The long stay student visa

1. General Information

IMPORTANT: American citizens DO NOT NEED visas if they stay less than 90 days.

The visa issued will depend on the duration of the studies in France.

You have to apply with the French Consulate in Houston, only if you study or reside in one of the following states : Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. If this is not your case , click here.

AN APPOINTMENT PER PERSON IS MANDATORY. Read the instructions and book online by clicking here. 

PERSONAL APPERANCE IS REQUIRED.

BE AWARE THAT THE PROCESSING TIME MAY BE OF TWO WEEKS.

You must obtain your Student Visa while in the USA. The visa cannot be issued once the applicant is in France.

Applications cannot be processed more than 3 months ahead of time.

2. Do I need a visa ?

Yes except if you are a citizen of Switzerland, Andorra, Vatican, San Marino, Monaco or of the European Economic Area :

Also special rules apply for family members of an European Union citizen or family members of French citizens.

3. Documents required

1. Original passport or travel document (+ ONE COPY of the identity pages). Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years ago, be valid for at least three months after your return to the US and have at least 2 blank visas pages left.
   
   
2. Processing fee
   
   
3. One application form in French OR in English filled out completely and signed by the applicant. NO COPY.
   
   
4. One residence form duly filled out (upper part only)
   
   
5. One ID picture (white background, full face, no glasses nor hat, closed mouth).
   
   
6. "Attestation" from CAMPUSFRANCE
   
   
   1. STEP 1 : register and obtain an "attestation" from "CAMPUSFRANCE", www.usa.campusfrance.org, prior to applying for a visa at the Consulate.
   2. STEP 2 - Once you complied with CAMPUSFRANCE requirements, please make an appointment.

   WARNING: Be aware that it takes at least 3 weeks to receive the attestation. Please note that the attestation usually comes in the form of an email send to your CampusFrance account mailbox and starts with "your enrollment is now complete". DO NOT come to the Consulate to apply for your student visa if you do not have the attestation.
   
   

7. Proof of registration or letter of enrollment in a School / University (original + 1 photocopy)
   
   
8. Financial guarantee such as
   a. a notarized statement from your parents certifying that the applicant will be provided with a monthly allowance of $820 (or 615 Euros) for the duration of his/her stay in France,
   b. OR a proof of personal income along with a letter from school stating that room, board, and tuition are fully prepaid.
   
   
9. If you are not a U.S. citizen: A valid U.S. permanent residence card ("green card") or a valid U.S. visa with valid I-94 or valid I-20 (original + 1 photocopy).
   
   
10. A self-addressed prepaid envelope to return your passport with visa IF you cannot come back to the Consulate for collection.
    
    Fill out as follows :
    
    

 4. Important information 

• The consular administration has full authority to evaluate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant.
  
  

• Please be aware that submitting the aforementioned documents does not guarantee the approval of the visa.
  
  

• Please note that holders of visas are still subject to immigration control upon first entry into France. The visa itself does not grant the right to enter France.
  
  

• Please be aware that the visa application process (between CampusFrance and the Consulate) can take up to 4 weeks.