Bienvenue en France, the country amongst the top ten contenders in the world for top-notch education and first-class institutions.
France is easily one of the most preferred countries for international students for its excellence in various disciplines and programs of study. It is also a popular destination because of its affordable tuition fees as compared to other European countries.
India is one of the top source countries for students in France, with approximately 10,000-15,000 Indian students enrolled annually (Campus France 2024 data). The Indian and French governments continue to strengthen educational ties to welcome more Indian students each year.
It is therefore safe to assume that France is ready to grant your France student visa provided you are eligible and meet the France student visa requirements.
Types of France Student Visa and France Student Visa Requirements
France’s student visa differs according to the duration of your course. The different types of France student visas are:
- Schengen short-stay student visa
- Temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T)
- Long-stay visa (VLS-TS)
| Visa | Duration | Cost (EUR) | Cost (INR approx.) |
| Schengen short-stay | 3 months / non-renewable | Free | Free |
| Temporary long-stay (VLS-T) | 3-6 months / no residence permit | €50 | ~₹4,600 |
| Long-stay (VLS-TS) | 4 months – 1 year / residence permit | €99 |
Schengen Short-Stay Student Visa
This visa is issued for international students taking courses that do not exceed 90 days. If you are a student or academician planning to travel to France for a conference, seminar, business trip, internship or short training programme, you can apply for this visa.
Temporary Long-Stay Visa (VLS-T)
The temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T) is issued to students with a course of three to six months. For Indian students who plan to undertake a six-month diploma course in France, you can apply for a temporary long-stay visa.
Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS)
Students applying for a French student visa most often apply for a long-stay visa. A long-stay visa is issued for students pursuing courses that last for a year or more in France. Indian students who have applied for graduate and postgraduate studies in France can apply for a long-stay student visa.
This visa is inclusive of a residence permit. After the first year of residence in France, students can apply for an extension on their residence permit. To secure your residence permit, you need to:
- Validate your VLS-TS within 3 months of your arrival.
- Provide information on your visa such as the date and time of arrival in France.
- Provide your residential address in France.
- Provide credit card details to pay for the issuance fee of residence permit.
Note: This process can be done online on Étrangers en France.
Also Read: Study in France 2026: Process, Requirements, Visa and Benefits
Where to Apply for a French Student Visa from India?
Applying for a French student visa from India is a simple process. France student visas can be applied in two ways:
Option 1: French Consulate
You can take a trip to the French consulate in your country.
- Fill up an application online and create a France visa account on the official website.
- Schedule an interview at the French consulate.
- Schedule the appointment 90 days in advance of your departure date.
- Submit your documents.
- Patiently wait for your visa approval and arrival.
The French consulates in India are located in Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Puducherry and Chennai. The months of April-July are peak seasons, therefore leading to delays in visa arrival. Hence, visas should be applied well in advance.
Option 2: Campus France
The second option for your visa application from India is to apply on Campus France.
- Appear for an in-person interview with the French student visa advisor.
- Bring all your related documents, the originals and a set of copies.
- Campus France fee: approximately €115 (~₹10,500) – verify current fee at Campus France India website.
- Schedule an appointment with VFS France to submit passport documents and register your biometric data.
Option 3: VFS Directly
Students can directly apply for a France student visa via VFS too. However, using the Campus France channel is recommended.
- Book an appointment from the official VFS site.
- Take all required documents on the day of your appointment.
- Attend the interview and submit your biometric.
- Wait for your visa arrival.
Note: The VFS service fee is €32.20 (~₹2,960).
If you require advanced guidance to study in France, a GradRight advisor can guide you through the process. Visit gradright.com.
Find French universities that match your profile – AI-powered, free. Explore on GradRight
France Student Visa Requirements for Indian Students
The most critical and obvious factor in applying for a France student visa is to get accepted into a French university. To apply for a student visa for France from India, you will need your acceptance letter from the university. Further, the other France student visa requirements are:
- APS Certificate from Campus France India (mandatory for all Indian students – apply 8+ weeks early)
- A valid passport
- Visa application form
- Applicant must be 18 years of age
- Two recent passport photos
- Letter of acceptance from a French university
- Proof of sufficient financial funds to cover your expenses in France – minimum €615/month
- Original transcripts of degrees
- Medical insurance that covers €30,000/year
- Reserved airline ticket with the date of departure
- Documents with accommodation statements
- A no-objection certificate from Campus France
- French language proficiency certificate (DELF/DALF/TCF/TEF), only if you have applied to French-taught courses
- Proof of visa fee payment (€50-€99)
France Residence Permits
Indian students with a course duration of one year or more will need to apply for a residence permit to reside in France. The long-stay visa (VLS-TS) acts as a residence permit that needs to be validated within three months of arrival in France.
An extension or renewal of your residence permit for your second year as a student in France can be done on Campus France. Here, you can apply for a Carte de Séjour (CDS) or ‘titre de séjour’ – the official residence permit in France.
Renewal of the permit should be carried out three months prior to the expiration. Exceeding the deadline would lead to a payment of €180 (~₹16,500) as a late fee.
Language Requirements for Studying in France
Language exams are required for admission into French universities that demand them. The details of the French language exam for French-taught courses are:
| Exam | Cost (EUR) | Cost (INR approx.) |
| DELF/DALF | €60 – €135 | ₹5,500 – ₹12,400 |
| TCF/TEF | €170 – €250 | ₹15,600 – ₹22,900 |
For English-taught courses:
| Exam | Cost (EUR) | Cost (INR approx.) |
| TOEFL | ~€200 | ~₹18,000 (updated 2026) |
| IELTS | ~€210 | ~₹19,000 (updated April 2026) |
Note: English proficiency exam fees are updated as of 2026. Verify current fees on the official IELTS and TOEFL websites before registering.
Post-Study Visa France: Getting a Post-Study Visa After Your France Student Visa
Applying for a France post-study visa as you graduate from your university is an easy task for Indian students in France.
The French government offers a post-study visa for master’s and doctorate students, allowing for an extension of their visa after the course through APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour).
The APS allows 12 months initially, and can be renewed once – giving Master’s graduates up to 24 months to find employment in France. Students can work up to 20 hours/week (964 hours/year) during this period.
To apply for the APS extension, one must graduate from an RNCP-certified course (a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) from a French university. Required documents:
- Your passport
- A copy of the status of your visa
- A proof of address that is not less than 3 months old
- Three to eight photographs of French standard
- A valid student visa
- A copy of your degree certificate or attestation de réussite du jury
The application fee is not charged for the APS extension.
As French university graduates, you will find ample opportunities to look for jobs in France.
While applying for a student visa for France from India, students are advised to keep a clear record of all the documents and forms that have been a part of the process.
Note: Indian students applying to any French university must first complete the Études en France procedure and obtain their APS certificate from Campus France India. If you are facing issues, GradRight can help you navigate the process.
Also Read: Cost of Studying in France 2026: Complete Breakdown
Also Read: Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in France 2026
Also Read: Study in France 2026: Process, Requirements, Visa and Benefits
