France-Visas student application: the step-by-step walkthrough

The French student visa application runs through the official France-Visas portal, but the full journey involves up to three actors: Campus France, France-Visas, then an outsourced visa centre. Many files lose weeks simply because these steps are taken out of order. Here is the sequence, in order.

Step 0: Campus France first (for concerned countries)

In around sixty countries, the "Études en France" procedure run by Campus France is a mandatory prerequisite: academic file creation, document validation, an interview, then an attestation. Without that attestation, the visa application cannot succeed. It takes weeks: start it first, as soon as you are admitted.

Step 1: your account and the visa wizard

On France-Visas, start with the visa wizard: it confirms the visa type (long-stay student visa, VLS-TS, for stays over 3 months) and generates the official document list for your country. Then create your account to access the form.

Step 2: fill in the online form

The form covers your identity, study project and stay conditions. Where applicants stumble:

• Identity: copy your names exactly as printed in your passport, including order and hyphens.
• Accommodation: enter the exact address from your housing proof. If you use a Studhome certificate, the precise instructions for this section are in our Q&A on filling France-Visas with the certificate.
• Stay dates: align them with your academic year.

On validation, the portal generates the CERFA form and a receipt with your file number: print both.

Step 3: prepare the documents

The exact list varies by country, but the core is stable: passport, photos, admission letter (plus the Études en France attestation where applicable), financial proof, health insurance, and proof of accommodation. For the document-by-document view, use our full checklist.

If housing proof is your missing piece, Studhome's housing certificate is issued online in minutes, with a real address in a Colonies residence and a QR code the consulate can verify.

Step 4: the visa centre appointment

In most countries, physical submission goes through an outsourced provider (TLS Contact, VFS Global or Capago depending on the region):

1. Book the appointment online as soon as your form is validated; summer slots vanish fast.
2. On the day, bring the complete file in originals plus copies, the France-Visas receipt and the CERFA.
3. The centre collects your biometrics (fingerprints, photo) and charges the visa and service fees.

Step 5: tracking and the decision

Your passport goes to the consulate for processing. Delays range from days to several weeks depending on the season; the provider notifies each status change. Three outcomes: visa issued, request for additional documents, or a motivated refusal (if a refusal cites the housing ground alone after using a Studhome certificate, the refund applies).

Once the visa is in your passport

The VLS-TS is only half the journey: it must be validated online within 3 months of arriving in France, and the address you declare must match where you actually live. Then come the arrival formalities: social security and insurance, a bank account, and CAF housing aid.