your university tuition or registration fee
- NOT visa fee: This is separate from the French visa fee (€99)
- NOT CVEC fee: This is separate from the student life contribution (€105)
- NOT VFS fee: This is separate from VFS service charges
Is Campus France Fee Necessary for Indian Students?
YES, Campus France fee is MANDATORY and NECESSARY for all Indian students applying for student visas to study in France.
Why is the Campus France Fee Mandatory
- Legal requirement: All students studying in France for more than 90 days MUST follow the Campus France procedure
- Government regulation: Campus France is the official French government agency managing international student admissions
- Visa prerequisite: You CANNOT apply for a French student visa without completing the Campus France procedure
- No exceptions: There are NO exemptions for Indian students; the fee is mandatory for all
- Processing requirement: Your application will NOT be reviewed until the fee is paid
Who Does NOT Need to Pay the Campus France Fee?
- Short-stay students: Studying for less than 90 days (Schengen visa)
- Exchange students: Some exchange programs may have exemptions (rare)
- Scholarship holders: Some government-sponsored students may be exempt (check with Campus France)
- French citizens: French nationals do not need to pay
- EU citizens: EU citizens may have different procedures
Campus France Fee Amount for Indian Students
The Campus France fee for Indian students is ₹18,500.
Fee Amount Breakdown
| Fee Component | Amount (INR) | Amount (EUR) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campus France Processing Fee | ₹18,500 | €220 | Mandatory processing fee (as of October 2024) |
| Previous Fee (before Oct 2024) | ₹18,000 | €215 | Fee before the recent increase |
| Fee Variation by Country | Varies | €50–€250 | Different countries pay different amounts |
Total Cost Comparison: Campus France Fee vs Other Costs
| Cost Component | Amount (INR) | Amount (EUR) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campus France Fee | ₹18,500 | €220 | Mandatory processing fee |
| French Visa Fee | ₹10,401 | €99 | Visa application fee (separate) |
| VFS Service Fee | ₹2,311 | €22 | VFS processing fee (separate) |
| CVEC Fee (Annual) | ₹11,000 | €105 | Student life contribution (paid in France) |
| University Tuition (Bachelor's) | ₹2,90,000 | €2,770 | Annual tuition (new rates from 2026) |
| University Tuition (Master's) | ₹3,95,000 | €3,770 | Annual tuition (new rates from 2026) |
| Total Visa-Related Costs | ₹31,212 | €373 | Campus France + Visa + VFS fees |
Also check,
- List of the Best Universities in France
- Public Universities in France 2026: Fees, Rankings
- France and Italy Admission Deadlines till May 25
When to Pay Campus France Fee
Campus France fee must be paid AFTER submitting your EEF application but BEFORE your academic interview.
Timeline for Payment
| Step | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Create EEF Account | Anytime | Register on the Études en France platform |
| 2. Submit EEF Application | Before deadline | Submit your complete application file |
| 3. Pay Campus France Fee | Within the deadline (usually the 12th of the month) | Pay ₹18,500 online |
| 4. Academic Interview | After payment confirmed | Interview scheduled after fee payment |
| 5. Visa Application | After interview | Apply for a visa at the VFS/French consulate |
How to Pay the Campus France Fee
Campus France fee for Indian students is paid exclusively ONLINE through the official Campus France India payment portal.
Step-by-Step Payment Process
- Step 1: Log in to EEF Account – Access your Études en France account on the official portal
- Step 2: Complete Application – Fill and submit your complete EEF application
- Step 3: Get Payment Link – After submission, you'll receive a payment link via email
- Step 4: Visit Payment Portal – Go to payment.ifindia.in (official Campus France India payment portal)
- Step 5: Enter Your Details – Enter your EEF application number and personal details
- Step 6: Select Payment Method – Choose credit card, debit card, or net banking
- Step 7: Make Payment – Pay ₹18,500 online
- Step 8: Save Receipt – Download and save your payment receipt
- Step 9: Upload Receipt – Upload payment receipt on the EEF platform
- Step 10: Confirmation – Wait for payment confirmation (2–3 days)
Payment Methods Accepted
- Credit card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
- Debit card: All Indian bank debit cards
- Net banking: All major Indian banks
- UPI: May be available (check portal)
- No cash payment: Cash payment is NOT accepted
Is Campus France Fee Refundable?
NO, Campus France fee is STRICTLY NON-REFUNDABLE under ANY circumstances.
Official Refund Policy Statement
"Payments are final and not refundable. Any request for an eligible refund must be made within 60 days of payment in writing to the Campus France office. However, the Campus France fee is generally non-refundable under any circumstances, including in case of visa rejection, course deferral, or change of plans."
What Happens If Your Visa is Rejected?
- Fee is NOT refunded: Campus France fee is not refunded if your visa is rejected
- You can reapply: You can reapply in the next cycle, but you must pay the fee again
- No credit: Your previous payment does NOT count as credit for reapplication
- New payment required: You must pay the full ₹18,500 again for reapplication
What happens after you pay the Campus France Fee?
After paying the Campus France fee, your application moves to the next stage of processing.
Timeline After Payment
| Stage | Timeline | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Payment Confirmation | 2–3 days | Campus France confirms your payment |
| 2. Application Review | 3 days (expedited) or 3 weeks (regular) | Campus France reviews your complete file |
| 3. Interview Scheduling | 1–2 weeks after review | You receive an interview appointment date |
| 4. Academic Interview | In-person or online | Interview with Campus France advisor |
| 5. Interview Result | Within 1 week | You receive the interview result (approved/rejected) |
| 6. Visa Application | After approval | You can apply for a visa at the VFS/consulate |
The Campus France fee is a mandatory ₹18,500 processing fee charged by Campus France (French government agency) for reviewing and processing your student visa application through the Études en France platform. It is NOT an application fee to universities; it is a separate administrative fee for visa processing. The Campus France fee is MANDATORY for all Indian students applying for student visas to study in France for more than 90 days.
The fee is NON-REFUNDABLE under any circumstances, even if your visa is rejected or you decide not to go to France. Payment must be made online through the official Campus France India portal (payment.ifindia.in) after submitting your EEF application but before your academic interview. Your application will NOT be reviewed or processed until the fee is paid. Campus France fee is separate from university tuition fees, CVEC fee (€105), visa fee (€99), and VFS service charges. After payment, your file is reviewed, and you'll be scheduled for an academic interview with a Campus France advisor. Plan ahead, pay on time, and keep your payment receipt for your records.
FAQs
Ques. What is the Campus France fee, and is it the same as the university application fee?
Ans. The Campus France fee is a mandatory processing fee (₹18,500) charged by Campus France (French government agency) for reviewing your student visa application through the Études en France platform. It is NOT the same as a university application fee. The Campus France fee is paid to the French government for visa processing, while the university application fee (if any) is paid directly to the university for admission review. You may need to pay both fees separately. Campus France fee covers the cost of your academic interview, file review, and visa documentation processing.
Ques. Is the Campus France fee mandatory for all Indian students studying in France?
Ans. YES, Campus France fee is MANDATORY for all Indian students applying for student visas to study in France for more than 90 days. There are NO exemptions. All students must follow the Campus France procedure and pay the fee to proceed with their visa application. The only exceptions are students studying for less than 90 days (short-stay Schengen visa) or some government-sponsored scholarship holders (rare). For regular students, the fee is mandatory and non-negotiable.
Ques. Is the Campus France fee refundable if my visa is rejected?
Ans. NO, Campus France fee is STRICTLY NON-REFUNDABLE under ANY circumstances, including if your visa is rejected. The official policy states: "Payments are final and not refundable under any circumstances, including in case of visa rejection, course deferral, or change of plans". If you want to reapply after rejection, you must pay the full ₹18,500 fee again. There is no credit or partial refund available.
Ques. When and how do I pay the Campus France fee?
Ans. Campus France fee must be paid AFTER submitting your EEF application but BEFORE your academic interview, usually by the 12th of the month following application submission. Payment is made EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE through the official Campus France India payment portal (payment.ifindia.in). You can pay using credit card, debit card, or net banking. After payment, you must upload your payment receipt on the EEF platform to declare payment. Payment typically takes 2–3 days to be confirmed by Campus France.
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