Embarking on an educational journey in France is an exciting opportunity. Before diving into the rich culture and top-tier education, securing your student visa is crucial. This guide provides a comprehensive checklist to ensure you have all the necessary documents and information for a smooth application process. Let’s get you one step closer to your study-abroad dream!
Student Visa Documents checklist for VFS
Here’s a non-exhaustive checklist of documents required for the French student visa application.
- Long-Stay Visa Application Form (complete and download)
- 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)
- VFS Appointment Letter
- Campus France NOC e-mail
- Attestation Etudes en France (EEF Certificate)
- French University Admission Letter and(or) Certificate
- Receipt of partial or full tuition fee payment for the academic year.
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Passport (Original along with 2 copies of the front and last pages)
- Old passports: if you own one or more former passports, you must bring them
- 10th & 12th Class Marksheets, School Leaving Certificate
- Transcripts and Degree Certificates (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees)
- Work-related Documents (only if you have work experience)
- Work Experience Certificate(s)
- Work Contract
- Letters of Recommendation
- Financial Proof (check the detailed article How to show funds for your french student visa application and renewal?)
- Proof of Accommodation (whichever is applicable)
- Rental Agreement
- Attestation de Residence from the college (Residence confirmation certificate). However, the college should be a recognized institution. You can check with your alumni about the acceptance of the accommodation certificate issued by your college.
- 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)
- Schengen Travel Health Insurance for students (3 months)
- Flight Ticket (return not required)
Please ensure that 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Should I get the bank statements attested by the local bank or downloaded statements are accepted?.
- Yes, it is highly recommended to get the bank statements attested with a seal and signature from the local branch. Tis can be done 1-2 weeks before the VFS appointment.
- If you are very late and do not have sufficient time to visit the bank, then submit the downloaded bank statements.
Can I book dummy flight tickets for the visa application and later book the actual tickets?
- Dummy flight tickets are not advised for student visas.
- If you are doing everything in time including starting the visa application process 3 months from the date of departure, you can book a normal ticket. I did the same too.
- If you are going to submit a late application, you can book a flexible ticket which allows changes.
Indian Students Group
Since 2020, A non-profit telegram group for Indian students is actively managed by Indian alumni, who graduated in France. The group covers the various topics relevant to our Indian students enrolled in French colleges and universities.
References
- My own student visa experience and from hundreds of students.
- Visa application guidelines france-visas.gouv.fr
- Student visa documents in.ambafrance.org
- List of documents required – Long-stay Visa application for students lc.ambafrance.org
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For Visa document submission only cover letter is enough (explaining my motivation, future plans, funding details..etc) or I have attach statement of purpose (SOP) also.
Can you please clarify both SOP and Cover letter required.
If possible can you please share samples since im preparing for my visa document submission.
Hello, A SOP is only required for the admission process. Please follow the documents mentioned in the checklist.
Hi Prasanth, Just an update that we got from Campus France this year during a pre-departure session. Flight Ticket is not a mandatory document for French Student Visa.
Hello, Thanks for the info. But I had mentioned flight ticket for a reason. So, I leave it to your choice.
Hello Prashant garu,
I got admitted in Neoma Business School for January 2025 intake for Master in Management (MiM) program. My course starts from Jan 6th, 2025. I’m thinking to book slot on Nov 6th, 2024.
My father is a self employed business man (Stock market investor & trader). His source of funds is through the same thing (capital gains).
He filed ITRs from long back. Present financial year ITR (2024-25) is around 20 lakhs. But last year ITR (2023-24) is only around 2-3 lakhs (this was done deliberately, but officially…to get applicable in one of the government scheme)
So as the ITRs has major difference between 2 years.. does this cause Visa rejections?
Right now.. I have a loan sanction letter of 44 lakhs approved from Yes Bank. And my father has around 20 lakhs in his savings account. (From these 20 lakhs, 10 lakhs were consistently present after acceptance of my admission. But remaining 10 lakhs were added recently not even a week before).
And in my case, what documents should be submitted in Visa regarding Finances?
ITRs for 3 years
Bank statements for 3-6 months
Loan sanction letter
Affidavit of Support
Sponsor cover letter
Bank balance letter
CA Report (for proof of professional situation)
Are these documents enough? As few people were insisting me to submit demat account holdings statement, capital gains holdings, etc (related to stock market)
Please answer my query – as no one perfectly knows what to do in my case!
Hello Spandana,
If your bank loan of 44 lakhs is enough to fund the expenses of your Masters, then the documents from your father are irrelevant.
All thee things are explained clearly in https://prasanthragupathy.com/2023/06/how-to-show-funds-for-your-french-student-visa-application/
and https://prasanthragupathy.com/2023/08/indian-students-group-bachelors-masters-and-phd/
Understood! That’s a point.. but is my Loan Sanction letter alone enough for the Visa purpose without any support of ITRs, as I haven’t worked and my bank statements doesn’t have sufficient fund
2. If I’m showing my father as sponsor, drastic income range difference between 2 years such as 20 lakhs in present year and 2-3 lakhs in previous year.. does this scenario raises any suspicious kind of thing in terms of Visa?
3. I’m from Andhra Pradesh, but I wanted to book VFS slot in Chennai ( I have relatives there, to stay with them for few days), as the jurisdiction is different and long, is this any issue?
Please revert back, as I can be clear with the Finances part and move to VFS.
1. Keep it simple and avoid unnecessary complications. Please follow my article regarding finances and documents required.
2. Parents’ sponsorship and documents are required only if the education loan amount is not sufficient.
3. You can apply in Chennai too.
Please refer to the discussions in https://prasanthragupathy.com/2023/08/indian-students-group-bachelors-masters-and-phd/ All these topics have been discussed exhaustively 100s of times over the years. Nothing more to add.
@rprasanthkmr_fr good morning , i am in a confused situation currently regarding the financial means .
I am a salaried person and applying for france study
There is no tuition fee for my studies so i have to show only the living expenses .
I am planning to take a 8L personal loan for this or borrow money from my friend. Which option will be good ?
Do they ask the source of income when we submit bank statement ?
If i arrange the find few weeks before application of visa is that fine ?
Hello Vivek,
Please refer to the detailed explanations in https://prasanthragupathy.com/2023/06/how-to-show-funds-for-your-french-student-visa-application/