France is one of Europe's leading destinations for international education. Most non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals intending to study in France for more than 90 days require a long-stay student visa before travelling, and depending on the programme and nationality, additional administrative procedures may apply after arrival.
- Admission must normally be confirmed before a visa application can be submitted. - Not every nationality is required to use the Campus France procedure — this must be verified in advance. - Work rights while studying are limited and depend on residence status.
Student visas are generally issued for admission to recognised institutions — public and private universities, Grandes Écoles, engineering and business schools, architecture and art schools, conservatories, vocational institutions and eligible language schools — and admission must normally be confirmed before a visa application is submitted. For many applicants, the admission and pre-visa process is coordinated through Campus France, which may assist with academic application procedures, document verification, student guidance, visa preparation and interview scheduling; not every nationality is required to complete this procedure, so applicants should verify whether it applies in their country of residence.
Applicants typically require a letter of admission, valid passport, completed visa application, passport photographs, proof of financial resources, proof of accommodation, health insurance where required, and supporting academic documentation. Financial evidence may include personal savings, scholarship awards, sponsorship letters, educational funding or family financial support. Accommodation evidence may include university residence, student housing, private rental, host family accommodation or other lawful arrangements.
Following arrival, students may need to validate their long-stay visa (VLS-TS) where applicable, complete administrative registration, register with their educational institution, and obtain a residence permit if required by their category. International students may generally undertake limited employment while studying, subject to French immigration and labour regulations, and should ensure employment remains within the legal limits attached to their residence status. Many academic programmes include internships, which may require an internship agreement, institutional approval and employer participation.
Students wishing to continue their education beyond their current residence status should apply for renewal before expiry, providing evidence of continued enrolment, academic progress, financial resources and accommodation. Following graduation, eligible students may be able to change their immigration status — potential pathways include employee residence, Talent Passport, EU Blue Card, entrepreneur residence or research residence — subject to satisfying the relevant eligibility requirements.