France Student Visa (VLS-TS): Requirements & Steps for 2027

To study in France for more than three months, non-EU students need the long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit, 'étudiant' (VLS-TS). You apply online on France-Visas, attend an appointment at the visa centre, and show your admission, at least €877.50 per month of resources (from 1 August 2026), and your passport and academic documents.

The VLS-TS is valid from four months to one year and works as your residence permit once you validate it online after arrival. This guide gives you the official checklist, fees, timing and the extra steps for applicants from Afghanistan.

What the VLS-TS student visa is

According to Service Public, the VLS-TS 'étudiant' lets you live in France for the length of the visa without applying for a separate residence permit, as long as you validate it after arrival. You must be enrolled or pre-enrolled at a public or private higher education institution and show sufficient resources. After the first year, you can switch to a temporary or multi-year student residence permit.

Step-by-step visa procedure

1. 1

   Confirm your admission

   In Études en France countries, finish the EEF procedure and get the EEF certificate. Confirm your final program (by 31 May 2027 for the 2027/28 intake).

2. 2

   Fill in the France-Visas form

   Complete the long-stay visa application on France-Visas. You can apply up to six months before departure.

3. 3

   Book the visa centre appointment

   Book with the official provider for your country: AEG in Pakistan, VFS in Iran and India. Slots are limited, so book as soon as you confirm your program.

4. 4

   Attend in person

   Give your biometrics. In Pakistan, students also have an interview at the French embassy in Islamabad.

5. 5

   Wait for the decision

   In Pakistan, the consulate decides between 2 weeks and 2 months after the interview.

6. 6

   Collect your passport

   Collect it from the visa centre, check the visa details and plan your travel.

France student visa document checklist

The French consulate in Pakistan publishes this checklist through Campus France and AEG. Other countries use similar lists, so always download the current one from your visa centre.

• Original passport valid for the whole study period and at least 15 months from the program start, plus copies of all pages
• 3 photos and 2 France-Visas application forms
• Admission letter (for direct admissions) or your EEF certificate
• 6-month bank statement, or a guarantor's documents, showing at least €877.50 per month
• Accommodation certificate, if available
• CV and a cover letter
• Original transcripts and diplomas
• Family registration certificate
• OFII form with the upper half completed
• The consulate fee, paid in PKR at the exact amount in Pakistan

How much bank balance do you need?

You must show at least €877.50 per month of your stay. Campus France Pakistan confirms this minimum applies to student visa applications from 1 August 2026. Accepted proof includes:

• Your personal bank statement for the last 6 months
• A guarantor's affidavit with the guarantor's 6-month bank statement and ID
• A scholarship letter, which can cover all or part of the amount

The requirement does not apply if you passed the entrance exam of an institution that has an agreement with the French State. For a full budget, read the cost of studying in France.

Visa fees and other official charges

French government scholarship holders are exempt from visa fees, and in Pakistan also from the EEF fee.

Health insurance

You don't buy health insurance for the student visa the way you would for some countries. Students register free with French social security on etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr after enrolment. Social security reimburses 60% of health costs, and a complementary 'mutuelle' is optional but strongly recommended; check that it includes civil liability cover.

After you arrive: validate your visa

Validate the VLS-TS on the Ministry of the Interior's ANEF website within three months of arrival. You need an email address, the details on your visa, your arrival date, your address in France and a payment card for the €100 tax. Without a card, you can buy an electronic tax stamp at a tobacconist.

Renewing your student status

Apply online for your student residence permit 4 to 2 months before your VLS-TS or permit expires. The tax is €100. If you apply late, you also pay a €180 regularisation fee, except in cases of force majeure or if you hold a valid visa.

Applying from Afghanistan

The French embassy in Afghanistan has been closed since August 2021 and its activities are suspended until further notice. The French embassies in India, Iran and Pakistan process visa applications from people living in Afghanistan. On France-Visas, you select India, Iran or Pakistan as the country where you will submit your application.

Campus France Iran says applications from Afghan students are possible there, and recommends that applicants hold a French scholarship, have a coherent study project and an adequate command of the program's language. See the France Excellence scholarship for Afghan students (deadline 31 May 2027).

When to apply: a visa timeline for the 2027/28 intake

France-Visas and Service Public warn that appointment and processing times can be longer depending on the place and time of year. Summer is the busiest season, so prepare your file in April and May, while you wait for admission results.

Tips for the visa interview

• Know your program well: its name, length, main courses and the city where you'll study.
• Explain how it connects to your previous studies or work, and what you plan to do afterwards.
• Know who is paying for your studies and how much is in the account, and bring proof of the source of funds.
• Answer in the language of your program; in English-taught programs, clear English matters more than French.
• Bring originals of everything you uploaded, in the same order as the checklist.

Proof of accommodation

The Pakistan checklist asks for an accommodation certificate if available, so it helps to arrange housing early. International students apply for CROUS residences on the official platform from 7 July, but demand is high. If you rent privately, the free state guarantee Visale can replace a French guarantor. Keep your housing documents with your visa file, because you will also need your address in France to validate the VLS-TS online.

Common reasons for problems and refusals

• Insufficient or unclear proof of funds, or a sponsor whose bank history doesn't match the declared amount
• An incoherent study project, for example a program unrelated to your past studies with no explanation
• Inconsistent documents between your EEF file and your visa file
• Late booking, leaving no time for processing before classes start

Campus France has no influence on the consulate's decision. A refusal can be contested as indicated on the refusal notification. Next, read about documents, translation and legalization, or track deadlines for free on FindUniPath.