Updated June 2026. Most non-EU students staying over six months need a VLS-TS etudiant (visa long sejour valant titre de sejour, mention etudiant). You apply through Campus France using the Etudes en France procedure, then the consulate. On arrival you validate the VLS-TS with the OFII within three months. You can work part-time within legal limits and may claim APL housing aid via the CAF. EU, EEA, and Swiss students need no visa.
Key takeaways
- Non-EU students staying over six months need a VLS-TS etudiant.
- You apply through Campus France using the Etudes en France procedure, then the consulate.
- Validate the VLS-TS with the OFII within three months of arrival.
- You can work part-time within a legal hourly limit and may claim APL via the CAF.
- EU, EEA, and Swiss students need no visa; renew later at the local prefecture (Prefecture) or on ANEF.
Which student visa do you need for France?
A non-EU national coming to study in France for more than six months needs a VLS-TS etudiant (visa long sejour valant titre de sejour, mention etudiant). It is a long-stay visa that doubles as a residence permit for its first year, so you do not need a separate card straight away. For courses under six months a short-stay or temporary student visa applies instead, and that visa cannot be turned into a residence permit.
EU, EEA, and Swiss students need no visa or residence permit and enrol on the same terms as French students. See our EU citizens guide for registration and residence. Everyone else should confirm the current rules on France-Visas and service-public.fr.
What is Campus France and Etudes en France?
Campus France is the official agency that guides international students into French higher education. If your country is covered, you must use its online Etudes en France procedure before applying for the visa. You create a single file, upload your enrolment proof, academic records, and supporting documents, then attend an academic and consular pre-registration interview. The platform connects to the Campus France network and the consulate that issues your visa.
You will also need to show proof of financial means, a monthly subsistence amount set by the authorities to cover your living costs, plus accommodation details. The exact figure is updated periodically, so confirm the current amount on Campus France and service-public.fr rather than relying on an old number.
Start early
How do you apply step by step?
- Step 1: Secure admission and obtain your enrolment proof or letter of acceptance.
- Step 2: If your country is covered, complete the Etudes en France procedure with Campus France.
- Step 3: Create your file on France-Visas and complete the VLS-TS etudiant application.
- Step 4: Attend the consulate or visa center appointment with your passport, enrolment proof, proof of financial means, and accommodation documents.
- Step 5: After arrival, validate your VLS-TS online with the OFII within three months and pay the tax.
- Step 6: Before expiry, renew at your Prefecture or through ANEF with updated enrolment and financial documents.
Can you work and claim housing aid?
A VLS-TS etudiant lets you work part-time alongside your studies, up to a legal limit set as a share of full-time annual hours. The work must stay secondary to your studies, so you cannot treat a student visa as a full work permit. Check the current hourly limit on service-public.fr before taking a job.
International students can also claim APL housing aid through the CAF, the family allowances fund, once you hold a valid residence document. Eligibility depends on your rent, your accommodation, and your situation, and you apply online once you have a French address and bank account. To open one, see our bank account guide.
How do you validate and renew?
A VLS-TS etudiant only becomes a valid residence document once you validate it online with the OFII within three months of arrival. You enter your visa details, your French address, and pay the applicable tax. Keep the confirmation, because it proves your right to live and study until your first renewal.
For renewal, apply two to three months before your visa expires, increasingly through the ANEF online portal or your Prefecture. You provide updated proof of enrolment, financial means, and address. Applying early keeps your residence continuous and lets the Prefecture issue a receipt while it processes your file.
Sources: Campus France, France-Visas, OFII, the CAF, service-public.fr, and the ANEF portal, as of June 2026. Subsistence amounts, work limits, fees, and conditions change, so verify the current rules before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do EU students need a visa to study in France?
No. EU, EEA, and Swiss students do not need a visa or residence permit to study in France. They register for their course and enrol on the same terms as French students, then arrange health cover and accommodation. See our EU citizens guide for the details.
How long does the Campus France procedure take?
It varies by country, but you should start the Etudes en France procedure several months before your course begins. Campus France review, the consular interview, and visa processing each take time, so applying early in the year for an autumn start is strongly advised.
How much money do you need to show for a French student visa?
You must prove a monthly subsistence amount to cover living costs for the duration of your studies. The exact figure is set by the authorities and updated periodically, so confirm the current amount on Campus France and service-public.fr rather than relying on an old number.
Can you work on a French student visa?
Yes. A VLS-TS etudiant lets you work part-time alongside your studies, up to a legal limit set as a share of full-time annual hours. The work must remain secondary to your studies. Check the current hourly limit on service-public.fr before taking a job.
Can students claim CAF housing aid in France?
Yes. International students with a valid residence document can apply for APL housing aid through the CAF, the family allowances fund. Eligibility depends on your rent, your accommodation, and your situation, and you apply online once you have a French address and bank account.
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