Study in France, build from Europe
France offers a serious academic and professional setting, with access to European companies, internships and long-term career routes.
02 — Student visa
A French student visa is a process to prepare well.
For non-EU students, the usual route is the long-stay student visa. The decision belongs to the French authorities, and local steps can vary by country. DSTI’s work is to make sure admitted students prepare from accurate information, coherent documents and a credible academic project.
Included support for admitted DSTI students
Prepare once, prepare properly.
Campus France, France-Visas, visa centres and French Consulates may ask for different appointment steps, financial evidence, interviews or documents depending on the student’s country. A good file is clear, consistent and ready to be explained.
DSTI has maintained a strong global student visa success track record because applicants are selected seriously and preparation starts from a real academic project.
VLS-TSCommon long-stay student visa route for programmes longer than three months.
€50/€99Indicative France-Visas student visa fee depending on local procedure; service fees may apply.
964hAnnual student work allowance in France, to be used around academic priorities.
90%+DSTI’s global student visa success rate has been around, and often above, this level since 2015.
Typical route
From admission to visa decision.
The exact local procedure must always be checked through the student’s official route. The usual sequence remains understandable when each step is prepared in order.
01Admission and DSTI documents
The student is admitted, secures enrolment steps and receives the relevant DSTI documents for visa preparation.
02Campus France route
Where applicable, the student follows the Études en France / Campus France procedure before or alongside the visa application.
03France-Visas file
The official online application is completed with the local checklist, financial evidence, accommodation preparation and supporting documents.
04Appointment or interview
Biometrics, a document check, a Campus France interview or a consular interview may be required depending on the country.
05Decision and arrival planning
The final decision belongs to the French consular authorities. When the visa is granted, arrival planning moves into practical detail.
CoherenceWhat the file should prove
A genuine admission, a clear study project, credible finances, accommodation preparation and consistency between the student’s background, chosen programme and future goals.
TimingStart in weeks, not days
Students should start as soon as admission is confirmed and required documents are available. Appointment availability, Campus France processing, biometrics and consular review can all add time.
CostsBudget for the full local process
The visa fee is modest, but local visa-centre service charges, translations, document preparation or travel to appointments may also create costs.
InterviewBe ready to explain the project
Where interviews apply, students should be able to explain their academic route, financial plan and choice of programme naturally and honestly.
Blocked accountNot a general French requirement
A blocked account is not standard for all applicants. It is a local requirement or financial-proof mechanism in some countries, so students must follow their own official local instructions.
Student workWork rights with academic priority
A French student visa normally allows paid student work up to 964 hours per year. It gives flexibility, but it should remain a complement to the study plan, not the main way to fund studies.
03 — Before arrival
From admission to arrival, one step at a time.
The work begins before the journey. Students need to know which decisions are urgent, which documents belong together, when accommodation should be addressed and how to prepare for the first weeks in France.
1Admission documents and payment confirmations are prepared clearly.
2Visa preparation follows the local Campus France, France-Visas or consular route.
3Accommodation planning starts early, using DSTI guidance and partner platforms.
4Arrival steps such as CVEC, insurance, health insurance, transport and banking are anticipated.
04 — Accommodation
Housing is prepared early, with recognised tools.
Accommodation is one of the first practical questions for many families. DSTI provides routes, platforms and guidance so that the search becomes concrete early, with packaged student-residence offers, verified rentals and guarantor-support options clearly identified.
Nexity Studéa
Nexity Studéa gives students access to packaged student-residence offers that are easier to identify, compare and book before arrival.
Open DSTI accommodation platform
Studapart
Students can search for apartments or shared rooms through Studapart, with guarantor support options for students without a local guarantor.
Open Studapart for DSTI
FeelFrançais
FeelFrançais helps admitted students prepare visa and arrival steps, including documents, interviews, insurance, CVEC and everyday administration.
Open FeelFrançais
Monthly guidance
€1,000Approximate monthly budget on the French Riviera.
€1,200Approximate monthly budget in Paris.
Accommodation & Daily LifeResidence options, Studapart, monthly budgets and daily-life guidance for Paris and the French Riviera are grouped on the dedicated page.
Open the accommodation page