The French student visa explained: everything you need to know in 2025

The VLS-TS student visa is not as complicated as it looks — once you understand what it actually requires and in what order.

Two stages, one visa

The French student visa process has two distinct stages that confuse a lot of applicants. The first is getting the visa. The second is validating it when you arrive. Both matter. Missing the second one is a serious mistake.

The visa you'll receive is called a VLS-TS (*Visa Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour*) — a long-stay visa that acts as a residence permit for up to one year. For most non-EU students in degree programmes of 12 months or more, this is the correct visa type.

Stage 1: Before you apply — Campus France

If you're from one of the roughly 50 countries in the Campus France procedure (which includes most of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East), you must register through Campus France before applying for your visa at the consulate.

Go to campusfrance.org and select your country. The process involves:

• Creating a Campus France account and entering your academic history
• Attaching your French university acceptance letter (*lettre d'admission*)
• Attending a mandatory interview at your local Campus France office

The interview is not a test — it's a conversation about your project and your chosen programme. Most students pass without difficulty. Allow 4–6 weeks for the full Campus France process before you can proceed to the consulate.

If your country is NOT in the Campus France procedure, you go directly to the consulate.

Stage 2: The visa application at the French consulate

Apply at the French consulate or embassy in your country of residence. Applications are usually made via the France-Visas portal (france-visas.gouv.fr), which handles appointment booking and document submission.

Documents required (standard list — verify with your specific consulate):

• Valid passport (must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay)
• Completed visa application form
• Passport photos meeting French specifications
• Proof of university acceptance (letter from your French institution)
• Campus France approval letter (if applicable)
• Proof of accommodation in France (lease, residence hall booking, or host letter)
• Proof of financial resources: at least €615/month for the duration of your studies (you can show bank statements, scholarship letters, or a notarised sponsor declaration)
• Valid health insurance covering France (private policy or CPAM pre-registration)
• Visa fee: €99 for long-stay student visas (non-EU students)

Processing time varies by consulate but is typically 3–6 weeks. Apply well in advance of your programme start date.

Stage 3: Arrival and ANEF validation — do not skip this

This is the step many students miss, sometimes with serious consequences.

Within three months of arriving in France, you must validate your VLS-TS visa on the ANEF portal (*administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr*). This online procedure replaces the old prefecture appointment for most students.

What validation involves:

• Creating an ANEF account with your passport details and visa number
• Uploading a recent photo
• Paying the €50 validation fee by bank card

Once validated, the ANEF sends you a digital validation certificate. This certificate, combined with your VLS-TS visa, functions as your residence permit for the first year. Keep a PDF copy. You will need it for CAF, CPAM, your bank, and your university.

If you do not validate within three months, your visa becomes invalid and you will need to apply from your home country again. This is not a minor administrative issue.

Renewing after the first year

If your programme is longer than one year, you'll apply for a Titre de Séjour Étudiant (student residence card) before your VLS-TS expires. The renewal application is also on the ANEF portal. Apply at least two months before your visa expires — processing can take weeks, and delays are common. During the wait, the ANEF provides a receipt (*récépissé*) that extends your right to stay.

Timeline: working backwards from your programme start

• 6+ months before: accept your French university offer and get your acceptance letter
• 5 months before: register with Campus France (if required) and book your consulate appointment
• 3–4 months before: submit your visa application at the consulate
• 1–2 months before: confirm your accommodation and get your lease or residence hall booking
• Arrival: validate your VLS-TS on ANEF within 3 months — ideally in the first week
• First month in France: register with CPAM (health insurance), open a bank account, apply for CAF (housing benefit)

The process looks long, but each step is manageable if you start on time. The most common reason students have problems is not starting early enough.

For city-specific guides on what to do after you arrive — including housing costs, transport, and what to tackle in your first week — see our city guides or use the city quiz to find where in France best fits your goals.