France student visa guide
France grants the VLS-TS Étudiant, a long-stay visa that doubles as a residence permit, with most Asian applicants required to pass through the Campus France procedure before they can apply.
The VLS-TS Étudiant is a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit, meaning that once you validate it online after arrival you do not need a separate permit for your first year. You apply through the French Embassy, but the gateway for applicants from the Philippines, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and most Asian countries is Campus France, the official procedure that reviews your academic project before the consular stage.
You must show living funds of about 615 euros per month, your admission or pre-registration, accommodation, insurance, and language evidence: DELF B2 for French-taught courses or IELTS 6.0 for English-taught programmes. Public tuition remains very low, but the consulate still wants clear proof you can cover everyday costs throughout your stay.
The Campus France procedure
Campus France is mandatory for most Asian nationalities and must be completed before your visa interview. You create an account, submit your academic history and study plan, pay the procedure fee, and often attend an interview that assesses the coherence of your project. Only once this clears does the consulate process your VLS-TS, so start it as early as possible in the cycle.
Our advisers guide you through the Campus France steps and document checks free of charge, helping you present a clear and credible study project.
Funds, processing, and post-study work
Demonstrate around 615 euros per month in living funds through bank statements or a guarantor, and expect consular processing of roughly six to ten weeks once Campus France is complete. After graduation you can apply for the APS, the temporary residence authorisation that gives you up to one year to seek work or set up a project in France.
Refusals commonly follow an incomplete Campus France file, a vague study plan, or insufficient funds, so make sure your project and finances are well documented.
Visa facts at a glance
Campus France procedure is mandatory for applicants from Philippines, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and most Asian countries before visa application.
| Visa type | VLS-TS Étudiant |
| Issuing authority | French Embassy via Campus France |
| Processing time | 6–10 weeks |
| Financial proof | €615/month |
| Language requirement | DELF B2 (French) or IELTS 6.0 (English programmes) |
| Post-study work | APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) — 1 year |
Visa application steps
- 1
Receive your admission letter
Apply to a France university and obtain your acceptance — we help you choose programmes and apply.
- 2
Prepare financial proof
Arrange evidence of €615/month as required by the French Embassy via Campus France.
- 3
Gather documents
Passport, admission letter, language certificate, photos and the visa application form.
- 4
Submit & attend appointment
Submit your VLS-TS Étudiant application and attend any interview. Processing takes about 6–10 weeks.