From your Home country

1.  🇫🇷 Official Campus France / Études en France.  Campus France is the official French government agency that promotes French higher education and helps international students find programs and navigate processes or please check Études en France.

• • • Useful things you can do on their official sites:

      • Search for higher education programmes (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD), including those taught in English. If your plan is to do long term studies and then possibly secure a job in France, make sure to find a course which is RNCP qualified. 

      • Explore short language, cultural and summer programmes.

      • Check certified institutions — many recognized with the “Bienvenue en France”” label (quality label for international student welcome services). 

      • Use Études en France to submit your application if your country is part of that procedure. 

    • Études en France platform: — this is an official portal where you search and apply to programmes as part of the application for admission and visa procedure (if required for your nationality). 

    • Example of certified programmes / institutions:

      • Universities and Grandes Écoles (state-recognized degrees). 

      • Business & management schools (e.g., INSEEC School of Business & Economics). 

      • Specialist professional schools. 

      • Technical and creative institutes (like Institut international de l’image et du son (3iS)).

2.  How to apply for VLS-TS?

1. Submit an Application Form
   • Official process:
     • Start your visa application via the official France-Visas portal  
     • Fill in the long-stay student visa form online and upload supporting documents where possible. 
       (Countries subject to the “Études en France” procedure must start with that platform first.) 

2. Prepare a Complete File

You will include documents listed below under What documents you need. Always double-check with your French consulate/embassy abroad and your Campus France office for exact national requirements.

3. Application Fees

Visa fees typically range 50 € to 99 € depending on your country and bilateral agreements.

3. What documents do you need to apply?

• • • These are the standard documents for a VLS-TS student visa:

      1. Completed Visa Application Form (via France-Visas).

      2. Valid Passport (usually valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay).

      3. Passport-size Photos (biometric, recent).

      4. Travel Document (flight booking or planned arrival).

      5. Purpose of Travel / Admission Letter from French school/University.

      6. Proof of Accommodation (minimum 3 months or more).

      7. Financial Sustainability Proof (bank statements, scholarship letters etc., often demonstrating ≥ 615 €/month).

      8. Health/Travel Insurance covering your stay (often required).

      9. (If applicable) Études en France receipt/validation for some nationalities.

      🔎 Note: Requirements can vary by consulate — always check the local French embassy/consulate website.

4. What will you receive from the French consulate in your country ?

• • Passport with a Student Visa (VLS-TS) — valid usually 1 year (renewable based on your studies).

  • OFII / Visa Validation Notice form to be used later during arrival processes.

Upon arriving in France as a student - – Visa Validation Steps

Step 1: Receive Your Student Visa (VLS-TS)
Upon arrival in France, you will have a one-year long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) stamped in your passport.

Step 2: Validate Your Visa (Mandatory)
Within three (3) months of arrival, you must validate your VLS-TS visa on the ANEF platform. This step is mandatory for your visa to be recognized as a valid residence permit.

⚠️ If you fail to complete this step within the deadline, your visa may be treated as a short-stay visa (90 days) only.

Step 3: Complete the OFII Procedure
Visa validation is carried out through the Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration (OFII).
You can complete the process in one of the following ways:

• Online : via the official government platform  ANEF

• rarely By post: send your OFII attestation request to the OFII territorial office responsible for your place of residence

Step 4: Attend the OFII Appointment
After receiving your request, OFII will contact you and invite you to attend an appointment to complete the registration formalities.
For detailed guidance, refer to the document “OFII User Guide / Mode d’emploi OFII” 

Step 5: Complete the Mandatory Medical Examination

As part of the OFII visa validation process, all international students must undergo a medical examination.

• Appointments are generally scheduled with the local Student Health Service (Service Universitaire de Médecine Préventive et de Promotion de la Santé – SUMPPS), or the health service designated by your place of study or OFII office.

• The medical examination is mandatory; your visa validation is not complete until it has been successfully completed.

⚠️ Important Reminder:
Failure to complete the visa validation and medical examination within 3 months of arrival may result in your visa being considered invalid beyond 90 days.