student visa and scholarships

Disclaimer: This page is intended for non-EU students. The information provided is for guidance only and may be subject to change. For the most up-to-date details, please consult the official Campus France and Service.Public.fr websites.

Visa obtention

If you are a EU citizen, you don't need to apply for a visa to study in France.

If you are not an EU citizen, you need to apply for a visa online, please refer to this site for the latest informations on the procedures and necessary documents. 

The acceptance letter you received from us is the necessary document to obtain a visa for non EU student called Long Stay Visa valid as residence permit for students (VLS-TS) mention “Exemption of residence card” (VLS-TS "ÉTUDIANT", VISA LONG SÉJOUR VALANT TITRE DE SÉJOUR)).

Long Stay Visa valid as residence permit for students (VLS-TS) mention “Exemption of residence card” 

You will have to apply for a Long Stay Visa valid as residence permit for students (VLS-TS "ÉTUDIANT", VISA LONG SÉJOUR VALANT TITRE DE SÉJOUR). Fore more information and online tutorials please click here.

It gives the right to:

• travel freely in all countries of the Schengen area

• work 964 hours a year

• receive housing benefits (VISALE, CAF etc.) and social security

• extend your stay beyond the validity of your visa by applying for a residence permit at the local Préfecture

The Long Stay Student Visa valid as residence permit (VLS-TS Etudiant) allows you to study in France for a period of four months to a year. When it expires, you must apply for a residence permit to stay in France, if you are a permanent student. 

Once you have received your nominative acceptance letter, you must apply for the student visa as soon as possible

If your country of residence is connected to the  Campus France. / “Études en France” procedure, you must first complete the Campus France pre-consular procedure. Once this step has been validated, you will then complete your visa application through the France-Visas portal.

If your country of residence is not connected to the Campus France / “Études en France” procedure, you should apply directly through France-Visas and follow the instructions of the French consular authorities responsible for your country of residence.

Beware! This visa is valid for studies in France from 4 months to 1 year and it must be validated online within 3 months after arrival on the site of the l'Administration Numérique des Etrangers en France (ANEF).

Visa Renewal

If you need to RENEW your current student visa, you have to do this online by logging in into your personal account that you created to obtain a student visa the first time. Please click on this video and on this link for more information. To obtain the most updated list of the documents necessary for the visa renewal please check the section - "Après un an de séjour - Quels sont les documents à fournir pour le renouvellement du titre de séjour étudiant ?".

You have to renew your visa within 2-4  months from the expiry date of your student visa. For example: if your residence permit expires on September 1st, 2024, you have to submit your renewal request between May 1st and July 1st, 2024.  For more info, please click here.

Once you submit your renewal request before the expiry date of your current residence permit, the prefecture will issue you a récépissé (or attestation de prolongation).

This temporary document allows you to remain legally in France under the same rights and conditions as your current permit,  including the right to:

• continue your studies

• work part-time (up to 964 hours/year)

• complete internships

You are therefore considered legally resident in France even if your original card has already expired, as long as your renewal request is being processed. 

If you only have a récépissé (temporary receipt of renewal), you are strongly advised to remain in France and avoid travelling abroad. In most cases, a récépissé does not allow you to leave France and re-enter, especially if you travel outside the Schengen Area. You may be refused boarding or re-entry at the border unless the récépissé explicitly states “autorisation de retour” (re-entry permission), which is not automatic.

For more official information, please always consult the French government website.

Staying in France after your studies: Carte de séjour ou VLS-TS - Recherche d'emploi/création d'entreprise

After graduating from Strate with a diploma equivalent to a Master’s level in France, you may be eligible for a temporary “job seeker / new business creator” residence permit (carte de séjour “recherche d’emploi / création d’entreprise”).

The permit is valid for 12 months and cannot be renewed.

It allows you to:

• Stay in France after graduation to gain your first professional experience,

• Look for work and work legally during this period,

• Create a company in a field related to your studies.

More information is available here: Campus France (in English) or Service.Public.fr (in French)

Scholarships

You can find information about available scholarships from the French government on this website.