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Student Visa Students from
outside Europe (that is, students from countries other than
the 30 countries of the European
Economic Zone, plus Andorra, Monaco, Switzerland,
San Marino, and the Vatican) must obtain a long-term visa
marked étudiant if they intend to study in France
for more than 6 months.
After the
first year of study, visas are automatically renewed,
provided the student holding the visa is able to produce the
required documentation.
Three very important
pieces of advice :
1 - A tourist
visa cannot be converted into a student visa in France or in
any other country of the European Union.
2 - If you plan to complete
two programs in succession (such as a program in French as
a foreign language, followed by an academic program),
obtain admission to both programs before applying for your
visa so that your visa will be valid for the duration of
your period of study. French visas can not be extended in
France.
3 -
International students of all nationalities (except European
Union nationals) residing in France for more than 3 months
must obtain a student residency permit (which is distinct
from a visa), within two months of their arrival in France.
International
students who are not from Europe (that is, students who are
not nationals of the countries of the European Economic
Region plus Andorra, Monaco, Switzerland, San Marino, and
Vatican City) must obtain a long-term visa marked "student"
in order to study in France for longer than 3 months.
International
students of all nationalities enjoy the right of multiple
entries into France. Once granted, their visa is
automatically renewed for the duration of their studies in
France.
A special
visa exists for prospective students. The so-called
étudiant-concours visa is granted for stays of no more than
90 days for the purpose of taking an entrance examination or
visiting institutions of higher education. Prospective
students who pass their examination receive a full student
visa without returning to their country of origin. The
prospective student visa also may be granted to students
whose admission to a higher education institution is
contingent upon their completion of a short course of
remedial or refresher work.
To obtain a
visa, visit the French consulate in your place of residence
or the visa office of the French embassy.
What documentation do I need
to get a visa?
A Passport
The passport
must be valid for the entire period of validity of the visa.
Proof of
enrollment
The following
documents will be accepted as proof:
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An offer of
preliminary admission
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A statement
of pre-registration in a public or private institution of
higher education. The document must specify the level of
study and the student's subject. If the institution is
private, the statement must indicate the number of course
hours and state that registration fees have been been paid
in full.
Proof of
financial resources
Each French
embassy sets the level of financial resources to be
demonstrated by prospective students from that country. The
amount is on the order of 3,000 francs for each month to be
spent in France.
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Students
receiving scholarship grants must produce a statement
indicating the amount and duration of their grant on the
letterhead of the granting organization.
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If the
required resources are guaranteed by an individual
residing in France the student must produce a signed
statement of financial responsibility, a photocopy of the
national identity card of the guarantor, and proof of the
guarantor's own financial resources (such as the
guarantor's three most recent pay stubs and most recent
tax return).
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If the
resources come from abroad, the student must demonstrate
that a bank account has been opened into which the
necessary funds will be deposited and produce a promise of
payment, translated into French and bearing the
authenticated signature of the individual responsible for
making the payments, or a statement of payment of funds
from the authorities of the student's country of origin.
Proof of
insurance coverage
Proof of
insurance must be provided by students over 28 who are
nationals of a country that does not have a reciprocity
agreement with France or who are enrolled in an institution
that is not recognized by the French government to
participate in the student health insurance plan.
Parental
authorization
Minors
(individuals under 18 years of age) must furnish proof of
consent by the person or persons having parental authority.
Required
vaccinations
In some
cases, the consulate may require proof of vaccination (e.g.,
against yellow fever, cholera…) before a visa will be
issued.
( http://www.abroadeducation.com.np/study-in/france/student-visa-process.html
)
Admission Deadline
November
15 and January 15
It is the
best time to seek provisional admission. The form is
available from the Cultural, Scientific and Technical
Section of the French Embassy or directly from the
university, as the case may be.
February 1
The form
should be duly completed and accompanied by required
documents to the office from which it was obtained. You may
apply simultaneously to several universities. The
universities will give you an answer within two months. For
Post Graduate Studies, the individual should contact
directly the selected academic institutions to get
provisional admission and other useful information about
selection, fees, programs, etc.. The academic year usually
runs from September to June.
Complying with legal requirements once in France
As soon as
you arrive in France, you'll want to take two important
steps to comply with French immigration regulations. The
sooner you get these formalities out of the way, the
smoother and more pleasant your stay will be.
1 -
Report to your new university or school and register for
classes
2 -
Apply for a student residency permit (if you will be staying
for longer than 3 months) Pay close attention to
the documents that you will have to present.
Originals are often required.
Report to your new institution and register for classes
All students
must report and register each year. The procedure is the
same in all universities. In nonuniversity institutions of
higher education it differs from institution to institution.
Registration
at the universities has two parts : administrative
registration and registration for classes.
Other
institutions of higher education set their own registration
procedures and typically inform students of those procedures
before their departure for France.
Pay close
attention to the documents that you will have to present.
Originals are often required.
The second
thing you'll have to do once you arrive is apply for your
residency permit. All international students must obtain
such a permit, even those who are entitled to reside in
France without a visa.
International students who intend to study in France for
more than 3 months must visit the préfecture (or
government center) for their area to obtain a temporary
residency permit showing their student status. The
temporary residency permit is valid until the expiration
date of the applicant's passport or until the date of
completion of the applicant's academic program, whichever
comes first. The permit must be renewed annually.
( http://www.edufrance.fr/en/a-etudier/sejour02.htm
)
Scholarships
Work Permit
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