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International
students of all nationalities
enjoy the right of multiple
entries into France. Once
granted, their visa is automatically
renewed for the duration of
their studies in France.
A special
visa exists for prospective
students. The so-called étudiant-concours
visa is granted for stays
of no more than 90 days for
the purpose of taking an entrance
examination or visiting institutions
of higher education. Prospective
students who pass their examination
receive a full student visa
without returning to their
country of origin. The prospective
student visa also may be granted
to students whose admission
to a higher education institution
is contingent upon their completion
of a short course of remedial
or refresher work.
To obtain
a visa, visit the French consulate
in your place of residence
or the visa office of the
French embassy.
Two
points to remember
Under no circumstances
may a tourist visa be converted
into a student visa.
International students of
all nationalities intending
to stay in France for more
than 3 months must obtain
a student identification card.
What documentation
do I need to get a visa?
Passport
The passport must be valid
for the entire period of validity
of the visa.
Proof
of enrollment
The following documents will
be accepted as proof:
An
offer of preliminary admission
A statement of preregistration
in a public or private institution
of higher education. The document
must specify the level of
study and the student's subject.
If the institution is private,
the statement must indicate
the number of course hours
and state that registration
fees have been been paid in
full.
- Proof of financial resources
Each French embassy sets the
level of financial resources
to be demonstrated by prospective
students from that country.
The amount is on the order
of 3,000 francs for each month
to be spent in France.
Proof
of insurance coverage
Proof of insurance
must be provided by students
over 28 who are nationals
of a country that does not
have a reciprocity agreement
with France or who are enrolled
in an institution that is
not recognized by the French
government to participate
in the student health insurance
plan.
Parental
authorization
Minors (individuals
under 18 years of age) must
furnish proof of consent by
the person or persons having
parental authority.
Required
vaccinations
In some cases, the
consulate may require proof
of vaccination (e.g., against
yellow fever, cholera…) before
a visa will be issued.
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