France is a popular destination for international students due to its high-quality education, low tuition fees, and standard living. French universities consistently rank high in international university rankings, with dozens of them being recognized for their academic excellence. In this guide, we are sharing valuable insights into the process of obtaining a France student visa, ensuring you are well-prepared for your academic journey.

Consider some of the best universities from France that we recommend:

There are two types of study visas depending on the duration of the study program in France institutions.

The documents required to be attached to the visa application include:

Note:

Long-stay visa applications should be submitted well before departure as it takes a minimum of 30 days to obtain the visa after the embassy interview.

To get a French student visa, it is necessary to schedule an appointment at the VFS Global Centre in Pakistan. You must bring all the required documents to your appointment, along with copies of each document, including the passport and its ID pages. The service provider or consulate will review your application, collect the visa fee, capture your biometric data (photo and fingerprints), and keep your passport and copies of all supporting documents to forward to the consulate.

During the visa application process, Pakistani students will be required to provide biometrics. Biometrics are additional identification measures, such as fingerprinting and photographs, that countries use for security purposes. You may need to attend a visa interview during the application process.

The Long-stay visa from France is valid for more than 6 months. To stay for the duration of your degree program, you may need to renew your visa every year. If you wish to remain in France after completing your degree, you will need to apply for a different visa or a visa renewal through the immigration office.

In your first year of studies, it is sufficient to have a long-term student visa to prove your residency status. Once you arrive in France, you will need to register at the local French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) within a month and undergo a medical examination to validate your visa.

If you plan to stay for more than one year, you must apply for a Carte de Séjour (CDS) or ‘titre de séjour‘, an official residence permit in France, starting from your second year of studies.

You can work part-time (60% of full-time) with a valid residence permit. When applying for a job, inform your employer that you are a foreign student to be considered for a part-time position.