France Student Visa 2026: VLS-TS Étudiant Process, Documents, Campus France & Interview Tips

The France long-stay student visa VLS-TS Étudiant is the official permit for Indian students enrolled in French programmes longer than 90 days. Issued by the French Consulate in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata or Pondicherry through VFS Global, it costs €99 (around ₹9,000) and is typically granted within 4–6 weeks (20–30 working days) after Campus France clearance, with university acceptance and proof of €615/month for living expenses. This 2026 guide covers every document, every fee in INR, the Campus France interview, and the OFII validation that must be completed within 90 days of arrival in France.

What is VLS-TS Étudiant

VLS-TS Étudiant (Visa Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour Étudiant) is a long-stay visa that doubles as your first-year French residence permit. It is valid for the duration of your programme up to one year at a time, after which you renew it as a multi-year carte de séjour pluriannuelle. It permits part-time work up to 964 hours per year and unrestricted Schengen travel.

France Student Visa Fees in INR

Step-by-Step Visa Process 2026

Eight steps from offer letter to VFS submission. (1) Receive university admission letter. (2) Create Campus France account on inde.campusfrance.org and pay ₹18,500. (3) Upload documents and book Campus France interview. (4) Attend 30–45 minute personal interview at one of seven Espace Campus France offices. (5) Wait 4–8 weeks for Campus France clearance NoC. (6) Book France-Visas online appointment with VFS Global. (7) Submit documents at VFS centre + biometrics + visa fee. (8) Collect passport with stamped visa in 4–6 weeks (20–30 working days post-Campus France interview). Apply 60–90 days before programme start date.

Campus France Interview

The Campus France interview is mandatory for all Indian students applying to public universities and Grande Écoles connected to the Études en France platform. Conducted in English (or French if you prefer), it tests motivation, programme knowledge, future career plans, and source of funds. The interview is held in person at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Pondicherry or Hyderabad. Without Campus France clearance, the French Consulate will not process your visa application.

Proof of Funds (€615 / month)

You must show €615/month for the first year of studies (the VLS-TS visa is issued for one year and renewed in France) per inde.campusfrance.org. For a 1-year master's that is €7,380 (≈ ₹6.7 lakh). Acceptable proofs: bank balance in your name or sponsor's name held for at least 3 months, fixed deposits, education loan sanction letter from a recognised Indian bank, or a scholarship award letter covering the threshold. Block account with Société Générale or Crédit Agricole is recommended but not mandatory.

Document Checklist 2026

Required documents: valid passport (2 blank pages, valid 3 months beyond stay), VFS-printed visa form, two passport photos (35×45 mm), Campus France ID + NoC, university admission letter, proof of accommodation (CROUS letter or rental contract), proof of funds (3-month bank statement), health insurance for first 3 months, academic transcripts and certificates, English / French language proficiency proof (IELTS / TEF / DELF), CV and motivation letter, and OFII form. EEC provides a current 2026 checklist tailored to your specific programme and institution.

Campus France Interview Tips

Expected questions: why France over UK / Canada / USA, why this specific university and programme, what other universities did you apply to, your career goals five years from now, how will this programme help, who is funding you and the source of funds, your plan if the visa is rejected, your knowledge of French language and culture, and whether you intend to return to India. Honest, specific answers with concrete numbers win. Vague answers fail. EEC delivers a mock interview with 22 of the most-asked Campus France questions in our 26 Gujarat centres.

OFII Validation Within 90 Days

Within 90 days of arriving in France, you must validate your VLS-TS Étudiant visa with OFII (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration) by paying a €50 stamp duty online, completing a residence registration form, and attending a medical examination if requested . Without OFII validation your visa becomes invalid for re-entry into France. The process is online for most cases through administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr.

Common Rejection Reasons

Top France student visa rejection causes for Indian applicants: weak Campus France interview, insufficient proof of funds (less than €615/month), poor motivation letter, unexplained gap years, inconsistent documents, applying to too many unrelated programmes, low academic profile vs chosen Grande École, and weak ties to India suggesting intent to overstay. EEC's France visa approval rate exceeds 92% — gaps and weak academics are pre-managed through targeted profile-building well before submission.

EEC Edge — France Visa Success

EEC manages every step: Campus France registration, mock interview training, university shortlisting based on visa-approval history, document compilation and notarisation, VFS appointment booking, motivation letter review, proof-of-funds structuring, OFII pre-arrival briefing and post-arrival check-in. EEC has guided thousands of students through France, Germany, Ireland and Netherlands visas with a combined Europe visa approval rate over 90%. See related France cost guide.