BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL IN FRANCE

Once you have applied to study in France, you will receive a letter telling you whether you have been accepted on the course of your choice. This letter of acceptance will enable you to start preparing your stay in France.

European Economic Area (EEA) = 27 member states + Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, Andora, Monaco, Switzerland, San-Marino and the Vatican > exempted from the visa (ex-Resident permit).

The non European students (non EEA) must obtain a long stay visa in order to get the  « student » status which will enable them to study in France, if the stay is exceeding 3 months.

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• Application for this visa must be done at the French Consultate or Embassy in the home country. If you are to follow two different courses one following the other, (for example a French language course followed by an academic course), you must be admitted to both before applying for your visa. The visa will then cover the entire length of your stay. No extension or modification of any type can be granted after arrival in France.

• Students of all nationalities can subsequently have their student visas renewed automatically as long they provide the documents required by the authorities.

• 3 important points:

1- A tourist visa, of whatever type, can never be turned into a student visa in France or in any other EU country.
If you intend to follow two study programmes one after the other, enrol for both before applying for your visa so that it will cover the entire period of your stay.
2- A French visa cannot be modified once you have arrived in France.
3- if you are from a country outside the European Union and are staying in France for more than 3 months you must obtain a student visa (within 3 months once you are in France).

For more information: www.campusfrance.org

In order to obtain a VISA in your HOME COUNTRY, you will need the following documents (originals and photocopies):

- Passport (valid until at least 3 months after visa expiry date)
- Proof of enrolment (justificatif d'inscription) at higher education establishment (letter of acceptance for your application or a pre-enrolment certificate, stipulating course category and subject)
- Proof that you have adequate means to cover the period of your stay. The amount is set by the French Embassy in each country and is equivalent to a minimum of 430 euros a month
- Round-trip travel ticket (for students staying less than 6 months)
- Proof of social security coverage (insurance certificate). See below under Health insurance
- Photocopies of diplomas

Administrative enrolment
On a date stipulated by the university, you must fill in the administrative enrolment forms and pay your tuition fees and social security coverage at the Service Scolarité (Registrar's department).
(Enrolment fees range from 180 euros to 470 euros depending on the course. Social security coverage is 189 euros for students under 28.)
You will be given a student card and a certificate needed to obtain your residence permit.

Enrolment for academic courses
This takes place in September and is the time when you choose your subjects. It also enables you to sit exams. Once you have completed your administrative enrolment, you must enrol at the "Secrétariat Pédagogique" of the department offering the academic course you wish to take.

Documents required for administrative enrolment
- Proof of previous academic results: degrees, marks, credits, etc. You must provide original documents with translations by an accredited translator
- Proof of your level of command of French.
- Proof of identity (passport, passport with visa).
- Proof of health insurance cover (See below under Health insurance)
- An appointment with the preventive medicine centre. Regardless of nationality, all students must undergo a medical check-up.
- Three to six ID photos.

Download here all the administrative steps to valid a long stag visa once in France