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Studying in France: Campus France, visa funds and work rights explained
A plain-English guide to the official steps for Indian students planning a degree in France.
The short version
You apply for admission and the visa through the Campus France (Études en France) procedure, hold a long-stay student visa, show enough funds for your stay, validate the visa online after you arrive, and can work part-time within a yearly limit. Graduates with a Master’s-level degree may be able to stay for a year to look for work. Rules and amounts change, so always check the official pages below before you plan.
Key points at a glance
| Topic | What to know | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Admission and visa route | Indian students usually apply through the Études en France procedure run by Campus France, for both admission and the visa. | Campus France India |
| Visa type | A long-stay student visa that works as a residence permit (VLS-TS) is needed for studies longer than 90 days. | France-Visas |
| Proof of funds | Campus France guidance is to show resources of at least €615 per month for the length of your stay. The consulate decides which documents it accepts. | France-Visas |
| After you arrive | Validate your long-stay visa online within three months of arrival so that it counts as your residence permit. | ANEF (Ministry of the Interior) |
| Working while studying | Up to 964 hours per year with a valid student visa or residence permit, without a separate work authorisation in the general case. | Service-Public |
| After your degree | Eligible graduates with a Master’s-level (or equivalent) French degree can apply for a 12-month “job search or business creation” residence permit. | Service-Public |
This is a summary, not legal advice. Fees, deadlines and document lists are set by the French authorities and can change, so confirm them on the official sites before you apply.
What this means for students
- Start the Campus France procedure early, because it comes before the visa stage.
- Plan your funds: the visa check looks at monthly resources for your whole stay, on top of tuition.
- If you hope to use the job-search permit, ask your institution whether your programme leads to a Master’s-level degree recognised by the French state.
- Speak to our team about pairing your degree with a realistic work plan after graduation.
Plan a study path that leads to a French career
Our counsellors map course to job to visa.
