Getting a French student visa from India is a two-stage job. You first clear Campus France through Etudes en France, and only then can you book VFS for the visa itself. Mixing up that order wastes time, and some guides still show old fees and the old funds figure. This guide covers each stage in sequence, using Campus France India, Service-Public and France-Visas, and says when a detail comes only from guides.
- visa funds rose from 615 to 877.50 euros a month on 1 August, and the Etudes en France fee rose from 18,500 to 20,000 rupees on the same day
- Service-Public now lists a 150 euro validation fee, while Campus France's validation page still shows 100 euros.
What Is the France Student Visa and Who Needs It?
If your course in France runs longer than 90 days, you need a long-stay student visa, known as the VLS-TS. It is issued for four months to one year. Once validated online after arrival, it also works as your residence permit, so you do not need a separate card in that first year.
A shorter course uses a different visa, and Campus France India has a page on choosing between the two. The rest of this guide covers the long-stay route that degree students use.
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Follow the france student visa for indian students route in this order: Etudes en France first, then the France-Visas form, then VFS. Campus France India tells students to apply as soon as they have an unconditional acceptance letter, and at least three months before the intake starts. VFS cannot be booked early.
- Create your Etudes en France account and enter your academic records, language skills, CV and statement of purpose.
- Wait for Campus France to validate the file, and correct anything it flags.
- Pay the 20,000 rupee fee using the link from the official platform only, then declare the payment on the portal.
- Attend the academic interview in person at your allotted slot, with your original documents.
- Wait for the automated email saying you can proceed to VFS.
- Fill in the application on france-visas.gouv.fr and check its document list.
- Book your VFS appointment, then attend in person for biometrics and submission.
- Collect your passport from VFS once a decision is made.
Two warnings from Campus France India are worth repeating. It asks students to avoid payment links sent by third parties, including agencies. And it states that it does not issue any NOC, even though some guides list an NOC as a stage, so do not wait for one.
What Happens in the Campus France Interview?
It is an academic interview about your study plan. You explain why you chose France and your institution, and how the course fits your project. Campus France India says to bring your original documents, and its older page adds a set of photocopies and your fee receipt, which are checked and returned.
Guides say common questions include why you picked this course, what you know about the university, how you will pay, and what you plan to do afterwards. Guides also warn against vague or memorised answers. Know your course modules and city, and be able to explain any gap in your studies honestly. Your answers should match your statement of purpose and the rest of your file.
Which Documents Do You Need for the Visa?
France-Visas sets the official list through its online assistant, so generate your own checklist there before you book. Campus France India asks for your CV, photograph, passport and academic records at the Etudes en France stage. Guides say your VFS file then adds your application form, admission letter and proof of funds and housing.
Guides commonly list these items for the VFS appointment, so check them against your own France-Visas list:
- Passport, with validity and blank pages as France-Visas requires
- Printed France-Visas application form and photographs
- Admission letter from the French institution
- Campus France confirmation and academic transcripts
- Proof of funds, such as bank statements or a guarantor's documents
- Proof of accommodation, such as a Crous letter or a rental contract
- Travel medical insurance
- Language test results, if your programme asks for them
How Much Money Must You Show for a French Student Visa?
The minimum is currently 877.50 euros a month, replacing the old 615 euro figure. Campus France says you can show it through personal savings, a financial guarantor or a scholarship. Over 12 months that is 10,530 euros by our arithmetic, though official pages state only the monthly rate, not a total.
Campus France USA says these funds must be left over after tuition and programme fees are paid, so a statement showing just the minimum may look thin if your fees are still unpaid. Its guidance asks sponsors for a guarantee form and bank statements, and scholarship holders for an official letter covering the whole stay. India's exact format can differ, so follow your France-Visas list. Service-Public says this test does not apply if you passed the entrance exam of an institution with a State agreement.
How Much Does the France Student Visa Cost?
The main charges are the 20,000 rupee Etudes en France fee, a 50 euro visa fee for Etudes en France countries, and a VFS service charge paid in rupees. After arrival, you pay a validation fee. Campus France India says visa fees are not refunded if you withdraw or are refused.
| Charge | Amount | When you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Etudes en France fee | 20,000 rupees | After Campus France validates your file |
| Visa fee | 50 euros, charged in rupees at the Chancery rate | At the visa stage |
| VFS service charge | About 2,000 to 2,800 rupees, guides say | At VFS |
| Validation fee | 150 euros (Campus France's page still shows 100) | Online, after arrival |
Holders of French government scholarships such as Eiffel, plus Charpak and some other award holders, are exempt from some of these fees, but all of them still pay the VFS charge. Many guides still quote a 99 euro visa fee, which France-Visas lists for countries outside the Etudes en France procedure.
How Long Does French Visa Processing Take?
We found no official processing time for India, so leave yourself a wide margin. Other Campus France offices quote about three to four weeks from submission, and one guide for India says four to six. Service-Public treats silence for two months as a refusal, so do not leave this until late.
Guides say peak months are slower, so apply early. Campus France USA says the consulate offers no fast-track service, which is likely the same for India, though we could not confirm it. Avoid booking non-refundable flights until your passport is back.
Why Do French Student Visas Get Refused?
Guides point to weak interviews, low funds, unclear study plans, unexplained gaps and inconsistent documents. We found no official list of reasons, but a refusal can be challenged. Service-Public says you have 30 days to appeal to the visa refusal commission, in French, by post, with your reasons and evidence attached.
That 30-day clock starts from the written refusal, or from the implied refusal after two months of silence. If the commission does not reply within two months, the appeal counts as dismissed. Consider professional help for a refusal, and fix the actual weakness before you reapply.
What Must You Do After Arriving in France?
Validate your visa online within three months of arrival. This is what turns it into a residence permit. Campus France warns that if you miss the deadline and leave France, you will need a new visa to return. Do it early, as you need your French address and a bank card.
You will also need to pay the CVEC before registering at your institution, then join French social security online, which is free for students. Keep the confirmation emails from validation. To renew, apply online between four and two months before expiry. Service-Public lists 150 euros for renewal, plus a 180 euro charge if you are late, and the 877.50 euro funds test applies again.
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Yes. Non-EU students can work up to 964 hours a year, which is 60 percent of the legal working year, without a work permit. The count starts when you validate your visa or get your card. Going over the limit can cost you your permit or block its renewal.
Your employer must declare you to the prefecture at least two working days before you start. Self-employment is not allowed on a student permit. Internships that form part of your degree do not count toward the 964 hours, according to Campus France.
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Yes, if you hold a master's or equivalent. Service-Public lists a job search and company creation card valid for one year, which cannot be renewed. Apply in France within two months before your student card expires, or from abroad within four years of graduating. The fee in France is 150 euros.
During that year you can work without a work permit, but the job must relate to your studies and pay above 2,800.53 euros gross a month. From there, you can move to a salaried or worker card. Service-Public lists the multi-year talent card from 39,582 euros a year and the EU Blue Card from 59,373 euros a year. Some older pages still describe a two-year permit, so rely on the current Service-Public text.
Indian alumni with a master's or higher who spent at least one semester in France on a long-stay student visa can also apply for a short-stay visa valid for up to five years, according to Campus France India. It does not allow work or job hunting, but it makes later visits simpler. AdmitKard counsellors can review your file before your Campus France interview and help you prepare your funds documents.