Student VISA

France Student Visa Requirements: Age Limit, Financial Requirements, Documents Required for France Student Visa

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Tumul Buch
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France is home to more than 3,500 higher education institutions with a diverse range of subjects. It is considered to be one of the best countries to study in Europe. France student visa is like a green card for your entry to France, and France study visa requirements for Indian students are not too different from other countries. 

Depending on your nationality, your academic conditions, and the length of your stay, you might be able to obtain a student visa to study in France. This blog will be your road to all the essential France student visa requirements for Indian citizens, including financial requirements, language requirements, and a complete France student visa checklist!

Table of Contents

  1. France Student Visa Types 
  2. France Student Visa Age Limit 
  3. France Student Visa Requirements 
  4. France Student Visa Documents Checklist 
  • France Student Visa Types 

The France student visa rules are entirely dependent upon the duration of your study in France. There are different types of student visas for studying in France, and the France study visa requirements for Indian students depends on the type of visa you’ve applied for. 

The 3 major types of France study visas have been tabulated below: 

Short stay Schengen-visa (visa de court séjour pour études)

  • Study period shorter than 3 months
  • For short-term study programs or language courses
  • Free of charge, residence permit is not required

Entrance exam visa (étudiant concours)

  • Entitles you to travel to France to take any entrance exam
  • If you clear it, you can apply for a long-stay visa
  • Only granted if the results of the exam or interview are declared within three months

Long-stay visa with residence permit (visa de long séjour études VLS-TS)

  • Allows you to study in France between 3 to 6 months
  • Acts as a residence permit
  • Can be renewed through your university two months before expiry

Check Out: Steps to Apply for a French Student Visa 

France Student Visa Age Limit

One of the key France student visa requirements for Indian citizens is age limit. To avail of a France student visa, you need to be at least 18 years of age. You must also have already chosen your program or studies in France. 

Apart from this, there is no such upper limit to your studies in France. Anyone can apply for any of the programs in a French government-recognized university, and complete their France study visa requirements. 

Suggested: Know Everything about the Post-Study Work Permit in France! 

France Student Visa Requirements 

The long-stay visa counting as a “residence permit” for students (visa long séjour valant titre de séjour "étudiant", abbreviated to VLS-TS "étudiant") allows you to study in France from four months to one year to pursue education in France. 

The list below covers all the France student visa requirements for Indian citizens. You will also be required to submit all the documents required for France student visa at the French embassy or consulate in your home country during an interview with a consular officer.

Let us briefly go through all the France student visa requirements including France student visa financial requirements, English language requirements, etc: 

Requirement

Details

A valid passport and copies of your previous Visas

To verify your identity and nationality for travelling abroad. Previous visas help the authority understand your history of travel abroad.

2 passport size colored photos

Photographs not older than six months with a size of 35x45mm. The head should take 70-80% of the photo.

Official Letter of Acceptance from one of the French Universities 

This stands as proof of the certainty of your education in France. It is one of  the highly important student visa requirements for France from India. 

Proof of funds

France student visa financial requirements include expenditures during the period of study in France. The funds needed in your bank account are tuition fees for the first semester at your university and a minimum of 615 EUR for the first-month.

Medical Insurance 

This pertains to the Medical coverage valid in France. It would cost around 311 EUR to 714 EUR annually. 

Proof of Accommodation

This confirms the arrangement for accommodation during your study in France. 

Language Requirements

  • If you have been offered a course taught in French, you will need a French-language proficiency certificate. A minimum of level 7 in TEF (Test d’Evaluation de Français) for French courses. Scores of DELF/DALF are also accepted at French universities
  • In case you are offered an English taught course, scores of IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or C1 Advanced would do good. 

A minimum of 6.0 band is needed to avail student visa easily.

Proof of payment (visa fee) 

Document stating that you have paid the visa fee. The invoice of the payment would suffice. It ranges between 50–100 EUR.

Visa Application Form

Long stay application form for the duration of more than 90 days

Departure Tickets

Air flight reservation/ticket with the date of departure

Suggested: How to Apply for a PR in France? 

France Student Visa Documents Checklist

A France student visa documents checklist will help you plan and smoothen your France student visa requirements process. Documents required for France student visa include documents pertaining to financial requirements, language requirements, academic requirements, etc. 

Given below is the France student visa documents checklist: 

  • Long stay application form for the duration of more than 90 days
  • Two passport size photographs 
  • A copy of Passport 
  • A printout of your Campus France NOC
  • Letter of registration from the academic Institution
  • Cover letter explaining the study project and a CV/Resume
  • Proof of funds 
  • Proof of medical insurance with coverage valid in France
  • Copy of your one-way ticket if you are studying in France for more than six months
  • Proof of residency in France for a minimum of three months
  • Copies of academic transcripts 
  • Bachelor's degree (if applicable)
  • Certificate of criminal record

Suggested: All about the France Student Visa Interview 

The French student visa rejection rate for Indian students was observed to be only 8.16% for Bangalore, Kolkata, Pondicherry, Mumbai; and 15.9%. You need to ensure that their paperwork does not have any loopholes as it can result in the rejection of your student visa application. And therefore, all the documents required for France student visa should be literally perfect! For any more doubts and questions regarding France study visa requirements, you can contact our Yocket Counsellors

Frequently Asked Questions about France Student Visa Requirements

How much does a French student visa cost?

How long does a French student visa take?

Is IELTS one of the important student visa requirements for France from India?

How much bank balance is required for France student visa? 

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