France Student Visa: Requirements, Fees, Process & New Rules 2026
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Global Degrees
France remains one of the world’s leading study destinations in 2026, welcoming thousands of international students annually. It offers a winning combination of academic excellence and career opportunities through its world-class universities, low tuition fees at public institutions, strong research ecosystem, and rich cultural life. Besides offering degrees recognized worldwide, France also gives you access to the European job market, making it a favourite among Indian and other international students seeking quality education in Europe. To begin this journey, securing the right France student visa is one of the most important steps.
Getting your visa application right the first time saves you from delays, rejections, and endless stress. Every detail counts, from financial proof and paperwork to application processes and even new policy updates for the year 2026. This article discusses eligibility criteria, required documents, visa charges, processing time, and the 2026 rules. Besides, students can confidently undertake the whole journey with the help of experts at Global Degrees.
Who Needs a France Student Visa?
Any international student wishing to stay in France for his / her studies for over 90 days is required to apply for a long-stay student visa. This applies to students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, diploma, doctoral, or extended language programs at recognised French schools. If your course lasts more than three months, you need to get a long-stay visa, usually the VLS-TS (Visa de Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour), before travelling. Indian students who wish to study in France need to get familiar with the eligibility and document requirements for a France student visa for Indian students to have an easy application.
Students participating in short-term courses, such as exchange semesters, entrance exams, or language courses, lasting no more than 90 days, may need a short-stay visa depending on their nationality. The main difference is the length of stay and the rights of stay. Short-stay visas are intended for a temporary stay and do not need to be validated after arrival, whereas long-stay visas have to be validated after arrival and serve as a residence permit during your study period.
Eligibility Criteria for France Student Visa 2026
Students must ensure they carefully follow the practical France student visa checklist before submitting their application. This 2026 checklist will assist students in their preparation by outlining the exact eligibility requirements to help them better understand. It is through compliance with such criteria that you can reasonably expect a strong, incontestable application, and the risk of delay or rejection is minimal.
- Confirmed Admission: Admission letter from a French institution recognized, and the program offered to the student is a full-time degree, making it compatible with the previous studies of the student
- Age: Generally, the applicant should be an adult (18 years) when applying for a higher education program. Any academic break must be supported with relevant documents.
- Financial Eligibility: The students should demonstrate their ability to pay not only the tuition fees but also the €615 per month for living expenses. The amount shown on the bank statement should be traceable and the source legitimate.
- Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical/health insurance that meets at least the minimum coverage for France is required. Some universities may ask for vaccination records.
- Travel and Visa records: Disclosure of visa refusal(s), overstaying, or other immigration violation(s) must be made and explained properly.
- Language Proficiency: If the applicant’s programme is in English, the applicant may be required to provide evidence of his/her proficiency in English (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL). However, if the applicant is following French-medium courses, he/she must have proficiency in French.
For precise documentation and a tailored support service, many applicants choose to hire the services of the leading Study Abroad Consultants in Vijayawada to ensure their eligibility criteria are met without fail.
Document Checklist: Complete 2026 Requirements
Make sure you go through the official France student visa requirements carefully and cross-verify each item before your interview. Don’t rush this step. Many students end up delaying their cases because of a minor detail that was missing or unclear. Keep your documents organized in a folder so that you can confidently show them at the VFS centre.
Your passport should be the first thing to check. It should be valid for at least a few months after your planned stay. Also, if you have travelled before, it is a good idea to carry copies of your old visas. Print your visa application form and remember to sign it. Keep some recent biometric photos with you that adhere to the Schengen size rules. Include your admission letter from the university that details the course and the duration.
After that, gather your academic certificates and mark sheets. Have bank statements ready that show you have enough money, proof of payment of tuition fee, and sponsor documents in case you are being sponsored. Add to these a valid health insurance policy, confirmation of accommodation, and a rough travel plan.
If the situation calls for it, bring along your CV, SOP, exam fee receipt, or family documents. Maintain one hard copy and one digital backup.
France Student Visa Financial Requirements
Your France student visa document must be accompanied by evidence to support both tuition and living costs. Commonly, students who want to study show a payment of at least the first year’s tuition and demonstrate an amount of at least €615 per month for their living expenses. Bank statements for the last three months of the applicant’s or sponsor’s accounts should clearly indicate stable funds.
In case of accommodation with a host in France under an “Attestation d’accueil, ” the required monthly funds may be lowered to about €215. Besides that, sponsorship letters, education loans, and scholarships are relied on. A good number of students interact with Study Abroad Consultants in Mysuru to get the right advice on documentation.
France Student Visa Processing Time
You can expect the France student visa processing time to be around 2 to 6 weeks from the time you submit your full application at the visa centre. Nevertheless, such timeframes depend on how many applications are received, the complexity of the individual case, and the extent of verification required. During the peak seasons, especially from May to August, processing may take longer due to the high number of students applying.
To avoid delays, applicants must submit their applications at least 6 to 8 weeks before the commencement of their courses, ensure that all documents are correct, and provide unambiguous financial evidence. One of the main causes of extended processing is incomplete files. For 2026, students can expect reasonable waiting times and should plan their schedules accordingly. A lot of applicants turn to Study Abroad Consultants in Manipal for help in making their submissions on time and without errors.
France Student Visa Fees 2026
If you want to know how much it will cost you to get a visa, first of all, you need to figure out the total cost of the visa process. Here are the details of the France student visa fees in Indian rupees with the equivalent Euro amounts for 2026. (The INR figures may change a little according to the exchange rates.)
| Type of Fee | Amount (Euro) | Approx. Amount (INR) |
| Short-Stay Student Visa | €50 | ₹4,500 – ₹5,500 |
| Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS) | €99 | ₹9,000 – ₹10,000 |
| Campus France Fee (India) | ~€200 | ~₹18,000 |
| VFS Service Charges | ~€25 – €35 | ₹2,000 – ₹3,000 |
| Visa Validation (ANEF – Online) | €50 | ₹4,500 – ₹5,500 |
| Health Insurance | ~€50 – €170 per year | ₹4,000 – ₹15,000 per year |
Where and When Are Fees Paid?
- The first payment is for Campus France, which is made when registering on the Campus France portal.
- You can pay the visa fee either when you fill out the online application or at your VFS appointment.
- VFS service charges are paid first-hand at the visa centre on the day of submission.
- After arriving in France, you can make the visa validation fee payment online.
Thus, in general, Indian students can expect to spend around ₹ 25,000 to ₹ 30,000 on initial expenses, excluding tuition and living costs.
Step-by-Step France Student Visa Application Process
Once you have established that you fulfil all the conditions to be eligible, you may go ahead and start the formal preparation for your France student visa application. If you follow each point thoroughly, you will get through the process more easily, and the approval will be on time.
Pre-Application
Initially, it is important to evaluate if you qualify academically, financially, and in terms of language proficiency. Once you are sure, submit an application for a place at a recognised French school and get your official admission letter. As soon as you receive your acceptance letter, start gathering all the documents you will need, including copies of your passport, academic transcripts, financial documents, insurance, and photographs.
Campus France / Études en France
Campus France serves as the government’s official channel for handling and authenticating student applications in India. Before asking for a visa, it checks your academic record and your reasons for wanting to study. From 2026, students are required to register on the Campus France website, submit their educational qualifications, make a payment, and undergo an interview if one is scheduled. Only after this stage will the student be allowed to apply for a visa.
Online Application
After being cleared by Campus France, you need to go to the official website france-visas.gouv.fr. Set up your France-Visas profile, complete the student visa application form accurately, attach the required documents, and save the printed, completed application form.
Pay Fees
You must pay the visa charges based on your course length. Additionally, there may be additional fees at the VFS centre, such as optional courier charges. Keep your payment receipts in a safe place.
Book Appointment
Once you have completely filled out the online form, you can then book an appointment with VFS Global. Centres where you can get your work done are located in major metropolitan areas, such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Puducherry. Make sure the date you pick is available, then proceed to book your spot online.
Appointment Day
On the agreed day, carry your passport and other documents to the VFS centre, where you should also provide your biometric details, namely your fingerprints and photo. Sometimes, a short conversation can be held.
After Submission
Right after the submission, you can monitor your application through the VFS tracking system. Usually, it takes 2 to 6 weeks to process your documents, depending on the intake season.
After Approval
Upon receiving approval, get your passport with the visa sticker and begin your travel preparations. Students who are visa VLS-TS holders and plan to stay in France for more than 30 days must validate their visa online within 3 months of arrival in France to have their residence legally recognized.
France Student Visa Latest Updates (2026)
In recent years, France has rolled out quite a few changes, especially beneficial to international students and more so to Indian students. On top of that, students can simply apply for a visa online through the new government portal, which is much easier and more transparent than before. The digital system enables candidates to fill in forms, submit documents, and check their status from anywhere.
Moreover, India and France have announced a significant joint program that is expected to issue 5-year Schengen visas to 30,000 Indian alumni by 2030. The plan is to use education as a vehicle for further academic collaboration, promote more frequent mobility over the longer term, and thus, naturally, language and culture in the context of the Indo-French relationship. On the other hand, the “Classes Internationales” initiative allows primary and secondary Indian school students to learn French for a year and then continue their studies in France. All these signals show that the French government and schools are seriously making India one of their major educational partners.
English Language Proficiency For France Student Visa
If a student is planning to study in France, language proficiency is a key requirement, especially when the program chosen is in English. Both the visa authorities and the universities require students to demonstrate their language proficiency so they can listen to lectures, participate in discussions, and complete their coursework effectively. That is why students from other countries most of the time have to provide their test results from an English language proficiency exam recognised by the university or consulate authorities, e.g., IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic.
A quite high level of English (around C1) is needed for many courses, especially postgraduate ones. But the exact scores required vary from one school to another, also depending on the level and the subject of the course. The candidates should always check the exact language requirements published on the official website of the university before they start the visa application procedure so that they are sure they meet the requirements.
Top Courses For Indian Students In France
It is the programs that offer excellent career prospects and international exposure that have led Indian students to choose France for study. A few of the most popular courses are:
- Engineering courses
- Business Analytics
- MBA courses
- Data Science courses
- Artificial Intelligence courses
- Computer Science courses
- Finance & Accounting courses
- Luxury Brand Management courses
- Hospitality & Tourism courses
- Life Sciences & Biotechnology courses
- Social Sciences courses
- Fashion & Design courses
Best Universities In France for Indian Students
| Institution | QS Ranking 2025 |
| PSL University (Paris Sciences & Lettres) | 24 |
| Institut Polytechnique de Paris | 38 |
| Sorbonne University | 59 |
| Université Paris-Saclay | 71 |
| École Normale Supérieure de Lyon | 184 |
| Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne | 283 |
| Université Grenoble Alpes | 294 |
| Université de Strasbourg | 421 |
| Aix-Marseille University | 428 |
| Université de Montpellier | 448 |
Academic Programs in High Demand From Indian Students in France
Continuing their trend, Indian students heading to France in 2026 are mainly choosing courses that offer Europe’s job opportunities and global exposure. France has technology, engineering, healthcare, business management, and sustainability sectors in demand. By picking a course that matches these sectors, not only will your chances of getting a job increase, but you will also have a stronger application case when going through the student visa process in France.
Programs related to technology, such as Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Software Engineering, have become extremely popular due to France’s local startup culture and global tech market. Various engineering disciplines, such as mechanical, civil, automotive, and aerospace, are perennially attractive to students because of France’s industrial power. Programs in the business field, such as International Business, Finance, and Luxury Brand Management, are major picks as France is a world leader in the fashion and luxury industries. Public Health, Biotechnology, and Environmental Science are some of the newer fields of study. Local research and climate change further fuel the growth of these areas. To get the best of both worlds, market-driven study and long-run career-oriented education, many students turn to Study Abroad Consultants in Church Street for help to pinpoint the right program.
Scholarships to study in France
France is one of the world’s main destinations for international students, attracting many every year due to its top-ranked universities and strong research ecosystem. Whereas public university fees are quite moderate if compared to other European countries, living costs in cities such as Paris may be expensive. To help international students, the French government and universities have launched a number of scholarship programs that allow students to significantly reduce their tuition and living costs.
The different scholarship programs that are most popular among Indian as well as international students are:
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
- Charpak Scholarship
- University-specific scholarships
- Alliance Française Scholarship
- The Emile-Boutmy Scholarship (Sciences Po)
- Audencia, Grenoble INP, and other institutional scholarships
Common Reasons for France Student Visa Rejection
France student visa rejections mostly happen when the documents are not complete, the financial proofs are not convincing, or the source of funds is not clear. Students have to clearly explain how they will pay the tuition and show a monthly amount of at least €615 for their living expenses. Other reasons that can cause rejection are poor language test results, unexplained academic breaks, contradictory information, or the applicant’s failure to disclose previous visa refusals. By giving forged papers, the applicant may be at risk of bans.
How Global Degrees Consultancy Supports the France Student Visa Process
Global Degrees Consultancy is recognised as a premier South Indian overseas education expert among the top consultants for student visas to France. Our France student visa consultants provide personalised career guidance services, thus they help students select the appropriate course and university that are in line with their long-term goals. Through ties with reputed French universities and business schools, we pave the way for students to secure admissions, scholarships, and tuition fee information.
We are there for you at every step of the application procedure, such as Campus France registration, preparing for the academic interview, checking the documentation, writing the SOP, arranging the financial proof, and filing the visa through VFS. On top of the above, we lend you a hand with education loans, offer a guide through the English language training, provide mock interviews, and offer scholarship applications to fortify your credentials.
Global Degrees is a regional educational consultancy devoted to Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. The company has a wide geographical presence with major offices in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Guntur, Vijayawada, Nellore, and Calicut. We provide a complete range of services from admission to pre-departure briefings, ensuring a smooth and well-organized move to France.
FAQs for France Student Visa
Essential for English-taught programs; depending on the specific course, the universities might accept TOEFL, PTE, or other equivalents.
At least €615 monthly plus tuition fees to be substantiated by regular bank statements covering the full study period.
Not necessary, but it helps in showing a financially strong and well-documented sponsor to get visa approval.
Normally, it takes 2 to 6 weeks after the full submission at the VFS center, depending on the number of applications and the workload.
Yes, you can submit your application online through the France-Visas portal prior to your VFS appointment in the event that you have completed the Campus France procedures first.
A confirmed admission, financial proofs, insurance, a valid passport, language proficiency, and a clear academic study plan are the main requirements.
Among the documents one needs: Passport, letter of allocation, proof of funds, insurance, accommodation, application form, school records, photos, itinerary, and biometrics.
Not having enough money, lack of documents, poor performances, vague study purposes, unexplained breaks, or false information submitted.
We prepare you for admission, help with document arrangement, interview presentation, loans, pre-departure, and visa processing support.
