France VLS-TS Long-Stay Student Visa

France issues the VLS-TS (Visa de Long Séjour Validant la Demande de Titre de Séjour — Long-Stay Visa Validating Residence Permit Application), commonly known as the French student visa, to international students enrolling at accredited French educational institutions. The VLS-TS is unique in that it serves dual purpose: it functions as both the entry visa and the residence permit, valid for up to 1 year, and is renewable annually for the duration of studies (typically 2–4 years for degree programs). Upon graduation, master’s degree holders are eligible for a 12-month Autorisation de Travail (APS — work authorization) allowing job search in France. France is an increasingly popular destination for international students seeking career opportunities in Europe, with particular strength in engineering, business, and research. The French student visa process involves application at a French embassy/consulate and subsequent validation with OFII (Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration) upon arrival in France.

Key facts

Eligibility

• Acceptance to a full-time degree program at an accredited French educational institution (public or private university, engineering school, business school, etc.)
• Program must be registered with French Ministry of Education or equivalent accreditation authority
• French language proficiency: Typically B2 level (Delf B2 or equivalent) for undergraduate programs; some master’s programs taught in English may require only English proficiency (C1 IELTS or equivalent)
• Financial proof: Approximately EUR 800–1,000 per month (EUR 9,600–12,000 annually) for living costs and tuition
• Valid passport (valid for duration of stay; no specific validity requirement beyond practical need)
• No criminal record or security concerns
• Health status appropriate for studies (no mandatory health exam, but health insurance required)
• Genuine student intention (documented through acceptance letter and educational pathway)

Required documents

• Acceptance letter (attestation de préinscription ou inscription): From the French educational institution confirming:
  • Full-time enrollment
  • Program duration
  • Start date
  • Tuition costs (if any)
• Proof of financial capacity (EUR):
  • Bank statements covering 3–6 months showing EUR 800–1,000 per month available
  • Proof of scholarship (e.g., Erasmus Mundus, Campus France scholarship, French government scholarship)
  • Parental bank statements with notarized affidavit (if funds held by parent)
  • Proof of educational loan (if applicable)
  • Tuition payment receipt (if already paid)
• Valid passport: Original and copy of photo page and any pages with visas
• Proof of French language proficiency:
  • DELF B2 or higher, OR
  • TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français) score B2+, OR
  • DALF C1, OR
  • English-language proficiency (IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 80+) if program is taught in English
  • Certificate must be recent (typically within 2 years)
• Academic qualifications: High school diploma, bachelor’s degree transcript, or equivalent showing educational pathway
• CV and letter of motivation (lettre de motivation): Brief statement explaining educational and career objectives
• Proof of accommodation: Lease, student housing offer letter, or family accommodation confirmation
• Health insurance: Confirmation of enrollment in public social security or proof of private insurance
• Police clearance certificate (if required by consulate): For applicants with criminal history or from certain countries

Application steps

Visa Application at French Embassy/Consulate

1. Research and apply to French universities: Use Campus France platform (campusfrance.org) or directly contact French universities. Most universities accept applications for September intake (some accept January intake).

2. Receive acceptance letter from the French university confirming full-time enrollment, program duration, and start date.

3. Complete French language proficiency test (if required):

   • DELF B2, TCF, or DALF
   • Test must be completed before visa application
   • Scores valid for 2 years
   • Processing time: 2–4 weeks for results

4. Register on Campus France platform (if applicable): Some French universities use Campus France to manage international student admissions; check with your institution.

5. Gather all required documents:

   • Acceptance letter
   • Valid passport
   • Language proficiency certificate
   • Financial documentation (bank statements, scholarship letter if applicable)
   • Academic transcripts
   • CV and motivation letter
   • Health insurance confirmation
   • Accommodation proof

6. Schedule visa appointment at the French embassy or consulate in your home country or country of residence. Appointment availability varies (typically 1–8 weeks wait depending on location).

7. Attend visa interview at the French embassy/consulate with all required documents:

   • Present originals and copies of all documents
   • Prepare to discuss study plans, career objectives, and ties to home country
   • Interview typically 10–20 minutes

8. Pay visa fee: Approximately EUR 50–100 (USD 55–110) depending on consulate. Fee paid at time of application or interview.

9. Receive visa decision: Typically within 2–4 weeks. VLS-TS visa is affixed to passport.

Residence Permit Validation Upon Arrival in France

10. Arrive in France with signed VLS-TS visa and acceptance letter.

11. Validate VLS-TS with OFII within 3 months of arrival:

    • Contact the local OFII office in your city
    • Bring: Passport, signed VLS-TS, acceptance letter, proof of accommodation, health insurance documentation
    • Complete OFII registration process
    • OFII stamps passport and returns it; VLS-TS is now validated as residence permit

12. Enroll at university:

    • Complete registration and course enrollment
    • Obtain enrollment confirmation (Certificat d’Inscription)
    • Register with student services

13. Register for social security (if eligible):

    • Students working on-campus or with employer can register for public health/social security
    • Eligibility varies; many full-time students qualify
    • Public social security covers health insurance (approximately EUR 150/year or free for some eligible students)

14. Renew VLS-TS annually: Prior to expiry each year:

    • Contact local OFII or prefecture for renewal
    • Bring updated acceptance letter and enrollment confirmation
    • VLS-TS is renewed for additional 1-year period

Financial proof / maintenance funds

France specifies financial requirements for student visas:

• Monthly requirement: Approximately EUR 800–1,000 depending on location (Paris: EUR 1,000; provincial cities: EUR 800–900; living costs vary significantly by city)
• Annual requirement: Multiply by 12 (EUR 9,600–12,000 annually)
• Proof required: Bank statements covering 3–6 months showing EUR 800–1,000 available per month
• Source: Student’s own savings, parental bank account (with notarized affidavit), scholarship (ERASMUS Mundus, French government scholarship, institutional scholarship), educational loan, or government sponsorship
• Stability: Funds should appear stable and held in account for minimum 3 months (longer holding period strengthens application)
• Documentation: Bank statements in English or French; if in other language, certified translation required

Work rights

On-campus work (student assistant positions):

• Unlimited hours (no restrictions on time spent in on-campus employment)
• Work for the university, library, research labs, or student organizations
• Common roles: Library assistant, lab assistant, administrative support, tutoring

Off-campus work during studies:

• Limited to 60 hours per month or full-time during school holidays/breaks
• Approximately 15 hours per week during term (calculated as 60 hours/month ÷ 4 weeks)
• Full-time employment (40+ hours/week) permitted during official university breaks (summer vacation, Christmas, Easter)
• Must work legally registered employer; informal employment is not permitted

Post-graduation (Autorisation de Travail / APS):

• Eligibility: Master’s degree holders from French accredited institutions
• Duration: 12 months work authorization
• Purpose: Job search in any field (not limited to major); can transition to employment visa if job secured
• Application: Applied for near graduation; typically approved within 4–6 weeks of request
• Work authorization: Full-time unrestricted work with any employer; no employer sponsorship required

Common refusal reasons

• Insufficient financial proof: Funds below EUR 800–1,000/month, not held for sufficient period, or source unexplained
• Language proficiency below threshold: No DELF B2 or equivalent; score below B2; test results outdated
• No acceptance letter or invalid institution: Not accepted to a recognized French educational institution
• Criminal history: Previous convictions (particularly for crimes involving fraud or violence)
• Incomplete documentation: Missing required documents (acceptance letter, language certificate, financial proof, accommodation confirmation)
• Character concerns: Immigration fraud, visa overstay, or security concerns
• No health insurance: Health insurance must be arranged before or immediately after arrival
• Weak tie-back to home country: Insufficient evidence of intention to return after studies (employment, family, property in home country)

Recent changes

APS for master’s graduates confirmed (2024): French government reconfirmed 12-month work authorization (APS) for master’s degree holders; previously, there was ambiguity about renewal for multiple degrees. Now, graduates of any accredited master’s program are eligible for APS.

VLS-TS processing streamlined (2023–2024): French embassies reduced processing time for VLS-TS applications from 4–6 weeks to 2–4 weeks through digitization of document verification.

English-taught program expansion (2024): Number of English-taught master’s programs in France expanded significantly (particularly in engineering and research); these programs often do not require French language proficiency.

Health insurance for students clarified (2024): International students now automatically eligible for French public social security (for health insurance purposes) upon enrollment, reducing cost to approximately EUR 150/year or free for eligible students.

Work authorization hours adjustment (2023): Off-campus work hours clarified as 60 hours per month or full-time during school breaks (previously ambiguous); this was formalized in official guidance.

Related visas or statuses

• VLS-TS: Long-stay student visa serving as residence permit
• Authorisation de Travail (APS): 12-month work authorization for master’s graduates
• Titre de Séjour (residence permit): General residence permit for longer-term stay (beyond 1 year)
• Carte Professionnelle (professional card): For self-employed workers and entrepreneurs
• Visitor visa (Schengen C visa): Short-stay visa for tourism/visits (not applicable for residence/study)
• EU Blue Card: Highly skilled worker visa; available to graduates with degree and employment
• Permanent residence: Available after 5+ years of continuous legal residence

Primary sources

• Campus France: Study in France Official Portal
• French Ministry of Education: International Students
• OFII (Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration)
• French Embassy/Consulate: Visa Information
• DELF/DALF: French Language Test Information
• Diplomatie.gouv.fr: French Foreign Affairs Ministry

Last updated: 2026-04-18.