Visa application
Obtaining a visa
The need for a visa will depend on two main factors:
- the length of your stay in France
- your country of citizenship
Please note: students holding a valid visa (or residence permit) issued by a Schengen member state do not need an additional visa to study in France if their stay is less than three months.
The Schengen area
The Schengen area comprises 26 European countries which have officially abolished all passports and all other types of control at their mutual borders. All EU member states participate in the Schengen area, with the exception of Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Ireland. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, as well as Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City, are also members of the Schengen area.
To find out if you need a visa and how to apply for one, we recommend that you consult France-Visas and Campus France, two official websites that provide all the information you need about your visa application procedure.
As visa regulations and procedures are subject to change, always consult these official information sources for any questions you may have.
Below is a brief description of the visa categories for international students coming to France. Citizens of member states of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland do not need to apply for a visa to study in France.
Less than 90 days
If you plan to spend less than 90 days in the Schengen area, within a period of 180 consecutive days, you may need a short-stay visa. Click here for a list of countries whose nationals do not require a visa to enter the Schengen area. Here you can also find
further information on short-stay visas.
More than 90 days
If you intend to stay in France for more than 90 days, you’ll probably need a long-stay visa that serves as a student residence permit (known as a “VLS-TS”). You must start the visa application procedure at least three months before the desired departure date. Contact your nearest French consulate or Campus France to start the procedure. Further information on long-stay visas can be found here.
