French visa

Obtaining a French “student” visa for studying

Foreign students not resident in the European Economic Area must obtain a student visa to enter France. There are different types of visa corresponding to the length of stay in France.

Do you need a student visa?

• You do not need a visa to enter France if you live in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Greece, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, United Kingdom, Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Malta, Romania, Bulgaria, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Monaco, Switzerland, San Marino or the Vatican City.
• You must apply for a student visa if you live in another country.

To obtain your visa, you must also take out insurance cover. This is mandatory. This insurance policy covers you in the event of your being hospitalised and includes repatriation insurance up until you have enrolled in the Student Social Security scheme.
The SMENO "Incoming Cover" insurance is intended for you.

Which “student” visa do you need?

There are different “student” visas corresponding to the length of your stay:

• “Long stay” visa
  This is for students staying longer than 6 months in France. Once a student arrives in France, he or she has two months in which to apply for a residence card (link to the SMENO site page Applying for a residence card) valid one year, renewable, at the Préfecture closest to the student’s domicile.
• “Temporary long stay” visa
  This is for students studying in France for between 3 and 6 months. When the student arrives in France, there is no need to apply for a residence card. The temporary visa cannot be renewed and cannot be transformed into a long stay visa.
• “Student-examination” visa
  This is for students who have to sit an entrance examination in order to be accepted in the higher education establishment. This visa is valid for 90 days maximum; however, if the student is successful in the examination and enrols in the establishment, the “student-examination” visa will be transformed into a long stay visa. Students do not have to return to their own country to change the visa. However, they must apply for a residence card (link to the SMENO site page Applying for a residence card).
• “Short stay” visa
  This is for students staying in France for a maximum of 3 months. When the student arrives in France, there is no need to apply for a residence card. The short stay visa cannot be renewed and cannot be transformed into a long stay visa.

How to apply for a visa?

Visas are delivered by French Embassies and Consulates. For some countries, the application can be made online via the Campus France Agency site at the same time as the preliminary enrolment application request.

• If you live in these countries: Algeria, Benin, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Congo Brazzaville, Korea, United States, Gabon, Guinea, India, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mexico, Czech Republic, Russia, Senegal, Syria, Taiwan, Tunisia, Turkey or Vietnam: you can create your dossier online on the Campus France site (http://www.campusfrance.org/fr/a-etudier/etudes05-1.htm). Once the dossier is complete, take it and all the documents requested to the French Consulate or French Embassy.
• If you live in another country: contact the nearest French Embassy or Consulate.
  List of French Embassies and Consulates
  (http://www.expatries.diplomatie.gouv.fr/default.aspx?SID=12291)

When should you apply?

As early as possible, at least two months before your departure.