Studying in France

Before you get started French higher education
in brief Choose a program Apply for admission Obtain your student visa

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> Studying in France

Obtaining a student visa

In some twenty countries, the procedures for requesting and issuing student visas are now electronic. In the countries where these electronic procedures exist, alternative methods of obtaining a student visa are no longer available.

All students who plan to study in France for more than six months and who are not citizens of one of the 30 member countries of the European Economic Area, or of Andorra, Monaco, Switzerland, San Marino or the Vatican, must obtain a long-term visa marked étudiant.

As with admission to higher education institutions, student residing in the following countries can only obtain student visas through an online procedure :

Algeria
Argentina
Benin
Brazil
Cameroon
Canada
China
Colombia
Congo (Brazzaville)
Korea
United States
Gabon
Guinea
India
Lebanon
Madagascar
Mali
Mauritius
Morocco
Mexico
Russia
Senegal
Syria
Taiwan
Tunisia
Turkey
Vietnam

Three key points to bear in mind :

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 attend two programs in succession (such as 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 your entire period of study. French visas cannot be extended in France.

3 - International students (other than European Union nationals) residing in France for more than three months must obtain a "student" residence permit (which is distinct from a visa), within two months of their arrival in France.

Visa renewal

Student visas are automatically renewed regardless of the student's nationality, provided that he or she can produce the documentation required to justify continuation of study.

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