Study in France

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France,officially the French Republic is a country primarily located in Western Europe, consisting of metropolitan France and several overseas regions and territories.France is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations.

For 25 years, France has been the first tourist destination in the world.Every French region has its specificities. By studying in France, you will discover a diverse country with a rich and multi-cultural history.

France has the world's fifth largest economy and 31 of the world's 500 most powerful companies. Many French industrial groups are leaders in their sector with a worldwide presence, including Airbus, Total, Orange, Sanofi, LVMH, L’Oréal and Danone.

With 40,000 workshops and 100,000 craftsmen and women, France is an international reference in many skilled domains, particularly arts and crafts and upmarket fields such as jewellery, fashion, crystal glassmaking and architecture. Further industrial innovation through design is particularly well-established in France.

Area : 357,021 km sq
Currency: Euro
Spoken language : French
Location: Western Europe

Application Procedure

Different types of visa are required depending on your situation.
All students, regardless of the level of their programme, can avail of easier procedures.
If you wish to pursue your studies in a higher education institution for a period exceeding 6 months, you must apply for a long-stay visa for studies. Take care to apply well in advance and make sure that your passport is valid when you make the application.

SHORT-STAY VISA (LESS THAN 90 DAYS)

Short-stay visas are governed by European regulations. This non-renewable short-stay visa allows stays of up to 3 months in the 26-country Schengen zone. Holders of this visa do not require the French residence permit.
Short-term visa for students attending interviews or appearing for entrance tests:
This visa entitles the holder to enter France for the purpose of attending an interview or appearing for an entrance test at an institution of higher education. If successful, students in this category may apply for a 1-year renewable residence permit in France and will not be required to return to their home country to do so.
Students applying for a short-stay visa (less than 90 days) do not need to go through Campus France.

LONG-STAY VISA

For a period longer than 3 months (90 days), you must complete the Campus France application process prior to applying for the French visa.

To apply for a long-stay student visa, you must follow the step-by-step procedure explained here below:

STEP 1: Online Registration

Create an account to www.india.campusfrance.org
Fill the Campus France form (academic records, language skills, CV+SOP etc.).
Submit your file online.
Campus France will review your file and give you an appointment date.
Pay Campus France fees (For payment information, contact Campus France): http://ifindia.in/payment/

STEP 2: The Academic Interview

You will be required to appear in person, with all necessary documents (originals + one set of photocopies), for the academic interview with the Campus France advisor.
At the interview, you will be asked to explain your reasons for choosing France and the institution where you have been granted admission.

STEP 3: Online visa application and scheduling of appointment with VFS - France

After the academic interview, complete your application on our online portal: https://france-visas.gouv.fr/

You will be asked to create a France-Visas account, which you will need for each step of the process.
We will schedule an appointment with VFS-France, to submit your documents (photocopies) and passport (original).
All visa applicants have to go in person at any of the listed VFS centres to register their biometric data.

STEP 4: Validate your Long-stay Visa / residence permit (VLS-TS)

Within the first three months following your arrival, you must register and validate your visa at the following: https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr/particuliers/

This quick and simple process will ensure that you are registered as a legal resident in France.

STEP 5: Apply for your residence permit

If you want to stay in France at the end of the validity period of your VLS-TS, you must apply for a residence permit at the prefecture of your place of residence two months prior to the expiry date of their visa.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Visas are granted at the sole discretion of the French Consular Authorities. The required documents are as follows:

Valid passport
Cover letter
Proof of funding
Proof of accommodation
Medical insurance
Flight ticket

FOR STUDENTS GOING TO FRANCE FOR AN INTERNSHIP

Students going to France for internships must provide the following document in addition to those listed above while applying for a visa:

Convention de Stage
This document is mandatory. The Convention de Stage is an agreement between the employer (it can be a company or a host institution), the intern’s home institution in India, and the intern.

The Convention de stage stipulates the dates of the internship, the general tasks and mentions that the internship is relevant to the course of study. It contains information on the institution in France and the Prefecture de Police (police department). This document also provides mandatory supplemental workplace insurance.

Note: If you are going for an internship for more than 3 months, you must get a stamp from La Direccte, the labour authority in France.

French Embassy in India

Embassy of France in India
2/50-E Shantipath
Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110 021
Tel: 91 (11) 4319 6100
Fax: 91 (11) 4319 6119

VFS

Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Mezzanine Level
Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place
New Delhi- 110001
Email: info.francein@vfshelpline.com
Call Centre: - 022-67866013 (08:00 – 17:00) Monday to Friday