France Student Visa 2026: Funds, Fees and Work Hours
To study in France for more than three months, a student from outside Europe needs the long-stay visa valid as a residence permit, known as the VLS-TS "étudiant". It doubles as your residence permit for the first year, lets you work part-time and can be renewed in France. This guide covers the money you must show, every fee, the work limit and the renewal rules, taken from Service-Public.fr, Campus France and France-Visas as read on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
The student VLS-TS is valid for 4 months to 1 year. You must show resources of at least €877.5 per month. The visa application fee is €99, and you pay €150 when you validate the visa online, which must be done within 3 months of arrival. Students may work 964 hours a year, 60% of annual working time. For 2026–2027, non-EU students at public universities pay €2,902 a year for a Bachelor's and €3,950 for a Master's.
Who needs the student VLS-TS
You are concerned, in Service-Public.fr's words, if you come to France to pursue higher education and do not already hold a residence permit for personal or family reasons. You must be registered or pre-registered in a public or private institution of higher education or initial training, or in a higher vocational training organisation. Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland do not need a visa to stay for more than 90 days. Algerian students follow separate rules.
The requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Enrolment | Registration or pre-registration at a higher education institution or higher vocational training organisation |
| Resources | At least €877.5 per month. The test does not apply if you passed the entrance examination of an institution that has signed an agreement with the State |
| Passport | Issued less than 10 years ago, at least two blank pages, valid at least 3 months beyond the expiry of the visa applied for |
| Photos and biometrics | Two recent ID photos; one photograph and 10 fingerprints taken at the appointment |
Accepted proof of resources
Service-Public.fr lists these in its document list for the student residence permit:
- A French government grant or a European programme: proof of that status.
- A scholarship from your home country: a certificate from the paying agency stating the amount and duration.
- Support from a third party: proof of their identity plus bank certificates showing regular transfers.
- Your own funds: a bank certificate showing a sufficient credit balance.
- Work, at renewal: your last 3 payslips.
Two application procedures
Which one you use depends on where you live.
- "Études en France" (Studies in France): Campus France lists 73 countries under this procedure. You first apply to enrol through the Études en France platform, and your visa application is then sent automatically to the French consular authorities. The countries include India, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, Nigeria, Japan, South Korea, Turkey and Vietnam.
- France-Visas: students living in other countries apply through the standard visa procedure with the French consular authorities.
If you are coming only to sit a competition or entrance exam, you apply for a "student-competition" short-stay visa instead. Pass the exam and you can apply directly for a student residence permit at the prefecture.
What it costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Long-stay visa application fee | €99 |
| Fee when validating the student VLS-TS | €150 |
| Tax and stamp duty for a student residence permit at renewal | €150 |
| Extra fee if you renew after the deadline | €180 |
France-Visas notes that the visa fee can be waived or reduced for certain applicants, including students whose file has been examined by a centre for studies in France, and that visa fees are not refunded, even in case of refusal.
Tuition fees for 2026–2027
| Degree at a public institution | EU, EEA and Swiss students | Students from outside the EU |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | €178 per year | €2,902 per year |
| Master's | €255 per year | €3,950 per year |
| Doctorate (PhD) | €397 per year | €398 per year |
Campus France explains why the figures are low: the French government funds most of the real cost of education, typically between €10,000 and more than €15,000 per student per year. Some non-EU students pay the lower rate, among them residents of Québec, holders of a long-term resident permit, people who have declared France as their tax residence for more than two years, and refugees. Students on a French government scholarship get an automatic full waiver. Some engineering schools under other ministries charge different rates, so check the school's website.
After you arrive: validate within 3 months
- Go to the online portal of the Digital Administration for Foreigners in France as soon as you arrive.
- Have ready a valid email address, your visa information, your date of arrival, your home address in France and a bank card.
- Pay the €150 fee online. Campus France notes that without a bank card you can buy an electronic stamp and pay in cash.
The deadline matters. If you do not validate within three months, France-Visas warns, you will no longer be a legal resident of France or be able to re-enter the Schengen Area.
Working while you study
- The student VLS-TS or residence card lets you work as an employee, without a work authorisation, for a maximum of 60% of annual working time, which is 964 hours.
- Campus France expresses the same limit as 20 hours per week.
- Your employer must make a declaration to the prefecture 2 working days before you start.
- If your course requires paid work beyond 964 hours, the employer must apply for a work permit. An apprenticeship contract validated by the competent body is exempt.
What else the visa gives you
- Free travel in all the countries of the Schengen Area.
- Access to VISALE, the free security deposit service for students who rent.
- The right to extend your stay in France beyond the first visa.
These rights differ from those of a temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T), so check which type has been issued to you.
Renewing after the first year
| Point | Rule |
|---|---|
| When to apply | At the earliest 4 months and at the latest 2 months before your document expires, online only |
| Conditions | Enrolment, monthly resources of at least €877.5, and studies that are real and serious |
| What is checked | Attendance, examination results, diplomas obtained and explanations for any change of course |
| Card issued | A temporary card valid 1 year, or a multi-year card valid for the number of years remaining in your course |
| No reply | If the prefecture has not replied within 90 days, that is an implicit refusal, which you can challenge within 2 months |
Service-Public.fr gives an example: finish the first year of a Bachelor's degree and you receive a card valid for 2 years.
Staying to work after graduation
Two routes follow from a French degree. A "job search or creation of a company" residence card lets you take a job that corresponds to your training, provided the pay is above €2,800.53. And a graduate with a French diploma at master's level and a contract paying at least €39,582 gross a year can move to the talent card for qualified employees, which needs no work authorisation.
How long the visa takes
France-Visas says the decision-making time on visa applications is usually 15 days and may be extended up to 45 days in special cases. Processing times vary with nationality, the purpose of the stay and local conditions, so allow time to obtain an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need for a French student visa?
You must be able to show resources of at least €877.5 per month, according to Service-Public.fr.
How much does a French student visa cost?
The long-stay visa application fee is €99, and you pay €150 when you validate the visa online after arrival.
Can international students work in France?
Yes. A student VLS-TS or residence card allows work for up to 964 hours a year, which is 60% of annual working time, without a work authorisation.
How long is a French student visa valid?
The student VLS-TS is issued for a period from 4 months to 1 year. After that you can apply for a 1-year or multi-year student residence card.
What are tuition fees in France for international students?
For 2026–2027, non-EU students at public institutions pay €2,902 a year for a Bachelor's and €3,950 for a Master's. Doctoral programmes cost €398.
What happens if I do not validate my VLS-TS?
You must validate it within 3 months of arrival. If you do not, you will no longer be a legal resident of France or be able to re-enter the Schengen Area.
When should I renew my French student residence permit?
Apply online at the earliest 4 months and at the latest 2 months before your current document expires. A late application costs an extra €180.
Official sources
- Service-Public.fr — Foreign student in France: long-stay visa or residence permit (verified 1 August 2026)
- Campus France — Long-stay visa valid as residence permit for students (updated 5 August 2026)
- Campus France — Tuition fees in France (updated 25 June 2026)
- Service-Public.fr — Authorisation to work for a foreign employee (student work limit)
- France-Visas — Frequently asked questions (visa cost, validation)
- France-Visas — The process
- Service-Public.fr — Talent card
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. Tuition fees are set for each academic year, so confirm them with Campus France and the French consulate for your country. Information, not legal advice.