Types of Student Visa for France: Process & Work Permissions for Indian Students

France offers three main types of student visas based on the length and purpose of your studies: the Short-Stay Student Visa, the Temporary Long-Stay Visa (VLS-T), and the Long-Stay Student Visa (VLS-TS).

France offers various types of student visas, and international students can avail of a suitable French student visa according to the nature and the length of the program they are going to study. The main categories of student visas in France are short-stay (Schengen) visas that are valid for programs under 3 months, temporary long-stay visas (VLS-T) that remain valid for 3-6-month programs, and long-stay visas (VLS-TS) for programs longer than 6 months. Indian students going to study a degree-level program must apply for the VLS-TS visa in France. In this article, we've provided information on different types of student visas in France.

France has come up with a new initiative to welcome over 30,000 Indian students annually by 2030. The objective behind this is to nurture academic excellence, tighten cultural ties, and enhance the friendship between the two countries. The announcement regarding this was made by French President Macron. The French Embassy further shared that this is a specialised programme through which students will obtain comprehensive training in the French language and other academic disciplines. This way, they will be able to do well in their studies and adapt to the French education system smoothly. You may also check the student guide on studying in France.

Types of French Student Visas

The French Student Visas are broadly classified by the kind of stay expected of you. Depending on the duration of your stay (or duration of your course), you can apply for either a Short Stay visa, a temporary long-stay visa or a long-stay visa. Here’s a quick look at them.

If you are still deciding whether France is the right study destination for you, then here you may check the Top 10 Benefits of Studying in France.

Extended Stay Research Scholar Visa in France

The institution can get you to France on an extended stay research scholar visa VLS-TS. This visa is officially called the "Talent Passport - Researcher" (passeport talent-chercheur) VLS-TS and is for master's degree or higher degree holders who wish to visit France to carry out research or teach at a university. For this, students will require a hosting agreement, called a convention d’accueil, which is arranged by the host institution in France. The document describes the nature, length, financial resources, and lodging conditions of the research work. 

The total validity of Campus France Researcher Talent Passport matches the exact length of your hosting agreement (convention d'accueil) for up to a maximum of 4 years - which is renewable.

The Talent Passport - Researcher (passeport talent-chercheur) VLS-TS differs significantly from traditional student visas because it operates as a professional/work framework rather than a pure academic tracker. While regular student visas treat you as a learner paying for classes, the Researcher visa treats you as a high-level academic worker. Also, a regular student visa requires an admission notice from a university. The Researcher visa strictly requires an authorised Convention d’Accueil detailing your salary and contract terms. Lastly, under the Talent Passport, your spouse receives an automatic "Talent-Family" permit granting them immediate, unrestricted full-time work rights in France

General Documents Required for Applying for a French Student Visa

International students who wish to apply for the French Student Visas must provide:

1. Admission Letters from the polytechnics, Universities/ higher education institutes
2. Visa Application form
3. French Language Proficiency Certificate
4. 2 passport-size photographs
5. Valid Passport
6. Language Proficiency Certificate (as desired by the course)
7. Academic Transcripts
8. Airline Ticket reflecting your departure date
9. Medical Insurance (with a cover of €30,000)
10. Proof of Funds
11. Proof of Civil Status, if applicable
12. Proof of Accommodation

This is along with the essential copies of ID proof as well as age proof.

For the proof of funds, the candidate has to show documentary evidence that s/he is capable of taking care of the living expenses in France for at least the first year of studies. The figure is decided by and shared by the immigration authorities and stands at €877.50 per month (roughly €10,530 for the first year of studies). This figure is strictly over and above any remaining tuition fees. 

Note:- This balance must be displayed as fully clear, liquid funds (such as 3 to 6 months of consistent bank statements, a certified education loan sanction letter, or an official scholarship stipend certificate)

You may also check the Cost of Living in France 2026.

How to Apply for a French Student Visa in India?

Indian students pursuing an academic program in France for more than 90 days must apply for their long-stay student visa via Campus France India. Indian nationals fall under the mandatory Études en France (EEF) procedure, a streamlined pre-consular system designed to facilitate international student enrollment and verify academic credentials.

To start the process, students must register online on the official Études en France Portal. It is a common misconception that students applying to autonomous or private institutions can bypass this agency and apply straight to the French Consulate. In reality, all long-stay student visa applicants from India must complete the Campus France academic screening and interview before their application can advance to the visa stage, regardless of the university's type or partnership status.

The actual visa tracking occurs across two distinct steps:

1. Campus France India reviews your online EEF profile, validates your academic files, and conducts a mandatory academic interview.
2. Once approved, you complete an online application via France-Visas and book a physical appointment at a VFS Global Centre to submit your passport, biometrics, and physical documents.

Programs for which a French Student Visa is Required

• Full-Time Higher Education Programs (Undergraduate, Postgraduate and PhD tracks)
• Structured Student Exchange Programs
• Long-Term French Language Programs (over 3 months)
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
• Short-Term or Long-Term Internships integrated into university curricula

Work Permissions on Student Visa

There are different policies for international students to work in France. Each of them can be understood on the basis of  the stage at which students are seeking work opportunities in France. 

1. Employment Rights During Your Studies

The Long-Stay Student Visa (VLS-TS) permits international students to work part-time up to 964 hours per year (corresponding to roughly 60% of a standard annual full-time schedule) as long as it does not interfere with their courses. Many students opt to work directly at universities or higher education institutions, which frequently offer yearly employment contracts tailored around the academic calendar. All international student workers are legally entitled to receive France’s national minimum wage (SMIC)

2. Employment Rights After Completion of Studies

Upon successfully completing a Master’s degree or PhD, international graduates can apply for a temporary post-study residence permit called the RECE permit (formerly known as the APS). Under the standard framework, this permit is valid for 12 months, but a special bilateral agreement allows Indian graduates to renew it once for a total stay-back period of two years. The RECE permit removes the student hours cap entirely, allowing you to take up full-time employment across any professional sector.

To legally convert this stay-back permit into a long-term professional Work Permit (Carte Salarié), you must secure a full-time job offer in your field of study that meets a minimum salary threshold, currently set at 1.5 times the national minimum wage guarantee (approximately €2,734.55 gross per month).

This was all about the different types of study visas in France for international students. You may read more in this regard by visiting the links below.  

• Part Time Work Options in France
• Campus France - What is it?

If you seek assistance for studying in France, reach out for Shiksha's Counselling Services for free.