France
France
Students can view entry routes to France below. However, it should be noted that all visa information should be verified with the local consulate/embassy for the most up to date, accurate and real time information.
Students should make sure their passports are signed and stamped when entering and exiting Border Controls. These stamps will prove the duration of your visit and more importantly prove to the visa official that you have not overstayed your 90-day visit.
It is important to understand the Schengen 90/180 rule. You are allocated 90 visa free days to use within the Schengen Zone, however you must remember these are rolling days and are added onto a cumulative total of days in the Schengen region. Leaving and entering does not reset your calculator – only leaving for a period of 90 days in a non-Schengen country will reset your Visa free 90 day allowance. You can read about the Schengen rules here.
Study (more than 6 months)
Study more than 6 months
Students applying for a visa over 6 months, must register their enrolment into higher education via the Études en France platform. Upon completion of your application, an Études en France number will be generated. You will need to specify your EEF number at the time of your visa application.
Process of applying for EEF number
- Apply for Études en France number (EeF) – In 2021-2022 the processing of your application on Etudes en France will be free of charge on an exceptional basis. The visa application will be half-price (i.e. 50 euros) approx. £42.99. Please double check all fees on the Campus France website.
- The unique EEF number is generated as part of the registration process.
- Receive confirmation email when your EeF application is processed by Campus France
- Complete visa application on the France Visa Website: France-visas.gouv.fr | The official website for visa application to France
- Attend in-person appointment at a VFS Global Center
- Pick up Visa and go Abroad
Taken from Campus France: Prepare for your Studies in France.
- pay £90 for administrative fees for the cost of registering via the EeF Platform.
- pay via bank transfer, please send your confirmation of payment to: your local consulate
- Once payment has been accepted you will receive both an email and a notification on the platform
Once you have paid you receive your confirmation of registration by email. Application Processing time takes approximately 2 weeks to 1 month. Please leave plenty of time of this.
If you are a non-EU/EEA student, you will need to apply for a Long Stay Visa (National D)
(VLS-TS "ÉTUDIANT", VISA LONG SÉJOUR VALANT TITRE DE SÉJOUR).
The “Student” Temporary Long-Term Visa (VLS-T “étudiant” in French), will allow you to:
- Stay in France for four to twelve months to attend higher education courses
- Travel freely in countries included in the Schengen Area
- Benefit from the French social security (after having registered in a higher education institution) during your stay and benefit from a part reimbursement of your health expense.
International students can apply for an online visa on France-Visas. The new service is accessible to students applying for a long stay visa living in a country where visa application is outsourced and available online.
Note that visa applications cannot be submitted more than 3 months prior to the start of your trip for a long stay.
Click here to find out more about the Long Stay Visa for France.
Gather Your Documents
To apply for your Long Stay Visa you will need to gather the following documents:
- Visa Application Form
- X2 ID passport Photographs
- Passport
- Proof of Accommodation in France
- Proof of Sufficient funds for your time in France
- Letter of Purpose of Visit eg Acceptance/Admissions Letter
- Insurance Letter
- EHIC/GHIC card or proof of application
Further information on gathering the necessary documents can be found on Terradota.
How to Apply for your Visa
Once you have registered your Visa Application on the France Visas Portal (for your EEF number), you will need to register on TLScontact visa centre. You will need to book an appointment and track you Visa Application process. For more details about the procedure, please click here.
A full overview of the Visa Process can be found here.
Visa Appointment Guidance
Appointments can be booked in advance of up to 3 months and 15 days prior to the Date of Entry. You are recommended to apply as early as possible to have the best possible availability of appointments.
In addition to your documents make sure you also have:
- Application Form
- France-Visas receipt
- Travel Documents – Passport, US Greencard, BRP card etc
- Campus France email confirmation
- Campus France EEF number
- Further information about the Digital visa application pre-requisites can be found online: https://www.campusfrance.org/en/student-visa-for-france-login-to-france-visas
What you need to do in France
If you have a Long-Term Student Visa for over 6 months, upon your arrival in France, you will need to complete administrative obligations to transform your visa into a regular residence permit. These formalities will also allow you to access the services and benefits provided by the French administration. They differ depending on the visa issued to you.
You will have 3 months to complete your validation of your visa. If you fail to do so, you will be illegally present in France and will be unable to re-enter the Schengen Area.
The validation procedure is now completely online. To begin, please visit the following website: https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr/particuliers/#/
The French government reserve the right to invite you for a further meeting with the Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration (OFII). The OFII meeting requires you to take a stamped OFII form , along with a copy of students passport info page and a copy of French visa.
Information about OFII meeting can be found on Terradota.
As a result of the UK departing the European Union on 1 January 2021, entry and visa procedures now vary from country to country.
PLEASE NOTE the University cannot guarantee that the information on the country-specific pages is up to date.
The information is taken from various sources which is copied here as a convenience and for informational purposes only. The University does not endorse or approve the information and is in no way responsible for the accuracy, legality or content.
Global Opportunities strongly encourages students/staff to continuously check the UK Government's foreign travel advice for the latest updates on entry restrictions and requirements: Foreign travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and to also check the information provided by the relevant country's embassy to the UK.