| Updated On - May 6, 2026
France attracts around 4 lakh international students annually, with affordable tuition fees starting at €2,770 (₹3,08,411) per year. France gives a student visa depending on the duration of the course. There are two visa types that are offered to Indian students who are planning to attend French universities.
The two types of visas are:
- Visa de Court Séjour (Short-Stay Study Visa), and
- Visa de Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour (Long-stay visa).
Also read - Study in France: Study Destination Guide for International Students.
Types of Student Visa for France
Students can get a visa depending on the duration of their course. They can get the visa according to their course duration, which can be short or long.
- Short-Stay Study Visa (Visa de Court Séjour), which is valid for 90 days. It is non-renewable and does not grant long-term residence rights.
- Long-stay study visa (VLS-TS), which is valid for more than 90 days to 1 year and also serves as a residence permit. The visa needs to be renewed if the course duration is more than a year. This also allows part-time work of up to 964 hours per year, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Overseas France.
Note: France also offers a temporary long stay visa under VLS-TS called Visa de Long Séjour Temporaire (VLS-T). This enables the student to live in France for more than 90 days and less than 6 months. This visa doesn't permit working rights or residency rights to the students. This visa cannot be renewed.
| Type of Visa | Duration | Application Cost In Euro | Application Cost in INR | Application Process Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-stay Visa | 3 months or less than 3 months | €50 | ₹8,907 | 2-3 weeks |
| Long-stay Visa | 4 to 12 months | €50 | ₹8,907 | 3-6 weeks |
Note: €1 = ₹111.34 is the currency conversion rate used all over the article as of 2nd May, 2026.
What is VFS?
Visa Facilitation Services Global, or VFS, is a private outsourcing and tech company that manages visa application centres for the French embassy. The primary role of VFS is to take biometrics, application checking documents and forwarding the documents to the French consulate. Applicants need to pay a €22 service fee (₹2,449), which is unavoidable. It is a mandatory service which works on the application process.
Also check: Study in France
List of Best Universities in France
France Student Visa Requirements
Students should meet the terms and eligibility criteria for the application to be successfully accepted. The eligibility criteria specify the admission details of the students, proof of finance and health insurance. The eligibility criteria are as follows:-
- Admission to a recognised French University or institution.
- Offer letter (Lettre d’admission) from an institution which needs to be approved by the French government. Offer letters produced by Paris` Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI) programmes are also acceptable.
- Should provide proof of funds, financial support, and a source of funds to pay their fees, cost of living, accommodation, food, and travel.
- The student should have a minimum financial support of €615 (₹68,466) per month, €7,380 per year (₹8,21,593). scholarships, bank statements, or guarantors can ensure the same.
- Provide academic qualification records as proof of their eligibility for the chosen course. An entrance exam scorecard or an invitation works for the same.
- Health insurance is one of the major documents one should hold for a long-term visa plan. The cost for health insurance can range between €120 to €360 per year (₹13,360 - ₹40,082)
Also check: Studying in France Costs Indian Students.
Documents Required for France Student Visa
To apply for a student visa in France, the student must hold the necessary documents. Here's the full list of documents for Indian students applying for a student visa in France.
- Acceptance letter - Should hold an official letter of acceptance or pre-registration from BSBI or any reputed French institution.
- Valid Visa - The visa must be valid beyond the duration of stay in France.
- Statement of Purpose - Must provide a statement of purpose at the time of application submission to the Campus Centre or while creating an Études en France (EEF) account, explaining why s/he has chosen a particular course and institution.
- Visa application form - The visa application form must be submitted either online or offline, duly filled out and signed by the student.
- Financial proof - Must provide financial proof, such as scholarships, bank statements, or guarantors, which ensures the financial stability of the student during their stay in France.
- Proof of accommodation - Must provide proof of their accommodation for the first few days after arriving in France. It can be a hotel booking slip or a lease of guarantee that can help.
- Medical insurance - Need to hold medical insurance, which can cover their medical treatment expenses.
- Flight tickets - Must present a reserved flight ticket travelling to France.
- Proof of visa fee payment - Must attach the receipt of visa fee payment.
- Passport-size photographs - Must have a recent passport-size photograph.
Process of Student Visa Application
To get a student visa, an applicant needs to enrol themselves at the Campus Centre and get the biometrics done by VFS. An applicant needs to follow the following steps to get their visa:-
Step 1: Get Admission – Apply to a recognised French university and secure your admission, after which you will receive the Attestation d’acceptation (acceptance letter) required for further steps.
Step 2: Create Campus France Account (EEF) – Register on Campus France, fill in your student profile, and upload all required documents such as your passport, academic records, SOP, and admission letter. The process requires a fee of approximately ₹18,000 to ₹25,000.
Step 3: Complete Campus France Process – Your application will be reviewed by Campus France, and you may be required to attend an interview, after which you will receive the Campus France Attestation (NOC), which is mandatory for your visa application.
Step 4: Apply for a Visa Online – Apply through France-Visas by filling out the visa application form and booking your appointment, while paying the visa fee of €50 (₹5,550).
Step 5: Submit Documents at VFS – Visit VFS Global to submit your documents and provide biometrics, where you will also pay service charges of around ₹2,000 to ₹3,000.
Step 6: Wait for Visa Decision – After submission, your application will be processed by the French Embassy, and the decision is usually made within 2 to 6 weeks.
Step 7: Travel to France – Once your visa is approved, you will receive the visa sticker in your passport and can travel to France before your course starts.
Step 8: Validate Your Visa in France – After arriving in France, you must validate your visa online by paying a fee of around €50 to €60 (₹ 5,550 - 6,660), after which your visa will act as your residence permit.
Earning Opportunities for Indian Students in France
France allows students to work and get minimum wages according to the National Minimum Wage Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel de Croissance (SMIC) of France. Students can stay back in France after a year of their graduation to look for employment according to the Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour (APS) - Provisional Residency Permit. APS is a temporary stay permit given to those students who have earned a master`s degree or higher.
According to official French government data on the minimum wage SMIC, students who work the permitted 20 hours per week can earn approximately €240.40 per week, which amounts to ₹26,774. Students can work for 964 hours a year, earning up to €11,587 (₹1,289,518).
Indian students can choose between a short-stay visa or a long-stay VLS-TS visa, both costing €50 (₹5,550), based on course duration. A long-stay visa allows part-time work of up to 20 hours per week, with earnings up to €240.40 weekly (₹26,774). The minimum financial requirement is €615 per month (₹55,000–₹60,000), with health insurance costing €120–€360 per year.
Overall, with controlled living costs, work opportunities, and a 12-month APS stay-back option after graduation, France offers a practical and financially manageable pathway for Indian students.
FAQs
Ques. How much bank balance is required for a French Student Visa in 2026?
Ans. The French government has kept it mandatory to have financial support for a student visa. The student must have €615 per month (₹55,000 - ₹60,000), excluding tuition fees, to cover their expense annually.
Ques. Is A2-level French mandatory for the Talent Passport in 2026?
Ans. In 2026, the French government made it mandatory for students to prove A2 French to transform a post-visa to a multi-year residence permit.
Ques. Can I bring my spouse/dependents on a French Student Visa?
Ans. The French government allows highly skilled students pursuing a PhD or another course to apply for family reunification.
Ques. Do I need IELTS for a French student visa?
Ans. The French officials have not made it mandatory for a student visa. However, if the student is specifically looking for an English-language course, the IELTS score is mandatory.
Ques. What is the minimum salary to convert a Student Visa to a Work Visa in 2026?
Ans. To convert a student visa into a work visa, the applicant must earn approximately €2,600–2,700 gross per month (₹2.90-3 lakhs), at least 1.5 times the SMIC. Along with that, a proof by the employer that he couldn't find a French person for the job.
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