France Student Visa (VLS-TS Étudiant): For Full-Time Enrollment in an Approved French Academic or Higher Education Institution

Enrolling in a French university, business school, or other higher education institution for more than three months means you’ll need the VLS-TS “etudiant” – the long-stay visa that doubles as a residence permit for international students. It’s the standard route for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, or other full-time higher education program in France lasting from four months up to a year.

This guide covers who needs the visa, how the Campus France / Études en France process works, what documents and funds you’ll need, the current costs, and what happens after you arrive, based on official guidance from France-Visas and Campus France.

What Is the VLS-TS “Etudiant”?

The VLS-TS (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour, or “long-stay visa serving as a residence permit”) is a long-stay visa specifically for students whose program runs from four months to one year. Unlike a standard visa, it functions as your residence permit for that period once validated, so there’s no separate permit application needed until it’s time to renew.

Holding a VLS-TS “etudiant” entitles you to:

• Travel freely within the Schengen Area
• Work up to 964 hours per year (roughly 20 hours a week) to supplement your income
• Use VISALE, a free rental deposit guarantee service for students
• Extend your stay beyond the initial visa period, provided you remain enrolled in your studies

It’s worth noting this is different from the temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T), which is used in some other circumstances and does not carry the same rights – always check which type has actually been issued to you.

Who Needs This Visa

You must apply for a French student visa if:

• You are not a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland
• Your program of study lasts longer than 3 months
• You are over 18 years of age, and have already been accepted onto a course

If your course is 3 months or shorter, a short-stay visa is sufficient instead. If you’re unsure whether you need a visa at all, the France-Visas online wizard will confirm this based on your nationality and situation within a few minutes.

Degree Levels and Programs Covered

The VLS-TS “étudiant” applies broadly across French higher education, including:

• Undergraduate (licence) degrees, typically 3 years
• Master’s degrees, typically 2 years
• Doctoral (PhD) programs, at least 3 years of research
• Grande École programs, including business and engineering schools
• Vocational and technical higher education, such as BTS or specialised diplomas

Whatever the level, your acceptance must be at an institution that formally enrols you – a conditional offer or informal email confirming interest isn’t enough. You’ll need a genuine certificate of enrolment (attestation d’inscription) from the institution before applying.

The Campus France / Études en France Procedure

If you live in one of the countries covered by the “Études en France” (EEF) procedure, you must first register and apply to your chosen institution through the official Études en France platform. Your visa application is then automatically forwarded to the relevant French consular authorities through the same platform.

Countries and territories currently subject to the EEF procedure include, by region:

• Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, and Togo
• Asia: Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam
• Americas: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Mexico, Peru, and the USA
• North Africa / Middle East: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates
• Europe: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the United Kingdom, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine

If you’re not from one of these countries or territories, you should contact the French consular authorities in your home country directly to apply, rather than going through the platform.

Important: applicants under 30 who are enrolling in the first year of a course, or who meet certain other conditions, may also need to follow the Parcoursup procedure and its associated schedule, which runs earlier in the year than the general visa timeline.

Documents You’ll Need

Exact requirements depend on your personal situation and are confirmed through the France-Visas online wizard, but applicants should generally prepare:

• A valid passport, issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended stay
• A completed long-stay visa application form
• Passport-style photographs meeting Schengen specifications
• Your certificate of enrolment from the higher education institution that has accepted you
• Proof of financial resources for the duration of your stay
• Confirmation of accommodation, either a temporary address for the first three months or a permanent one if already arranged
• Evidence of medical insurance, where applicable to your circumstances

Proof of Financial Resources

You’ll need to show you can support yourself financially for the length of your stay. Following a government decree that took effect on 1 August 2026, the required minimum has increased from the long-standing €615 per month to €877.50 per month – a figure now tied to 47% of the gross French minimum wage (SMIC) and subject to annual review going forward.

Acceptable evidence generally includes:

• Personal bank statements showing consistent, sufficient funds
• A scholarship confirmation letter, if applicable
• A sponsor’s guarantee (attestation de prise en charge), supported by the sponsor’s own financial documents, if someone else is funding your stay
• A combination of sources, where needed

Consulates generally look more favourably on well-documented, consistent financial evidence rather than a large lump sum deposited shortly before applying.

Fees and Costs

According to current France-Visas pricing:

• €50 for applicants from a country or territory covered by the EEF procedure
• €99 for applicants from other countries

These figures are indicative, and some special cases may attract different rates. On top of the visa fee, you’ll also need to budget for the visa validation fee, paid online after arrival as part of the VLS-TS validation process (see below).

Separately from the visa itself, French higher education institutions charge their own enrolment fees, which range from a few hundred euros a year at public institutions to over €10,000 per year at some private establishments.

How to Apply

Step 1: Secure Your Enrolment

Choose your course through Campus France and complete the enrollment process with your chosen institution, following the EEF procedure if it applies to your country.

Step 2: Complete the Online Visa Application

Once accepted, use the France-Visas portal to complete your application. Digital copies of your supporting documents can generally be uploaded directly through the platform, which speeds up your in-person appointment.

Step 3: Attend Your Appointment

Submit your documents and biometric data at the relevant consulate or authorised visa application centre. Processing times vary by consulate, so it’s best to apply as early as possible once your enrolment is confirmed.

Step 4: Validate Your Visa After Arrival

Within 3 months of arriving in France, you must validate your VLS-TS online at administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr. You’ll need a valid email address, your visa details, your date of arrival, your French address, and a way to pay the validation fee – either by bank card online, or with an electronic stamp bought in cash if you don’t have a card.

During the first three months after arrival, you can travel outside France and return using your unvalidated visa. After that window, if you haven’t validated it and you leave the country, you would need to apply for a new visa to return.

Working in France During Your Studies

International students on a VLS-TS “etudiant” are permitted to work up to 964 hours per year, equivalent to about 60% of full-time working hours in France. This limit is lower for Algerian nationals, who are restricted to 50% of full-time hours under a separate bilateral agreement. Part-time work is intended to supplement your budget, not fully cover your living costs.

Healthcare During Your Studies

Registration for French social security is free and mandatory for non-European students under 28, arranged through the health insurance website. Students from the European Economic Area are generally exempt if they hold a valid European health insurance card or equivalent private cover. On average, French social security reimburses around 60% of medical costs, with many students taking out complementary insurance to cover the remainder.

Renewing Your Visa or Residence Permit

If your course continues beyond the validity of your initial VLS-TS, you’ll need to apply at your local prefecture for a multi-annual residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle), generally starting the process about three months before your current visa expires. The permit’s validity typically matches the remaining length of your program – for example, a student entering the second year of a three-year degree could receive a permit valid for the remaining two years.

For an overview of other France visa categories if your circumstances don’t fit the standard student route, it’s worth comparing options before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the VLS-TS “etudiant” last?

It’s issued for a period of four months to one year, matching the length of your enrolled program during that period. If your studies continue beyond that, you’ll need to apply for a renewed residence permit before your visa expires.

Do I need to go through Campus France to apply?

If you live in one of the countries covered by the Études en France procedure, yes – you must first register and apply through the Campus France platform before your visa application can proceed. If your country isn’t covered, you apply directly through your local French consulate instead.

How much money do I need to show for a student visa?

As of 1 August 2026, you must demonstrate financial resources of at least €877.50 per month for the duration of your stay, up from the previous threshold of €615. This can be shown through bank statements, a scholarship, or a sponsor’s financial guarantee.

Can I work while studying in France on this visa?

Yes. You’re permitted to work up to 964 hours per year, roughly 20 hours a week, which is intended to supplement rather than fully cover your living costs. Algerian nationals are limited to 50% of full-time working hours under a separate agreement.

What happens if I don’t validate my VLS-TS within 3 months?

Your visa becomes invalid for onward international travel if you leave France without validating it after the initial three-month window, and you may need to apply for a new visa to return. Validation itself is a straightforward online process through the official government portal.

Is the visa fee the same for everyone?

No. Applicants from countries covered by the EEF procedure pay €50, while applicants from other countries pay €99. These amounts are indicative, and certain special cases may be charged differently.

Can I bring my family with me on a student visa?

This guide focuses on the standard individual student route. Family accompaniment for students generally follows separate rules and requirements, so it’s worth checking your specific situation directly with your local French consulate if this applies to you.

What if my course requires passing an entrance exam in France first?

In that case, you may need a separate short-stay “étudiant-concours” visa, valid for up to 90 days, which allows you to sit the exam and – if successful – regularise your status at the local prefecture without leaving France to apply for a long-stay visa. This option is not available to Algerian nationals under the Franco-Algerian agreement.