Residency cards and visas for foreign students

Students from non-EU countries wishing to study in France need a specific student (étudiant) visa unless they are taking a course that lasts under three months.

This costs €99, as for other long-stay visas, apart from people coming on the ‘Etudes en France’ process, for whom it costs €50. This should be validated at the Anef website within your first three months in France at a fee of €100.

Moving forward, you should apply for a student carte de séjour via the same site two to four months before the visa expires, costing €150 the first time and €100 for any subsequent renewals. 

Supporting documents include proof of pre-registration with a French educational establishment. students are asked to submit all these as scans online (a visit to a visa centre is still needed but in which case will be faster, the authorities say).

People from many non-EU countries register for courses via Etudes en France which has an English-language option.

UK and US applicants are among those generally using Études en France (EEF), and the course application comes before the visa application; once the course is accepted, the applicant proceeds through EEF to France-Visas.

Check here, if unsure. Information is also available via Campus France. 

Final submission deadlines are in December-January, to start in autumn. Do check, however, that the institution you are interested in is part of this system (most are), which is designed to tie in with the process for obtaining a visa. 

If not there will be a separate admissions process and visa application.

On Etudes in France, you need to create an account then select “course application” (candidature). Follow instructions to upload required documents in digital format, including passport (valid for at least the first year of studies), a CV and your highest relevant diplomas. Two references may be required.

For courses in French you must supply proof of French language skills of at least European level B2 via an approved test such as TCF, Delf or Dalf. See your country-specific Campus France site for information on taking one.

If you have questions, Campus France can help via email or video call (see FAQ sections or “how we can assist”).

A fee is payable, which varies by country of origin. 

A ‘motivation interview’ will be carried out by Campus France by phone or video before your application is sent to institutions. 

You should receive answers via EEF by April-May and must make your decision by the end of May.

Once you have accepted an offer you complete a visa application, starting in the Visas section at Etudes en France.

You will then be directed to complete an application on the France-visas platform, providing your EEF account number.

Other requirements

For the visa, you will need proof of funds to support yourself of at least €878/month and evidence of where you will stay (hotel reservation/rental agreement/sworn statement from host etc).

The need for €878/months is waived if you have passed a specific entrance exam for certain higher education establishments.

If another person is ‘sponsoring’ you, you need a letter from them stating this and their relationship with you, and proof of their means.

If you stay longer than a year, then you must apply for a student carte de séjour, online two to four months before the visa expires. you may need to visit the prefecture to give your fingerprints. The card fee is €100.

Note that foreign citizens also need a visa to come to France if they intend to take a French entrance exam – this is called a visa de court séjour ‘étudiant concours’.

If you pass such an exam you can then ask for a student residency card directly in a French prefecture and do not need to return to your country and apply for a long-stay visa.

Non-EU foreign people coming to study in France can join the French health service free of charge.

Foreign students may carry out paid work during their studies of up to 964 hours/year, or 60% of a full-time job. They should be paid at least the French minimum wage.

International students are eligible for help finding accommodation via the Crous network.