FranceStudy and training

France student visa (VLS-TS étudiant)

Long-stay student visa (VLS-TS « étudiant »)

In short

Students admitted to French higher education apply through Campus France's "Études en France" platform where that procedure covers their country, then for a VLS-TS student visa on France-Visas. You must show at least EUR 877.50 a month, validate the visa online within three months of arrival (EUR 100 tax) and may work up to 964 hours a year.

Apply on France-Visas (official visa portal) checked 25 October 2026

Key facts

Validity
VLS-TS from four months to one year; then a one-year card, followed by a multi-year card for the rest of the degree.
Fee
€50Reduced long-stay visa fee for students whose application went through the Études en France procedure (France-Visas fee table); otherwise the standard EUR 99. EUR 100 tax when validating the VLS-TS; Campus France charges its own procedure fee.
Funds required
€877.50 per monthMinimum resources for students per Service-Public, not required for students who passed the entrance exam of an establishment with a state agreement.
Processing time
No standard decision time is published for long-stay student visas; apply once you have your acceptance, leaving time for the appointment and the decision.
Work
Up to 964 hours a year (60 % of the legal working time), plus work within the student's own programme.
Family
No automatic family right; family members apply for their own visas (for example as visitors).
Path to permanent residence
Master's graduates can obtain a one-year job-search or business-creation card, then move to a work or Talent card.
Where to apply
Études en France (Campus France) in the countries where it applies, then France-Visas and the French consulate or its visa centre in your country of residence.

Visa documents

An acceptance letter is required for the visa; a pre-acceptance on the Campus France platform is enough to start. A lease in your name is acceptable as proof of housing. Students under 18 apply for a separate visa for enrolled minors.

Required documents

Identity

  • France-Visas long-stay form and receipt, signed
  • Passport valid for the stay, issued less than 10 years ago, with copies
  • Recent ICAO-standard photo and proof of legal residence in the country where you apply

Travel

  • Proof of accommodation in France, such as a lease in your name

Money

  • Proof of resources of at least EUR 877.50 a month (savings, sponsor or scholarship)

Study

  • Acceptance letter from the French institution (via Études en France)
  • Diplomas or a certificate of success

Resources

Service-Public sets the minimum at EUR 877.50 per month, which can be shown through your own savings, a sponsor or a scholarship. Students admitted after passing the entrance exam of an establishment that has an agreement with the state are exempt from this condition.

Études en France and Campus France

In the countries where Campus France runs the "Études en France" procedure (the platform lists them), students must use it. You apply to French institutions on the platform, the local Campus France office reviews your file and gives you an appointment, and once you have an acceptance you use your Études en France number to complete the visa form and book the visa appointment. Do not send documents to Campus France separately. Students from other countries apply directly on France-Visas.

  1. If the Études en France procedure covers your country, create your file on the platform, apply to institutions and attend the Campus France appointment.
  2. Create your long-stay application on France-Visas, choosing the "studies" purpose, and print the form and receipt.
  3. Book an appointment with the French consulate or the visa application centre it uses in your country of residence, and attend in person with originals and copies.
  4. Pay the visa fee and give fingerprints; the consulate decides on the long-stay visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS).
  5. Within three months of arriving in France, validate the VLS-TS online on the ANEF website and pay the residence tax.
  6. Attend the OFII appointments if you are summoned (medical visit, integration contract where applicable).
  7. Apply online for the residence card between four and two months before the VLS-TS expires.

Forms

After arrival: VLS-TS, OFII and residence card

Validate the VLS-TS online on the ANEF website within three months of arrival and pay the residence tax; without validation you are not lawfully resident and cannot travel back to France after leaving. OFII may summon you for a medical visit. Apply online for the next card between four and two months before the visa expires.

Renewal

After the first year you apply online for a student card; a multi-year card covers the remaining years of your cycle. The renewal costs EUR 100, the multi-year card EUR 150 (EUR 100 tax plus EUR 50 stamp duty), and late applications add EUR 180.

Work and after graduation

Students may work up to 964 hours a year alongside their studies. Graduates of a master's or equivalent degree can apply for a one-year residence card to look for a job or create a company, after which they can switch to a work permit or a Talent card.

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need as a student in France?

At least EUR 877.50 per month according to Service-Public.

Can I work while studying?

Yes, up to 964 hours a year.

What happens if I do not validate my VLS-TS?

You are not lawfully resident and cannot return to France after leaving; validate within three months.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for France

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

Study and training

  • Researcher visa Validity: Length of the hosting agreement, up to four years.
  • Internship and trainee visa Maximum stay: Company internship: six months initially; continuing training: 12 months, renewable once up to 18 months.

Work

  • Work visa Validity: First year on the VLS-TS; then a four-year multi-year card for permanent employees still in the job, or a card matching the fixed-term contract.
  • Skilled worker visa Validity: Length of the contract, up to four years.
  • EU Blue Card Validity: Contracts of two years or more: length of the contract up to four years; shorter contracts: contract plus three months, up to two years.
  • Intra-company transfer visa Validity: Length of the assignment, up to three years, minus time already spent on the visa; not renewable.

Family

  • Family reunification visa Processing time: The mayor checks resources and housing within two months; the prefect decides within six months of the complete file reaching OFII (silence means refusal).
  • Spouse and partner visa Validity: VLS-TS valid one year; then a multi-year card of two to four years.

Residence

  • Retirement visa Validity: VLS-TS for the first year, then a renewable one-year card.
  • Permanent residence Validity: 10 years, renewable. The EU card lapses after more than three consecutive years outside the EU or six years outside France; the ordinary resident card after more than three consecutive years outside France.

Protection

France visa guide