🇫🇷 Long-Stay Student Visa (VLS-TS)
Category: Student · Processing time: 2–4 weeks (peak before September)
⚡ Quick Answer
France's VLS-TS Student Visa is the standard long-stay study visa, validated with OFII on arrival and convertible to a residence permit.
Visa record in MigrantIQ database.
Apply through official authority
France-Visas / OFII
Always submit applications through the official source. Last verified 2026-05-07.
Visa type
Student
Processing time
2–4 weeks (peak before September)
Fees
CvecFee: EUR 100/year
Validity
Confirm on official source
Stay duration
Confirm on official source
Entry type
Confirm single/multiple entry rules
Insurance
Confirm if required
Bookmark
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Overview
Long-stay visa for students enrolled at a French higher education institution.
- Leads to permanent residency: No
- Requires job offer: No
- Language required: No
- Minimum education: Acceptance letter
- Financial requirement: Confirm current proof-of-funds rules on the official source
- Accommodation proof: Confirm if accommodation proof is required
- Return ticket: Confirm if onward/return travel proof is required
Estimated Costs
- - CvecFee: EUR 100/year
- - ApplicationFee: EUR 99
Required Documents
- - Acceptance letter
- - Proof of funds (~EUR 615/month)
- - CVEC payment
- - Insurance
- - Accommodation
Application Steps
- Apply via Études en France or France-Visas
- Book biometrics
- Submit documents
- On arrival, validate visa with OFII
Always confirm the latest steps and forms on the official portal: France-Visas / OFII →
Travel Insurance Requirement
- Mandatory: Confirm with official source
- Minimum coverage: Confirm current coverage rules
- Valid regions: Confirm accepted regions
- Approved providers: Use providers accepted by the official authority
Embassy, Consulate & Appointments
Embassy, consulate, jurisdiction, and appointment details vary by applicant location. Confirm the correct office before booking travel or paying fees.
Open appointment or official portal →Application checklist
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Benefits & What This Visa Allows
- - 964 hrs/year work
- - Pathway to APS post-study residence
- - Conversion to titre de séjour
Trust & safety
Before you pay or submit documents
Use the official portal for applications and payments. Be careful with agents who guarantee approval, ask for personal-account transfers, or pressure you to send originals before a written contract.
Relevant laws
- Housing Contract and Deposit Rules
Housing · Severity: Medium
Rental contracts in France may require written terms, legal deposit handling, inventory records, notice periods, and landlord registration. Never rely only on informal chat messages for long-term housing.
- Immigration Status and Overstay Rules
Immigration · Severity: Critical
Your right to stay in France depends on the exact visa, residence permit, entry stamp, or visa-free allowance you hold. Do not assume a pending application, job offer, or school admission automatically extends your lawful stay.
- Work Authorisation Rules
Employment · Severity: Critical
In France, a visa that allows entry does not always allow work. Paid employment, freelancing, remote work, internships, and trial shifts may each have different permission rules.
Active scam alerts
Some agents overcharge newcomers for translations, notarisation, apostilles, or courier services for France, and may produce documents that are not accepted by official authorities.
Scammers impersonate airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents and claim you must pay a special fee to enter France, avoid questioning, release documents, or fast-track border checks.
Fraudsters offer admission, scholarships, or student visa packages for France through unofficial agents. Victims may receive fake acceptance letters that fail verification during visa processing.
Scammers advertise fake apartments in France, pressure newcomers to transfer a deposit before viewing, and disappear after sending a fake lease or copied property photos.
Quick Eligibility Check
Use this self-check for Student Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS). It does not replace official legal assessment.
Common Rejection Reasons
- - Incomplete or inconsistent documents
- - Insufficient financial evidence
- - Unclear purpose of visit or weak ties to home country
- - Missing translations, signatures, appointment confirmations, or required forms
Application Tips
- - Start with the official checklist before paying any third party.
- - Keep bank statements, employment letters, travel plans, and accommodation details consistent.
- - Book appointments early and keep copies of every submitted form, receipt, and confirmation.
- - Do not use agents who guarantee approval or request payment to personal accounts.
Sources & References
Use these references for verification. Official government and appointment portals override summary guidance on MigrantIQ.
- France-Visas / OFII
Official source for forms, appointments, fees, and final requirements.
- MigrantIQ visa record
Summary record maintained for planning and source verification.
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Frequently Asked Questions
This visa is designed for applicants matching Student pathway criteria.
Typical processing time is 2–4 weeks (peak before September), subject to documentation quality and application volume.
Start with eligibility evidence, document checklists, and proof of funds before submitting.