France is one of the most preferred countries for international students, known for excellence across disciplines and comparatively affordable tuition relative to other European destinations.
India is one of the top source countries for students in France: Campus France’s own enrollment figure was 9,100 Indian students for 2024/25 (up 17% year over year), while a broader visa/residence-permit count, which also includes exchange and short-term program participants, put the number around 12,000 for 2025. The two governments continue strengthening ties, with a stated French target of welcoming 30,000 Indian students a year by 2030.
Types of France student visas
France’s student visa differs by course duration:
- Schengen short-stay visa: for courses of up to 90 days (conferences, seminars, short training)
- Temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T): for courses of 3-6 months; no residence permit
- Long-stay visa (VLS-TS): for courses of 4 months to a year or more; doubles as a residence permit
| Visa | Duration | Fee (Indian applicants, EEF procedure) |
| Schengen short-stay | Up to 90 days, non-renewable | Standard Schengen fee (commonly EUR 90); students may qualify for a fee exemption in specific circumstances, so don’t assume it’s automatically free |
| Temporary long-stay (VLS-T) | Typically 3-6 months (varies by course and individual situation) | EUR 50 (EEF procedure) |
| Long-stay (VLS-TS) | 4 months to 1 year; longer studies require separate residence-permit renewal | EUR 50 (not EUR 99) |
Important correction: India is on France’s Etudes en France (EEF) list, so Indian applicants pay EUR 50 for the VLS-TS, the standard long-stay visa most degree-seeking students need, not EUR 99. The EUR 99 rate applies to applicants from non-EEF countries. If you’ve seen EUR 99 quoted elsewhere for Indian applicants, that figure is incorrect.
Schengen short-stay student visa
Issued for courses that don’t exceed 90 days: conferences, seminars, business trips, internships, or short training programs.
Temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T)
Issued to students on courses of roughly 3-6 months, though the exact visa type and duration depend on your specific course and situation; don’t assume this window applies universally. For example, Indian students undertaking a short diploma course in France commonly fall into this category.
Long-stay visa (VLS-TS)
Most degree-seeking students apply for this visa, generally issued for courses lasting 4 months to a year. For studies longer than a year, you’ll need to go through a separate residence-permit renewal process after your first year rather than a fresh VLS-TS. Indian students admitted to graduate or postgraduate programs in France typically start with this visa.
This visa includes a residence permit. After your first year, you can apply for an extension. To secure your residence permit, you need to:
- Validate your VLS-TS within 3 months of arrival in France
- Provide your arrival date and time in France
- Provide your residential address in France
- Provide payment details for the residence permit issuance fee
This process is generally completed online via Etrangers en France.
Also read: Study in France: Process, Requirements, Visa, and Benefits
Where to apply for a French student visa from India
Option 1: French consulate
- Complete your application online and create a France-Visas account
- Book the required visa appointment through the applicable official channel (this isn’t necessarily framed as a consular “interview” in every case)
- Campus France India guidance suggests submitting your long-stay visa application at least 3 months before your intake; treat this as general planning guidance rather than a guaranteed appointment-booking rule
- Submit your documents and wait for visa approval
French visa-processing centres in India have historically included Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Puducherry, and Chennai; confirm the current jurisdiction and centre for your specific region directly on France-Visas, since this can change. April-July is peak season and can mean longer processing delays, so apply well in advance.
Option 2: Campus France
- Attend an in-person interview with a French student visa advisor
- Bring all required documents, originals and copies
- Campus France processing fee: check the current fee directly on the Campus France India website, since this is reviewed periodically
- Schedule a VFS appointment to submit your passport and register biometric data
Option 3: VFS directly
- Book an appointment via the official VFS site
- Bring all required documents to your appointment
- Attend the interview and submit biometrics
- Wait for your visa
For applicants subject to the EEF procedure, the Campus France/Etudes en France evaluation step and the actual visa application/VFS submission are separate parts of the overall process, not alternative routes to choose between. Confirm the exact current sequence and requirements for your specific case directly with Campus France India.
Find French universities that match your profile: Explore on GradRight
France student visa requirements for Indian students
The most critical requirement is admission to a French university; you’ll need your acceptance letter to apply. Other commonly required documents:
- Confirmation of completing the Etudes en France (EEF) procedure through Campus France India (this is the pre-arrival evaluation and application-coordination process most Indian students go through; it is separate from the APS post-study permit covered later in this guide)
- A valid passport
- Completed visa application form
- Applicant must be 18 years of age or older (or have appropriate guardian arrangements if younger)
- Two recent passport photos
- Letter of acceptance from a French university
- Proof of sufficient financial resources: EUR 877.50 a month, for applications submitted from 1 August 2026 (up from an earlier EUR 615/month)
- Original degree transcripts
- Medical/health insurance evidence, where required for your specific visa category; requirements can vary, so confirm what applies to your situation
- Proof of travel plans, if requested
- Accommodation documentation
- A no-objection certificate from Campus France, where applicable
- French language proficiency certificate (DELF/DALF/TCF/TEF), only if you’ve applied to a French-taught course
- Proof of visa fee payment: EUR 50 for Indian applicants (EEF procedure)
France residence permits
Indian students with a course lasting a year or more need a residence permit. The VLS-TS itself acts as this permit and must be validated within 3 months of arrival.
Extensions or renewals for your second year onward can be handled through Campus France; you’ll apply for a Carte de Sejour (CDS), France’s official residence permit. Apply for renewal roughly 3 months before expiration; missing the deadline can mean a late-filing fee (commonly cited around EUR 180, though this is reviewed periodically, so confirm the current figure).
Language requirements
For French-taught courses, exams like DELF/DALF or TCF/TEF are commonly required:
| Exam | Indicative Fee (EUR) |
| DELF/DALF | 60-135 |
| TCF/TEF | 170-250 |
For English-taught courses, IELTS or TOEFL scores are commonly required instead, though exact requirements are set by the specific institution and program rather than being universal; fees for these vary by test center and are reviewed periodically, so check the official IELTS or TOEFL website for the current fee before registering.
Post-study visa: the APS explained
Important clarification: the APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Sejour) is a post-study residence permit, not something you obtain before or during your application to a French institution. If you’ve seen “APS Certificate” listed as a mandatory pre-arrival document in older guides, that’s a terminology mix-up; what happens before arrival is the Etudes en France (EEF) procedure through Campus France, a separate process.
The French government offers a post-study residence permit through the APS, letting eligible graduates stay in France to look for work or start a business after completing their studies. Exact eligibility (which degree levels and programs qualify), duration, renewal terms, and any salary threshold for a qualifying job offer are set by current French immigration rules and have changed over time; this guide won’t assert specific numbers here, since presenting outdated eligibility or duration figures could be actively misleading. Confirm the current APS eligibility, duration, and any salary threshold directly on France-Visas or with Campus France India before relying on this route. During any period you’re on a valid student or APS status, work rights are generally governed by the 964-hour annual limit described earlier in this guide.
Application requirements for the APS also vary by current rules; confirm the current document checklist directly with France-Visas or Campus France India rather than relying on a fixed list, since post-study residence requirements are reviewed periodically. Commonly requested items in the past have included your passport, current visa/status documentation, proof of address, photographs, and your degree certificate, but treat this as a starting point for your own verification, not a guaranteed checklist.
This guide does not assert a specific application fee for the APS, since this can change; confirm the current fee status directly with official sources.
Also read: Cost of Studying in France, and Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in France.
Sources
- France’s EEF (Etudes en France) visa fee for Indian applicants (EUR 50, not EUR 99): multiple 2026-dated sources cross-checked against France-Visas guidance.
- Minimum financial resources requirement (EUR 877.50/month from 1 August 2026): confirmed via multiple 2026-dated sources referencing updated Campus France India guidance.
- APS as a post-study residence permit, distinct from pre-application procedures: confirmed via France-Visas and Campus France guidance.
- Indian student enrollment figures (9,100 Campus France count, ~12,000 broader visa count for 2025): confirmed via Campus France’s own published figures.
Disclaimer: Visa fees, financial requirements, and document lists referenced in this guide change over time and are set by French authorities. This article is for general information only and is not immigration advice. Verify current requirements directly on France-Visas and with Campus France India before applying.
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