France

Application Form:

France is the fourth destination for quality education. Before you plan to get a degree in any subject in France, you first need to apply for admissions at the school, college or university of your choice. Application submission  at a university in France is same as that of other countries. As an applicant, you make out whether you are a European local or an international student.Then you complete the application process in toto and submit all the required documentation at the time of submission. When you do this, it will show thatyou are ready to attend college, so that you can speed up the process.

University Application deadlines

Application for French universities is available twice a year:

  • Fall / autumn admission by 1 February and 1 April (in some cases, after this date as well, based on available spaces)
  • Spring admission by September 15, and after this date, based on available spaces
  • Applications for Post-Bac (Parcoursup): from 22th January to 13th March
  • Applications for TCF during DAP process: from November until January 22nd

Anyone who wants to attend college in France must complete the application process.. Often, a college will look at backgrounds; therefore you need to keep CV which can give information about the achievements since schooling.

EU Applicants:

If you are a student already living in the European Union who wishes to attend a college or a university, you need to understand the following for studying in France.

Submission of application:

  • You can obtain an application at the website or you may pick up an application at the school that you wish to attend in person.
  • Fill all the questions raised in the application. This will help university to understand about you clearly and also your desire within the college.
  • The applications generally vary from institution to institution, but the contents are alike.
  • You fill your name, address and personal details including your social security number. Further you can provide the details of your educational history, including secondary institutions, and also your income and other details.
  • You may need to provide a copy of your photo identification or driver’s license and such other documents as may be required for admission purpose.
  • A transcript which can provide details of your high school diploma or relevant equivalent. You should also provide a transcripts from colleges that you have previously attended, without which you cannot submit the application. If you do not have transcript copies, you can easily obtain them by contacting the previous institutions that you attended. You can also get it by fax.

Essay about yourself:

As already stated, if you wish to submit an application to a college offering specialized degrees, you need to submit an unambiguous essay on any of the topics suggested.It is one of the most critical components of the entire application process.You need to research the topic at hand and show that you are knowledgeable in the topic.It is quite simple to conduct research and learn about most things, and it is advisable that you take a lot of time to prepare your essay. Get the essay typed properly which may demand properproof-reading, make sure it is flawless.

Proficiency in English:

If English is not your first language you also need to provide proof that you are proficient in the language.There are several tests that you can take (details given in Eligible Exams section.

Financial Aid Programs:

There are many different financial aid programs available for students who are local to France. These programs provide a great assistance in easing the costs of attending school. If you wish to avail of the facility, you should indicate it on the college application.

Submit the application along with all correct documents and remit fee if required, otherwise your application will not be considered. As a result you may lose a chance.

Non EU Applicants

International students from other parts of the world, other than EU, if interested in seeking admission in a college should follow procedures.

Submission of application:

  • As you are away from France, you need to find the appropriate application on the website of the college that you wish to attend, download, fill in the application, print and mail it back along with the documentation for admission to the concerned college.
  • You have to submit a transcript from all institutions (including high school and college)that you have attended in the past.
  • You need to provide a copy of the passport and passport size photograph.
  • If the course that you are attending is for duration of more than three months you need to apply proof that you have a Visa in addition to the passport.

Essay about yourself:

If higher education institutions insist that you have to write an essay, you must do so. It is a critical part of your acceptance or denial into the college. You need to research the topics at hand and demonstrate that you are knowledgeable in the topic.State facts in your essay and prove that you can write well thought out information.This will do well in your favor when you want to get into a college. You write the essay to the best of your ability, type it properly, and ensure proper proof-reading before you submit it.

Proficiency in English:

This can be obtained through a TOEFL test which can be completed either online or offline.You should complete this test well in advance of applying for college.The results of TOEFL should be submitted along with your application.

Birth Certificate:

A copy of your birth certificate is needed when you apply to a French university, as well as a certified translation showing the birthplace of both of your parents. This is mandatory for all international studentsregardless of their country of origin.

Additional Procedures:

International students from other parts of the world, other than EU, in case they live in Europe, have to complete additional steps as may be required by the college.

Proof of Financial Ability:

As per the French law, you need prove that you have enough money to cover all of the expenses you will incur while attending college. This proof will convince the college that you live in France to pursue education comfortably.

DAP:

International students, other than the French, willing to seek admission to the first year of Bachelors at a university or school of architecture, you need to take DAP.

"Demanded`AdmissionPréalable - DAP" is a preliminary request for admission to higher education. For this, a prior admission request (DAP) is compulsory, before January 22, 2018.

Conditions:

  • who have a good knowledge of the French language (minimum level: B2 )
  • who do not have French nationality,
  • who do not live in France,
  • Who have just obtained, or who will obtain in 2018, a secondary school leaving certificate allowing access to higher education (Matura)

DAP is exempted, provided you have:

  • French nationality
  • lived in France
  • obtained a French diploma (baccalaureate or European baccalaureate)
  • registered to masters or doctorates
  • for exchange programs

 

Documents / Certificates Required:

When you are applying ensure that you have all of the following documents readily available and on hand to submit.

  • A Campus France authorization
  • Birth Certificate of Candidate
  • Birth Certificate of Parents (transcript)
  • A copy of your passport
  • A passport sized photo of yourself
  • Social security registration (free)
  • Resume (only in some cases, and only for postgraduate degrees)
  • Prior admission or pre-registration certificate provided by the university
  • Copies of past exam transcripts (a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA or equivalent)
  • Copies of graduation diplomasand their French translation
  • A copy of your European health card (for EU students)
  • Many colleges charge a fee to submit an application(185 EUR/year for a Bachelor`s degree, 260 EUR for a Master’s and 390 EUR for a PhD)
  • A civil liability certificate
  • A cover letter
  • French and/or English proof of language proficiency
  • Proof that you have the financial resources to fund your stay in France(with a minimum of 800 euros per month)

 

Eligible Exams in English/French

International students not proficient in English or French need to take the concerned examination listed below:

French Proficiency Tests:

  • TCF (Test de connaissance du français - Test of knowledge of French)
  • Le TEF (Test d’évaluation de français - French assessment test)
  • DELF (Diplômed`Études en Langue Française)

 

  • DALF (Diplômeapprofondi de langue française)

English Proficiency Tests:

  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
  • TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

Once you take the examination, you need to submit the scorecard to the college or university in France.

The institution or college in France will review the application along with the document that you submit. Make sure how far you fit into the course, if found suited, you will receive an acceptance letter, so that you can get yourself admitted.

 

Final steps after receiving your acceptance letter

  • Institutions inform students of their admission decisions between June 15 and September 15 for programmes beginning in October.Thereby, you will only have around a month to prepare all the arrangements for your departure to France.
  • If you are a non-EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen, you will have to apply for a student visa.
  • If you plan to study more than six months in France, you will have to apply for a residence permit at French local authorities ("Préfecture").
  • You will have to prove you have sufficient funds to support yourself. 
  • Health insurance:
    • If you are from the EU, you can use the European health insurance card. 
    • If you are non-EU, you are eligible for the national health insurance offered in France.
    • You must therefore register on the website to avail benefit from French social security health spending repayments.
  • Once you arrive in France, register in person at your university in France. You must pay about 90 EUR as a fee to campus and students life.

 

Immigration policy:

People from other parts of the world, other than EU, have to undergo the procedures of immigration policy of France, before they enter in to France. The immigration policy is governed by Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (French Diplomatie). The Ministry has given considerable discretionary powers to the French Consulate in their decision to grant or deny visas. The procedures have been streamlined from time to time for entry of professionals, group level transfers and students. French law has made distinction between visa and stay documents. A long stay visa, or entry permit, is required for all persons requesting a stay document.Accordingly, people from overseas have to undergo the procedures followed by French Consulate Authority. Members from OECD countries and USA do not require the long stay visa if their trips to France is less than 90 days.

A visa, or entry permit, is required for all persons entering France intending to remain there for more than 90 days and/or work or study in France. For that purpose, they have to submit petition to the French Consulate having jurisdiction over their residence.

Immigration is one of the biggest political challenges for any country including France. Government of France acts prudently to address political crisis. Generally the crisis arises due to inadequate security of migrants, exiles and traffickers. The issue of African migration spread to many countries including France. France in particular launched several initiatives to help people trapped in Libya and fight human trafficking network, in association with several international agencies.

Asylum seekers from Sudan, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mali have also entered to France which forced the Government of France had to accord protection by OFPRA.

Residence Permit

International students, upon arrival in France, are required to apply for residence permit. For this purpose, you are required to contact the French Prefectural Authority in your place of residence in order to apply for a residence permit within two months of entering the French territory.

Family members of a national of an EU Member State, EEE or Switzerland require residence permit “family member of a union citizen”. For this purpose, they are required to contact French Prefectural Authoritywithin three monthsof entering the French territory.

Holders of a long-stay visa marked “CESEDA R.311-3” are required to contact the French Immigration and Integration Office (OFII) immediately on arrival in France.

Immigration and VISA

Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is authorized to lay down policies relating to various types of visas. The visas are required for tourism, studies, family reason and for work. Further visas are broadly classified into two categories – Short-stay visas and Long-stay visas.

Short-stay visa

Short stay visas also known as Schengen visasare issued for a period not exceeding three months per every six months. It is required for a brief entry into France, so that people from overseas can visit the country as a tourist, for businessor family visit.It is also issued to persons entering to France to take part in short training programmes, internships, conferences and corporate meetings, or to engage in remunerated activities.

Non EU citizen or persons from the nations of the OECD United States, Australia, Canada, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand; and European countries, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey) are exempted from the visa.

Long-stay visas

Long-stay visasalso known as visa de long séjour are issued for a period from90 days to 1 year. It is issued to the people so that they can stay in France and to obtain a stay card.In order to extend your stay beyond the period of validity of your visa, you must apply for a residence permit at a prefecture.

During its period of validity, the long-stay visa is considered equivalent to a Schengen visa. It enables you to move around and stay in the Schengen Area outside France for periods not exceeding 90 days over any period of 180 consecutive days, under the same conditions in a Schengen visa.

 

Student VISA

You want to study in France as part of your university studies or as part of an exchange scheme or cooperation programme. If so, you:

  • First, enroll as a student in the higher education establishment of your choice;
  • Make sure aboutentrance examinations or pre-enrolment interview;
  • Check the conditions for following a course as a student.

For that purpose, you should fulfill the following conditions:

  • You must be a minimum of 18 years
  • You must have already chosen your training course or studies. For more comprehensive information, you may visit visit: Campus France.
  • You must be accepted by a higher education institution .Enrolmemt is based on your nationality therefore you are required to check Etudes en Franceand make sure whether your country is included in the online enrolment scheme or not.

Training Visa:

Sometimes you, as an international person need to participate in the training course in France. For this purpose, the following training visas will enable you to attend the program for the duration between less than 3 months and more than 6 months.

  • Short-stay visa for a training course not exceeding three months.
  • Temporary long-stay visa for a training course exceeding three months or six months
  • Long-stay visa for training or a course exceeding six months, equivalent to a residence permit

Student Examination:

Entrance exam: You want to enroll in higher education institution in France in which, you need to take an entrance exam in that country (European and Non-European countries).

The term “entrance examination” includes all examinations, practical tests, oral tests and any interviews required prior to enrolling in a higher education or vocational training You know that these activities will be conducted for a period less than 3 months.

Your Visa: Therefore you will be issued a short-stay visa, i.e., “étudiant/étudiant-concours” (Student examination) visa authorizing you to stay for a period of 90 days per 6 months. Once you qualify the entrance exam, this visa will enable to get it converted for a long stay visa to study at Prefecture also known as police station in the place of your residence in France.

You are eligible for short- stay “étudiant-concours” (student examination) visa provided, the results of such examinations are declared within 90 days.Algerian nationals are not eligible to apply for the visa for the apparent reason.In case you fail the entrance examination, you will not get residence permit, as a result you need to leave the Schengen area once the short-stay visa has expired.

Supporting Documentation:

To get a short-stay visa, you need to keep the supporting documents to be submitted along with your application. You can visit visa wizard, which will help you to fill the requirements and thereby inform you the documents to be submitted.

Student Stay in France:

Cost of Education: All higher education institutions in France charge enrolment fees. These fees vary from one institution to another and the cost of education is ranging from a few hundred Euros to over 10,000 Euros per annum.You are required to pay additional fees for certain services.

Accommodation: You need to contact the office of the international relations service in your host institution. They guide properly about your accommodation. You need to provide either temporary address for the first three months of stay or permanent address in your visa application.

Working in France during studies: The law in France allows overseas students to work for 964 hours which corresponds to 60% of the normal working hours in France. Algerian nationals have a separate provision of working time.Part-time work will not be sufficient to cover all your expenses and therefore you must treat this as a secondary source of income.

Medical care during studies:You can be part of the student social security system in the educational establishment at the time of enrolment.Medical care is compulsory for all non-European students below the age of 28 years. The annual premium varies from year to year.

Students from the European Economic Area are exempt if they hold a European health insurance card valid for the entire academic year or have a private insurance policy covering all medical risks without limit.

Social Security reimburses 60% of your medical costs and the rest will be covered by student health insurance scheme.

Students travelling between at least 2 higher educational institutions in member states of the Europe Union under European Union programme are issued “Student-Mobility” visa.

Student visa mobility is:

  • a long-stay visa serving as a residence permit (VLS-TS) to be validated within three months of arriving in France, if your mobility is equal to or less than 12 months;
  • a long-stay visa with a residence permit which must be requested within two months of arriving in France if your mobility period will exceed 12 months.

 

Visa Process:

All international students willing to enter France must be able to submit statutory documents at the border concerning the reasons for their stay, their means of support and accommodation arrangements.A visa is generally required, in the absence of a waiver. Such students are required to follow the listed steps:

Step1: Gather information on your situation

  • Seek information and check whether you require a visa or not:
    • The official portal helps you assemble the information you will need before submitting your visa application online.
    • The visa wizard will help you determine the visa requirements to which you are subject, the paymentof fee and required supporting documents.
    • If you have lived in the Schengen Area within the past 6 months, you use theVisa Calculator tool to find out the remaining days.
  • Determine which authority is approved to receive your application
    • The link offers pages specific to your local so that you can access the most accurate information for your visa application.

Step 2: Set up my online application

To submit a visa application, you must provide at least the following the documents either in English or French, if not it needs to be translated in French

  • A travel document in good condition, issued less than 10 years ago, with at least two blank pages, which is valid for at least three months after the date on which you have planned to leave the Schengen Area, or in the event of a long stay, which is valid for at least three months on the date on which the requested visa expires. In the event of a duly proven emergency, this final requirement may be waived.
  • 2 recent ID pictures in ISO/IECI format (pdf)
  • The supporting documents (originals and copy) depending on your situation
  • Your application fees are due upon filing.
  • If your home country is eligible, you must fill out the online application form. You will be guided through the whole process by on-screen explanations.
    • Before validating and printing out your application, you will be asked to create a personal account that includes your email address in order to save your partially- or fully-completed form. After this step, you will receive the list of required supporting documents and have the opportunity to book your appointment.
  • If your country is not eligible you check the appropriate procedure on yourcountry of application page

Step3: Book your appointment

You arrange an appointment with the visa application centre for the review of application. Give them enough time before your departure date to schedule Submit your application three months to two weeks prior to your departure date.In most cases, the consular services use external service providers to receive visa applicants and their documents. The consular services   are fully responsible for reviewing applications and making visa issuance decisions.

You will find all the necessary details to make an appointment on the country of application page.

Step 4: Submit your file

Application in person

You must meet the service provider i.e consulate in person with all the required documents and a copy of each document, including the passport and its ID pages.

 Service provider review your application, receive the visa fee, capture your biometric data,  both photo and fingerprints and retain your passport and the copies of all your supporting documents  and forward them to the consulate.The visa application submission will take approximately 20 minutes at the visa centre.

Biometrics

All visas issued by France are biometric visas.

Any visa applicant aged 12 or more must submit his or her visa application in person. The following biometric data will be required: a photo scanned or taken during your appointment, and ten individually-taken fingerprints.

If you hold a biometric Schengen visa issued within 59 months, either bearing the mention ‘VIS’ or issued after March 2016, your previous biometric data can be re-used.

Fees

Visa application fees are  :

  • The administrative costs is incurred for the processing of your application. The amount paid is non refundable in case visas are denied
  • If application fees are received by an external service provider, they are responsible for collecting the appropriate fees. The service charge may not exceed € 30 per visa application. External service providers are also authorized by the administration to offer additional services at cost.

You may be exempt from attending your visa appointment in person if:

  • You have held previous Schengen visas and have used them in accordance with the law.
  • You travel regularly or frequently for the same purpose.

NOTE: To confirm whether  someone else can apply for a visa on your behalf, please contact your visa centre

Step 5: Track your application:

It is you to tracking your application and collecting your passport. In most cases, you can track the progress of your application. For details,  you go to track the progress of your application page.You will be notified when your passport is ready for collection from the visa centre where you applied.In some cases, the passport can be sent by postal services.

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