To find general information and to submit and track your application, log on to France-visas, the official website for visa application to France.
Student visas - General information
If you want to study in France for more than 90 days, you may need to apply for a visa.
Follow the visa wizard to find out if you need a visa for France.
If you need a long-stay student visa, you must first register on the Etudes en France platform before applying on the France-Visas website.
For more information, go to “How to obtain a visa if you have been accepted into a French higher education program?”.
Student visas - Students in exchange in France
Students on a university exchange program lasting more than 90 days in France must obtain a long-stay visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS). You need to follow the steps below to obtain your student visa:
You must first register on the Etudes en France platform before applying on the France-Visas website.
Create your account, enter your supporting documents and submit your application. A processing fee of CAD$150 will be charged once your application has been validated.
The Espace Campus France in your district will validate your file, and you can submit your visa application in person to the VFS service provider nearest you: Canada - France-Visas.
The Etudes en France procedure must be completed before applying for a visa in person. No visa application will be processed without a completed Etudes en France procedure. Students are responsible for ensuring that their application is complete and that it is followed up.
For more information, go to “How to obtain a visa if you have been accepted into a French higher education program?”.
Student visas - Students already accepted in a French school
Students accepted for training in France lasting more than 90 days must obtain a long-stay visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS). You need to follow the steps below to obtain your student visa:
You must first register on the Etudes en France platform before applying on the France-Visas website.
Create your account, enter your supporting documents and submit your application. A processing fee of CAD$150 will be charged once your application has been validated.
The Espace Campus France in your district will validate your file, and you can submit your visa application in person to the VFS service provider nearest you: Canada - France-Visas.
The Etudes en France procedure must be completed before applying for a visa in person. No visa application will be processed without a completed Etudes en France procedure. Students are responsible for ensuring that their application is complete and that it is followed up.
For more information on Etudes en France, please read this page: "How to apply for your visa if you have been accepted into a French higher education program?"
No visa obligation for European students
If you are a citizen of a European Economic Area country (European Union country (EU), Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) or Switzerland, you do not need a student visa to study or carry out an internship in France. You may freely enter French territory regardless of the length of your stay or your studies.
On the other hand, you must have a health and maternity insurance and sufficient financial resources to meet your needs during your stay.
Short-stay visas
If you wish to study in France less than 90 days:
- Depending on your citizenship, you may be required to apply for a short-stay visa (check with the visa wizard)
- If you hold a Canadian citizenship, you do not need a visa to stay less than 90 days in the Schengen Area (of which France is a member).
