If your program is shorter than 6 months, you will receive a temporary student visa. Under no circumstances may temporary student visas be renewed or converted into long-term student visas.

A special 3-month visa (marked étudiant-concours) is granted to students traveling to France to sit for an entrance examination or receive preparatory training. Students who pass the examination and are admitted to an institution are entitled to apply for a long-term student visa without returning to their home country. The "étudiant-concours" visa may be used in cases where the student must complete a short period of preparatory training before being admitted to an institution.

Neither CampusFrance nor any other organization, individual, or entity has any role in the visa-granting process, which is the responsibility of the French consular service

To obtain a visa, make an appointment with the nearest French consulate or with the visa service of the French embassy in your country. Neither CampusFrance nor any other organization, individual, or entity has any role in the visa-granting process, which is the responsibility of the French consular service. We urge you to make early contact with the French consulate in your area. Familiarize yourself with the list of documents to be submitted and note whether they need to be translated or authenticated. Submit only one file, and make sure it is complete in every way.

Information sheet "Visas for students" (PDF)