Visa Types
Important Links
(Ministry of External Affairs, India)
Tourist Place
Study in France as an
International Student
Apply to study in France as an international student,
extend your study permit and find out about working while
You study or after you graduate.
What Is Schengen Visa?
The Schengen Visa is a type of visa that allows travelers to visit and travel within the Schengen Area, which is a group of 29 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. This means that a person with a Schengen Visa can move freely between these countries without having to go through immigration checks at the border.
To obtain a Schengen Visa, applicants need to apply at the embassy or consulate of the country they intend to visit or spend most of their time in. The visa allows for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period and can be used for tourism, business, or other purposes. However, the visa does not grant the holder the right to work or study in the Schengen Area.
Here Are The Schengen Area Countries As Of March 2024:
Schengen Area signifies a zone where 29 European countries abolished their internal borders(countries of Schengen agreement). Here is the list of the countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia , Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. These countries apply common policies in terms of short-term visas.
Key Points for France Student Visa >>>
Do you need a visa to travel to France?
To visit France, Indians will need a Schengen visa.
France visa application is made online or offline?
This visa application must be made online from the govt official website
Do I need to give biometrics?
Yes, biometrics are required to obtain a visa.
Is there an interview required to obtain a France visa?
No, an interview is not usually required to obtain a France visa, but it may vary. The embassy may interview you by phone or in person.
What is the maximum length of stay permitted on a student visa?
Depending upon your Length of the program
What kind of visa will we acquire from France?
It will be a physical sticker visa, which will be affixed to a page on your passport
Current Visa fees: (Updated on 16-10-2023)
For a study visa- 9 euros (€), or about 8,943 INR.
Step-by-step guide
Let us walk you through the process
Identify visa type:
- When applying for a visa to France as a Schengen State, it is crucial to determine the purpose of your visit, such as tourism, business, or education, to select the appropriate visa type.
- Consult the official website of the French embassy or consulate in your country to access detailed information on visa categories, requirements, and application procedures for Schengen visas.
- Ensure you meet the specific documentation, financial, and eligibility criteria for the chosen visa category to increase the chances of a successful visa application for France as a Schengen State.
Begin your application
To start your visa application process, visit the FRANCE-VISAS website and click on “2. Start your visa application.” You will need to create an account and answer questions online, which will fill in the visa application form for you. After completing the form, a list of required supporting documents and visa fees will be displayed. Then, visit the France-Visas page for information on scheduling an appointment. For information about Schengen Biometric Exemption, click the link provided.
Book your Appointment:
After completing your visa application, the next step is to book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre to provide biometric information, which includes your fingerprints and photo. You can choose a Visa Application Centre that is convenient for you and make an appointment through their online booking system or by contacting their customer service team.
Once you have made the appointment, you will receive an email confirming the details along with a letter of appointment. Please note that if you are traveling with family or a group, you will need to book individual appointments for each member.
Pay your Fees:
To find out how much you need to pay for your visa application, you can click on the link provided on the website which will redirect you to the page displaying the visa application fees. If payment of service fees online is not possible, then you will have to pay both the visa fees and service fees in person at the Visa Application Centre during your appointment.
Visit a Visa Application Centre:
Attend your appointment as planned.
Unless otherwise advised, you must personally deliver your filled-out visa application form to the visa application centre together with your supporting paperwork.
Track your Application:
After you have submitted your visa application, you will receive updates on the status of your application. You will receive an email and an SMS notification when your passport has been returned to the Visa Application Centre. Additionally, you can track the status of your visa application online through the France-Visas website. To access this service, go to “4. Track your application” on the website and enter your reference number and last name.
Collect your passport:
After you apply for a visa and it is processed, you can collect your passport and documents from the Visa Application Centre or have them delivered by courier, depending on your chosen mode of delivery. Third-party collection of documents or passports is generally not allowed, except in specific cases like immediate family members, group collections, or company representatives with authorization. If you choose courier delivery, you cannot change to counter delivery and vice versa. If a letter is included with the passport/envelope, you must collect it in person regardless of your chosen delivery method. You will need to bring a government ID card, the original ICR, and an authorization letter if someone else is collecting on your behalf.
DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
When applying for a study visa to France from India, you will generally need to provide a comprehensive set of documents to support your application. The following checklist covers the most common documents needed:
- Visa Application Form: Completed and signed visa application form, available from the French embassy or consulate website.
- Passport: Original passport with at least two blank pages and a validity of at least three months beyond the intended stay. Ensure that your passport is not damaged or expired.
- Passport-size Photographs: Recent color photographs that meet the specifications of the embassy or consulate.
- Acceptance Letter: Official acceptance letter from a recognized educational institution in France confirming your admission to a course of study.
- Proof of Financial Resources: Documents demonstrating sufficient financial resources to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and any other related costs during your stay in France. This may include bank statements, scholarship letters, or financial sponsorship letters.
- Proof of Accommodation: Evidence of accommodation arrangements in France, such as a rental agreement or a letter from your university confirming your accommodation on campus.
- Health Insurance: Proof of comprehensive health insurance coverage that is valid in France for the entire duration of your stay.
- Academic Transcripts: Copies of your educational transcripts, including diplomas or degrees earned and any relevant academic certificates.
- Language Proficiency: Proof of your proficiency in the language of instruction, such as a language proficiency test score (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL).
- Study Plan: A detailed study plan outlining your academic objectives, course selection, and how your studies in France align with your future goals.
- Visa Fee: Payment receipt or proof of payment for the visa application fee.
- Birth Certificate: A copy of your birth certificate.
- No Objection Certificate (NOC): If you are currently employed, a letter from your employer granting you permission to pursue studies in France.
- Travel Itinerary: A detailed travel itinerary, including flight reservations.
- Travel Health Insurance: Proof of travel health insurance with coverage of at least 30,000 euros, valid for the entire duration of your stay in France. The insurance should cover medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation.
- Proof of Funds: Bank statements for the last three to six months to demonstrate your financial ability to support your studies and stay in France.
- Police Clearance Certificate: A police clearance certificate issued by the Indian authorities.
- Student Visa Cover Letter: A cover letter explaining your motivation to study in France, your academic background, and your future plans.
- Additional Documents: Any additional documents that may support your application, such as reference letters, academic achievements, research proposals (if applicable), and proof of any previous language courses or study abroad programs.
Remember, this checklist is a general guideline, and the actual requirements may vary depending on your individual circumstances and the discretion of the embassy or consulate. It is always advisable to consult the official website of the French embassy or consulate in India for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the visa application process for studying in France
VISA APPLICATION FORMS
To apply for a France Study Visa from India, the following application forms are typically required:
Application for National Visa (Long Stay): This form is typically required for long-stay study visas, such as the “Étudiant” (student) visa. It includes personal information, study details, and other relevant information.
Campus France Application Form: If you are applying for higher education studies in France, you may need to complete the Campus France application form. This form is used to assess your academic background and study plans.
Supplementary Forms: Depending on your specific circumstances and the requirements of the French embassy or consulate, you may be asked to complete additional supplementary forms. These forms could include medical certificate forms, financial declaration forms, or forms related to accommodation.
It’s important to note that the specific application forms required may vary based on the type and duration of your study program, as well as the French embassy or consulate you are applying through. It is recommended to visit the official website of the French embassy or consulate in India or consult with the designated visa application center for accurate and up-to-date information on the required application forms for a France study visa
VISA APPLICATION GUIDELINES:
The steps involved in applying for a France Study visa from India are as follows:
After admission confirmation in France, the following are the steps to obtain a study visa from India:
- Obtain the Acceptance Letter: Once you receive an acceptance letter from a recognized French educational institution, you will need to keep it for visa application purposes.
- Complete the Online Application: Fill out the online visa application form available on the official website of the French consulate or visa application center in India.
- Gather Required Documents: Prepare the necessary documents, which may include a valid passport, passport-sized photographs, acceptance letter from the French institution, proof of financial means, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, educational transcripts, language proficiency certificates, and any additional documents required by the consulate.
- Book an Appointment: Schedule an appointment with the French consulate or visa application center in India to submit your visa application and documents. Make sure to book the appointment well in advance, as there might be a waiting period.
- Attend the Visa Interview: On the day of the appointment, appear at the consulate or visa application center for the visa interview. Provide all the required documents and answer any questions asked by the consular officer regarding your study plans and intentions in France.
- Pay the Visa Fee: Pay the applicable visa fee as per the instructions provided by the consulate or visa application center. The fee may vary depending on the type and duration of the study program.
- Await Visa Decision: After the submission of your visa application and documents, the consulate will review your application. The processing time may vary, but it typically takes a few weeks. During this time, you can track the status of your application on the consulate’s website.
- Collect Your Visa: If your visa application is approved, you will be notified to collect your visa from the consulate or visa application center. Make sure to carry all the necessary documents, including your passport, during the collection.
It is important to note that the visa application process and requirements may vary slightly based on the specific consulate or visa application center you are applying through. It is recommended to visit the official website of the consulate or consult with the designated visa application center for accurate and up-to-date information on the application process for a study visa to France
Step 1 - Gather information on your situation
This website provides you with all the important information you need to know before applying for a visa online. You can find out whether you need a visa or not, what documents you need to submit, and how much it will cost you.
Step 2 - Set up my online application
To apply for a visa, you will need a valid travel document that was issued less than 10 years ago and has at least two blank pages. It should also be valid for at least three months. You will also need to provide two recent ID pictures in ISO/IECI format (pdf).
Once you have these documents, you can fill out the visa application form online. As part of this process, you will need to create a personal account and provide your email address. This will allow you to save your partially or fully completed application. Once you have completed the application, you will receive a list of required supporting documents and be able to book your appointment.
Step 3 - Book your appointment
Schedule a meeting at the visa application centre.
On the page for your country of application, you can find all the information you need to schedule an appointment.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
When attending your appointment at the visa application center, it’s important to bring all the required documents, including a copy of each document and the passport’s ID pages.
During the appointment, the service provider or consulate will review your application, collect the visa fee, and take your biometric data, which includes a photo and fingerprints. They will also keep your passport and copies of all supporting documents to forward them to the consulate.
The entire visa application process should take around 20 minutes at the visa center.
Step 5 - Track your application
After submitting your visa application, you can track its progress on the designated page for tracking. Once your visa application is approved and your passport is ready for collection, you will be notified by the visa centre where you applied. Normally, visa applications are processed within 15 days, but in some cases, it may take up to 45 days if the application requires further examination. In some cases, the passport can be sent to you via postal services.