VFS Checklist: Documents for French Student Visa application

Student Visa checklist for VFS

Here’s a non-exhaustive checklist of documents required for the French student visa application.

1. Long-Stay Visa Application Form (complete and download)
2. Two passport-size photographs meeting set standards. One must be attached to the application form (Size 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, with a clear background)
3. VFS Appointment Letter
4. Campus France NOC e-mail
5. Attestation Etudes en France (EEF Certificate)
6. French University Admission Letter and Certificate
7. Receipt of partial or full tuition fee payment for the academic year.
8. Cover Letter
9. Curriculum Vitae
10. Passport (Original along with 2 copies of the front and last pages)
11. Old passports: if you own one or more former passports, you must bring them
12. 10th & 12th Class Marksheets, School Leaving Certificate
13. Transcripts and Degree Certificates (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees)
14. Work-related Documents (only if you have work experience)
    • Work Experience Certificate(s)
    • Work Contract
15. Letters of Recommendation
16. Financial Proof (check the detailed article)
    • Expense statement
    • Bank statements from the last 3-6 months
    • Student Loan sanction letter (if a bank loan is used)
    • Scholarship certificate (if applicable)
    • Your Salary Slips (if self-sponsored)
    • Your Income Tax Returns for the last 2 years (if self-sponsored)
    • Notarized affidavit for sponsorship from Parents or Relatives (if sponsored by them)
    • Parents’ or Relatives’ proof of income like salary slips, company registration certificate, etc (if sponsored by them)
    • Parents’ or Relatives’ Income Tax Returns for the last 2 years (if sponsored by them)
    • Parents’ or Relatives’ Bank statements from the last 3-6 months (if sponsored by them)
17. Proof of Accommodation (whichever is applicable)
    • Rental Agreement
    • Attestation de Residence from the School (Residence confirmation certificate)
    • If you are hosted by someone free-of-charge, Attestation d’hebergement with ID proof, and a recent utility bill (less than 3 months) from the person in France.
    • Attestation from Airbnb or Hotel (only when the booking is for a long term of at least 6 months. Use it only as a last-minute option)
18. Schengen Travel Health Insurance for students (3 months)
19. Flight Ticket (return not required)

Please ensure you have originals of documents and photocopies of each for submission. The originals can be verified during the VFS appointment and they will be returned except the passport.