Applying for your Student Visa to France
The process for applying for a French Visa can be summarized in 3 steps:
1. Campus France/Études en France Application (if applicable)
2. Visa Application Form (France-Visa)
3. Scheduling and attending a visa appointment (Consulate/VFS Global)
To begin the visa application process, start with the Visa Wizard On this page, you will be able to enter your information and find out what documents will be required for your visa application. You will also be able to find out if you are from a country that is required to do the Etudes en France (Campus France) procedure. This is important as it will determine whether you begin your visa application at Step 1 (Campus France/Etudes en France) or Step 2 (Visa Application Form). Note: If your country has the Campus France procedure, you will not be able to complete the Visa Application form before you complete the Campus France/Etudes en France procedure.
Step 1 – Campus France/Etudes en France (at least 90 days before departure)
Submit your Campus France/Etudes en France application at least 90 days before your planned departure. The following Campus France USA guides may help you navigate the portal:
• Study Abroad at PCA Students download this guide. (There are useful video tutorials on page 30)
• BFA, MA/MFA, and Certificate Program Students download this guide. (There are useful video tutorials on page 37)
• Take note of your EEF Number, which you can find in the top right-hand corner of the portal near your name
Pay the application fee. The exact fee varies from country to country. Your application will be reviewed within 3 weeks (3 days for expedited review may be possible depending on where you are applying from), as long as your application is complete (no missing documents). Once you receive your approval email and registration certificate, print these out to take with you to your visa appointment.
Step 2 – Applying
for your visa (at least 7 weeks or up to 90 days before departure)
First, create an account on the France Visas website. Fill out the application form then generate, save, and print a PDF of the form. Please note that if you are from an EEF country (see above), you will need to include your EEF number in the application
Save the receipt, which will include your registration number and the list of documents you will need for the visa appointment.
Step 3 – Setting your appointment
Schedule an appointment with your nearest visa processing center – depending on your country, this could be a consulate, embassy, or a VFS Global center. If no appointments are available, keep checking as new appointments become available regularly, or contact the center or consulate directly – some accept walk-ins.
Schedule an appointment that is:
• At least 3 weeks AFTER the date you paid Campus France;
• At least 3 weeks BEFORE your departure;
• No more than 90 days before your departure.