Indian students go through the Campus France Études en France (EEF) procedure before the visa: a file review and academic interview for INR 20,000 from 1 August 2026, then the long-stay student visa at €50. You must show €877.50 a month for the first year under the rule that took effect on 1 August 2026, and validate the visa online within three months of arrival.
Who qualifies for a French student visa? An applicant admitted to a French institution for a course of more than three months, who has completed the Campus France EEF procedure (mandatory for Indian residents), can show living costs of €877.50 a month for the first year plus tuition, holds accommodation for the first months and has health cover for the first weeks. English-taught programs need the English level the school sets; French-taught programs need DELF or TCF at the required level.
What does it cost? INR 20,000 to Campus France India for the EEF file and interview (from 1 August 2026), €50 for the long-stay student visa (€99 for applicants outside the EEF procedure), the VFS service fee, and after arrival the online VLS-TS validation tax of €50 for students. Public university tuition for non-EU students is €2,895 a year for a bachelor's and €3,941 for a master's, with many exemptions; grandes écoles and private schools charge more.
How long does it take from India? Campus France interviews are booked two to four weeks out and the file decision follows within about a week; the visa appointment at VFS is booked once EEF is complete and the consulate decides in about 15 days, up to three weeks in July and August. Start EEF by April for a September intake and apply for the visa by early July.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Long-stay visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS) 'étudiant' |
| Government fee | €50 under the EEF procedure (€99 otherwise) |
| Campus France EEF fee | INR 20,000 from 1 August 2026 |
| Funds | €877.50 a month for 12 months (from 1 August 2026), plus tuition |
| Processing | About 15 days after the VFS appointment; up to 3 weeks in peak |
| Validation after arrival | Online within 3 months; €50 tax for students |
| Work | 964 hours a year (about 20 hours a week) |
| After graduation | Up to 2 years' job-search permit for Indian master's graduates; 5-year short-stay visa for alumni |
The long-stay student visa needs an admission to a course of more than three months at a recognised institution and a credible, funded study plan. For Indian residents the Études en France platform run by Campus France is compulsory: you upload your academic record and motivation, pay INR 20,000, attend an interview at a Campus France office (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh or Kochi), and receive a decision that the consulate relies on. A weak EEF interview is the main reason Indian student files are refused.
From 1 August 2026 the financial requirement is €877.50 a month for the first year, shown with the student's or sponsor's bank statements over three to six months, an education loan sanction letter from an Indian bank or NBFC, a scholarship letter, or a French guarantor's attestation de prise en charge with income evidence. Accommodation for the first months (a student residence booking, a lease or a host's attestation) and tuition payment or a payment plan complete the file.
English-taught programs rely on the school's English requirement; French-taught programs need DELF B2 or TCF at the level the school sets, and some schools require A2 French even for English programs. Students under 18 need parental authorisation. The consulate can interview applicants in addition to Campus France.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Campus France EEF fee | INR 20,000 | From 1 August 2026; file review and academic interview |
| Long-stay student visa | €50 (€99 outside EEF) | Paid in rupees at VFS; not refunded |
| VFS Global service fee | Set by VFS | Per application |
| VLS-TS validation tax (students) | €50 | Paid online within 3 months of arrival |
| Public university tuition, non-EU | €2,895 bachelor's; €3,941 master's a year | Many universities waive the differential fee |
| Student health insurance | Free | Register with the French social security (Assurance Maladie) after arrival; travel insurance for the first weeks |
Vistolane charges the €50 fee at the official rupee rate and shows it on the price card; the Campus France fee is paid directly on the EEF platform.
| Stage | Typical time | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Admission to EEF file complete | 1 to 3 weeks | Pay INR 20,000 and upload documents |
| Campus France interview | 2 to 4 weeks to the slot | Prepare course, funding and career answers |
| EEF decision | About 1 week | Posted to the EEF account |
| VFS appointment to visa decision | About 15 days; up to 3 weeks in July and August | Apply by early July |
| Arrival | Up to the course start | Validate the VLS-TS within 3 months |
Students with January intakes run the same sequence from September. Book the Campus France interview as soon as the admission arrives; slots in Delhi and Mumbai fill fastest in June and July.
Students may work 964 hours a year, about 20 hours a week, without a separate permit. Spouses of master's and doctoral students can apply for the 'talent-family' or visitor route depending on the program; most student spouses apply separately. After graduation, Indian master's graduates can obtain a job-search or business-creation residence permit for up to two years under the 2018 India-France migration and mobility agreement, and alumni with a French master's qualify for a five-year short-stay visa.
Graduates in employment move to the 'talent' residence card: qualified employees with a French master's at €39,582 or the EU Blue Card at €59,373, or to the standard salarié permit with a work authorisation. The France work route page covers the thresholds and the €350 card tax.
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Passport valid 3 months beyond the visa, two blank pages | Previous passports |
| France-Visas form, receipt and EEF confirmation | Two photos, 35x45 mm |
| Campus France EEF attestation | Printed from the EEF account after the decision |
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Admission letter | Course, dates, tuition and payment status |
| Academic transcripts and degree certificates | As uploaded to EEF; originals at the appointment |
| Language evidence | English test at the school's level, or DELF/TCF for French-taught courses |
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Evidence of €877.50 a month for 12 months | Bank statements, loan sanction letter, scholarship, or French guarantor's attestation with income proof |
| Accommodation for the first months | Student residence booking, lease or host attestation |
| Travel insurance for the first weeks | Until Assurance Maladie registration is active |
The interview did not convince on course choice, academic fit or career plan.
The fix. Prepare a specific study plan linking your record to the program and a career outcome; you can reapply through EEF with a stronger file.
Balances below €877.50 a month, recent lump sums, or a loan not yet sanctioned.
The fix. Hold the full year's amount for several months with documented sources, or obtain a sanction letter confirming disbursal.
No proof of where you will live or no cover for the first weeks.
The fix. Book a student residence or obtain a host attestation and buy travel insurance for the gap.
A course below your level, repeated changes of field, or evidence the aim was work.
The fix. Choose a program that follows from your record and explain any change directly.
Names, dates or grades differing between EEF uploads and originals.
The fix. Check every document against the passport and transcripts before the appointment.
Yes. Indian residents must complete the Études en France procedure (INR 20,000 from 1 August 2026), including the academic interview, before applying for the student visa; the consulate relies on the Campus France opinion.
€877.50 a month for the first year under the rule that took effect on 1 August 2026, plus tuition, shown with bank statements, an education loan sanction letter, a scholarship or a French guarantor's attestation.
€50 for applicants in the EEF procedure, paid in rupees at VFS, plus the VFS service fee. The €50 VLS-TS validation tax is paid online after arrival.
Indian master's graduates can obtain a job-search or business-creation residence permit for up to two years, and alumni of French master's programs qualify for a five-year short-stay visa. Graduates in work move to the talent card or salarié permit.
Yes. Vistolane prepares the Études en France file and interview, the France-Visas application and the VFS appointment; study-abroad consultants run whole intakes through the same workspace and the €50 fee is shown at the official rate.