France's main student visa for non-EU students pursuing programs lasting 4 months to 1 year. Functions as both visa and residence permit after online validation within 3 months of arrival. Requires Campus France registration in many countries. Public university tuition remains highly subsidized compared to Anglophone countries.
Public universities: EU/EEA students pay EUR 178/yr (licence) or EUR 254/yr (master). Non-EU students pay differentiated fees of EUR 2,895/yr (licence) or EUR 3,941/yr (master) since 2019. Many universities grant partial exemptions to non-EU students. Grandes ecoles and private institutions charge EUR 5,000-20,000+/yr.
964 hours per year maximum (approximately 20 hours per week). This represents 60% of the legal annual working time in France (1,607 hours). No separate work permit needed. Applies year-round with no distinction between term time and holidays.
| Program | Type | Duration | Min Degree | Work | PR Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APS / RECE (Recherche d'Emploi ou Creation d'Entreprise) | Job seeker | 12mo | Masters | 20hrs | No |
| Test | Purpose | Language | Min Score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DELF/DALF | Admission | French | B2 | DELF B2 or DALF C1/C2 required for French-taught programs at public universities. TCF-DAP also accepted for undergraduate admission (minimum B2). Some universities accept TCF or TEF. |
| IELTS Academic | Admission | English | 6.0 | Required for English-taught programs. Score varies by institution: 6.0-7.0 typical range. TOEFL iBT 80-100 also accepted. |
| Fee | Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Application Fee | Application | $58 | One time |
| CVEC (Student Life Contribution) | Registration | $121 | Per year |
| VLS-TS Online Validation Tax | Registration | $69 | One time |
Campus France registration (Etudes en France / EEF procedure) is mandatory for applicants from 40+ countries. VLS-TS must be validated online via ANEF within 3 months of arrival. OFII medical examination may be required. Since 2019, non-EU students pay differentiated tuition, but many universities grant exemptions.
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Last verified: May 3, 2026. Source