France · study · guide
France Student Visa: Requirements and Application Guide
A guide to getting a long-stay visa to study in France.
MIGRAGENT wrote this from 16 requirements on the official page, each checked against the government's own wording. Updated 2026-10-02. Source: https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F16162
Who needs to apply
To enter and stay in France for more than 3 months, you must have a type D long-stay visa. If you are an adult, you must apply for this long-stay visa even if your nationality exempts you from a short-stay visa.[1][2]
If you are a student from one of the 72 affected countries, you must apply for your visa on the Études en France website during your online pre-registration.[3]
What you need to show
Your passport must be issued less than 10 years ago. It must be valid for at least 3 months after your visa ends. It must also have at least 2 blank pages.[4][5][6]
You must check the France-Visas portal to find the list of documents you need to provide for your specific situation.[7][8]
Timing and application
You must submit your visa application to the French consular authorities in your country of residence. You must apply at most 3 months before your planned departure. You must also apply at the latest 3 months before you plan to leave.[9][10]
After you arrive
Within 3 months of arriving in France, you must validate your VLS-TS visa and pay a tax.[11]
If you want to stay in France after your visa expires, you must apply for a residence permit. You must submit this application within the 2 months before your visa ends.[12][13]
How to appeal a decision
If you need to appeal a decision, you must write your appeal in French and sign it. You must explain the legal and factual reasons for your appeal. You must also attach any useful documents.[14][15][16]
Checklist
- Get a type D long-stay visa if you plan to stay in France for more than 3 months[1]
- Apply on the Études en France website if you are from one of the 72 listed countries[3]
- Ensure your passport was issued less than 10 years ago[4]
- Check that your passport is valid for at least 3 months after your visa expires[5]
- Make sure your passport has at least 2 blank pages[6]
- Validate your VLS-TS and pay the tax within 3 months of arriving in France[11]
Questions people ask
Do I need a long-stay visa if my country is exempt from short-stay visas?
Yes. If you are an adult, you must apply for a long-stay visa even if your nationality exempts you from a short-stay visa.[2]
How early can I apply for my French student visa?
You must submit your visa application at most 3 months before your planned departure date.[10]
What are the passport requirements for a French student visa?
Your passport must be issued less than 10 years ago, have at least 2 blank pages, and remain valid for at least 3 months after your visa ends.[4][6][5]
How do I find the list of documents I need to submit?
You must consult the France-Visas portal to see the list of documents required for your specific situation.[7][8]
What should I do if I want to stay in France after my visa ends?
You must apply for a residence permit within the 2 months before your visa expires.[13][12]
How do I appeal a visa refusal?
You must write your appeal in French, sign it, explain the legal and factual reasons for your appeal, and attach any useful documents.[14][15][16]
This explains what one official page says. It is not legal advice, and the page itself is the authority. Rules change; the wire reports it when they do.