Lori Meadows
France is a popular destination for international students, thanks to its rich higher education system and 80 billion Euro Research and Innovation programme. International students can travel to France provided they meet certain criteria. Students must apply for a long-stay visa, which is valid for up to a year, and after that, they can apply for a residence card. They must also prove sufficient financial resources, with a minimum of 615 euros per month. During the pandemic, students were required to produce proof of full vaccination and a sworn declaration that they had been free of COVID-19 symptoms. France uses a colour-coded system to classify countries according to their COVID-19 safety ranking, and students' travel plans may depend on how their country of origin is classified.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| International students' travel to France during the pandemic | Allowed, provided certain criteria are met |
| France's safety ranking system for countries | "Green", "Orange", and "Red" |
| Travel requirements for students from "green" countries | Negative PCR test from the past three days |
| Travel requirements for students from "orange" countries | PCR test after a seven-day isolation period, exempted international travel certificate, and other documents justifying travel |
| Travel requirements for students from "red" countries | Vaccination is mandatory |
| Visa requirements for international students | Long-stay visa (VLS-TS) valid for 4 months to 1 year, which can be renewed after 1 year |
| Requirements for obtaining a visa | Enrollment in an institution, proof of monthly resources of at least €615, and proof of qualifications and proficiency in French |
| Additional requirements for students with a visa for an EU country | Hosting French school/university must notify the Ministry of the Interior |
| Health insurance for international students | Covered by student health insurance schemes |
| Safety concerns in France | "Date-rape" drugs, "smash and grab" robberies, and frequent demonstrations |
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What You'll Learn
- International students must obtain a long-stay visa (VLS-TS) before travelling to France
- Students must prove they have sufficient financial resources (at least €615 per month)
- France's colour-coded safety ranking system determines travel requirements for international students
- Students must produce proof of full vaccination and a sworn declaration that they have been free of COVID-19 symptoms
- International students can renew their right to stay and obtain a residence card after one year in France
International students must obtain a long-stay visa (VLS-TS) before travelling to France
International students intending to stay in France for longer than three months must obtain a long-stay visa (VLS-TS) before travelling to the country. The VLS-TS student visa allows international students to pursue studies in France for a period of four months to one year. It must be validated within three months of arriving in France.
To obtain this visa, students must first check if they need to apply for it. This depends on their home country and their plans. They can use the visa assistant on the France Visas website to perform this check. Once they have confirmed that they need a VLS-TS visa, they can proceed with their application.
The VLS-TS visa allows students to travel outside of France and the rest of the world whenever they wish. However, they must validate their visa before travelling outside of France beyond the first three months of their arrival in the country. To validate their visa, students must register on a dedicated website within three months of their entry into France. As part of the validation procedure, they may be invited to pass a medical exam and/or conclude a contract of Republic integration (CIR).
If students wish to extend their stay in France after the validity dates of their VLS-TS visa, they must apply for a residence permit with the Préfecture within the two months before the expiration of their visa. If their VLS-TS visa is about to expire and they want to stay in France to continue their studies, they may apply to renew it by applying for a multi-annual residence permit. This application must be done in France, three months before their VLS-TS visa expires.
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Students must prove they have sufficient financial resources (at least €615 per month)
International students can travel to France, but they must meet certain criteria. One of the most important requirements is proving that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their stay.
Students travelling to France are generally expected to prove they have a minimum monthly income of €615. This amount is intended to cover their living expenses, including accommodation, food, transportation, and other personal expenses. This requirement ensures that students can financially support themselves while studying in France and are not entirely dependent on external sources or employment.
For short stays, the financial requirements may differ. Foreigners with an accommodation certificate or proof of a hotel room booking must provide €32.50 or €65 per day, respectively. Those without proof of a hotel booking must show €120 per day. Additionally, all visitors must have insurance covering medical and hospital expenses of at least €30,000.
For longer stays, such as a 6-month study program, students will need to demonstrate a higher amount of financial resources. A minimum balance of €3,690 in their bank statement is often required for this duration. This amount ensures that students can cover their expenses for the entire duration of their stay.
There are several ways to demonstrate financial resources. The most common method is providing a bank statement reflecting the required amount for the duration of the stay. Scholarship holders can submit a certificate stating the scholarship amount and duration. Students supported by a guarantor, such as parents, can provide a financial liability undertaking, the guarantor's bank statement, and a copy of their ID.
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France's colour-coded safety ranking system determines travel requirements for international students
France has implemented a colour-coded safety ranking system to determine travel requirements for international students. The system classifies countries as either "green", "orange", or "red", based on their COVID-19 situation. This ranking system influences the entry requirements for students travelling to France.
Students from "green" countries are exempt from vaccination requirements, provided they present a negative PCR test taken within the previous three days. Countries in this category are deemed the safest in terms of COVID-19 control. For those from "orange" countries, additional measures are necessary. They must undergo a seven-day isolation period, followed by another PCR test. Moreover, they need to furnish an exempted international travel certificate and other documents substantiating their reason for travel.
The most stringent requirements are reserved for students hailing from "red" countries, signifying active COVID-19 circulation and variants. Travellers from these countries must be fully vaccinated to gain entry into France. This rule is in accordance with the border measures currently imposed by the French authorities.
France's colour-coded system adapts to the evolving pandemic situation, with countries moving between categories as their COVID-19 circumstances change. International students are advised to stay informed about their country's ranking before making travel plans. The French Agency for the promotion of higher education, Campus France, provides valuable resources and updates on their website for students intending to study in the country.
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Students must produce proof of full vaccination and a sworn declaration that they have been free of COVID-19 symptoms
International students are welcome to travel to France, provided they meet certain criteria. The French Agency for the promotion of higher education has updated its website with information for students who want to travel to the country.
Students from green countries may enter without vaccination as long as they have a negative PCR test from the past three days. If students are coming from an orange country, they must take an additional PCR test after a seven-day isolation period. They must also show an exempted international travel certificate and other documents justifying their travel. Students from red countries will not be able to enter the country unless they are vaccinated. They must also provide proof of their location of self-isolation and access details for inspectors to carry out checks.
Unvaccinated students, regardless of their country of origin, must provide a negative PCR or antigen test within 48 to 72 hours before boarding and on arrival. They must also submit a sworn statement declaring that they have not exhibited any COVID-19 symptoms and have not been in close contact with anyone with COVID-19 within the 14 days before departure. The statement should also indicate their agreement to undergo screenings on arrival and self-isolate for 7 to 10 days.
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International students can renew their right to stay and obtain a residence card after one year in France
France has always been a popular country for international students to travel to for their studies. The country boasts 13 regions with a rich higher education cluster and an 80 billion Euro Research and Innovation programme, the biggest in Europe. In addition, France's exciting social culture, including annual celebrations like Bastille Day, adds to its allure.
During the pandemic, France continued to welcome international students and researchers, provided they met certain criteria. Students from sub-Saharan Africa, the Maghreb, the Middle East, and Europe, in particular, showed a renewed desire to travel to France for their studies post-pandemic.
For international students, travelling to France requires a visa. There are different types of visas available, depending on the nature and duration of your stay. For example, the "`étudiant-concours`" visa is a short-stay visa that cannot exceed 90 days and is issued when the results of an entrance examination are known. Another option is the Long Stay Visa, valid as a Residence Permit for students (VLS-TS), which can be issued for a period of 4 months to 1 year.
After spending one year in France on a long-stay visa or a temporary residence card as a student, you can renew your right to stay and obtain a multi-year residence card. This card is renewable and allows you to continue your studies in France.
To renew your residence permit, you must apply online. It is recommended to start this process three months before your current permit expires to avoid paying a fee of 180 euros. The validity period of the first multi-year residence permit issued will correspond to the number of years remaining in your study programme. For instance, if you have completed the first year of your undergraduate degree, your renewed residence permit will be valid for two years, covering the remainder of your degree.
Additionally, there are specific requirements you must meet to obtain a residence card. These include being enrolled in an institution of higher education or initial training and justifying monthly resources of at least 615 euros. Your entire course since your entry into France will be considered when assessing the reality and seriousness of your studies.
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Frequently asked questions
International students travelling to France must obtain a long-stay visa (VLS-TS) for a period of 4 months to 1 year. After staying in France for 1 year, students can apply for a temporary residence card for 1 year or a multiannual card. Students must also be enrolled in an institution and justify monthly resources of at least €615.
France categorises countries as "green", "orange", or "red" based on their COVID-19 safety ranking. Students from green countries may enter without vaccination with a negative PCR test from the past three days. Students from orange countries must take an additional PCR test after a 7-day isolation period along with an international travel certificate. Students from red countries must be fully vaccinated.
International students should be aware of strikes that may interfere with travel plans and the possibility of demonstrations that can turn violent. Additionally, students should be cautious of "date-rape" drugs in bars and clubs and "smash and grab" robberies in certain areas.
