If you want to study in France, being considered a minor under French laws (i.e. under the age of 18 years old the day of your entry in France), you have to provide all the following documents.
NOTE : Students who will be 18 years old or more at the day of their first entry in France must apply for a Long Stay Student visa except if they intend to study in a "lycée".
This visa, as all long stay visas, can take a minimum 2 to 3 weeks to be processed, starting the day your application has been received complete.
Make sure you will NOT apply for this visa after mid or late August if you intend to go in France and begin studies in the early days of September. There is no liability of the visa office to issue a visa on time for late appointments or applicants.
| You have to apply with all the required documents in original and four copies. The visa section does not make any copies.
PERSONNAL APPEARANCE IS MANDATORY : you cannot apply by mail. |
Passport valid for at least three months beyond the applicant’s last day of stay in the Schengen states. Please make sure that :
The immigration officer of the visa section has full authority to decline a passport that wouldn’t meet the requirements and request a renewed one before you can apply for a visa at the french consulate.
Copy of 5 first pages of the passport
2 long stay application forms, signed and legibly filled out. Please print in black. Indicate your phone numbers, e-mail address and the exact dates of entry and exit.
Translation in English of the long stay visa application form.
2 photographs (more information about the photograph). All photos must be recent, identical, passport size - 1,4" x 1,7" (3,5cm x 4,5cm) and showing face front the forehead hairline and ears on a white background, the face must take up 70-80% of the photograph.
Processing fees : credit cards (Visa, Mastercard only) ONLY (authorization form is available on the website if needed).
ORIGINAL AND 1 COPY OF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:
Birth certificate with parenthood mentioned (both parents mentioned)
Both parents ID’s copy (driver’s licence or state ID or passports)
A letter of admission ( pre-enrollment ) from the school where the applicant plans to study in France + copy of the ID of the signer of this letter of admission (french ID card both sides or signed passport ID pages).
If boarding school applicable : copy of the ID of the signer of this letter of admission (French ID card both sides or signed passport ID pages)
A Financial guarantee such as a notarized statement certifying that the applicant will be provided with a monthly allowance of $ 600 for the duration of his/her stay in France, or proof of personal income along with a letter from school stating that room, board, and tuition are fully prepaid . If the host provides the student with a letter certifying that lodging will be free of charge, and provides a copy of his/her pictured I.D., an allowance of $ 450 will be accepted.
A notarized parental authorization, signed by both parents indicating the name and occupation of the person appointed as guardian of the minor for the duration of the stay.
A letter of «Engagement de prise en charge» filled out by an educational organization in France, or the host family in France along with a copy of his/her residency card if the host is an alien or french ID card both sides if the host is french.
The most recent school report or equivalent diploma of the baccalaureat.
An immunization certificate (diphteria, tetanus- lockjaw, poliomyelitis) + letter from the General Practician stating that the immunization/vaccines are up to date.
A medical insurance valid in France (letter from the insurance company).
A "civil insurance" (personal liability insurance) valid in France (letter from the insurance company).
The personal appearance is required.
If you are holder of a passport of the following countries, the processing time may be of two months.
| Afghanistan | Algeria | Bangladesh |
| Congo DRC | Egypt | Iran |
| Irak | Jordan | Lebanon |
| Libya | Mauritania | Nigeria |
| North Korea | Pakistan | Palestinian Authority |
| Rwanda | Saoudi Arabia | Somalia |
| South Sudan | Sudan | Syria |
| Uzbekistan | Vietnam | Yemen |
| Zimbabwe | US Refugee Travel Document | US Re-entry Permit |
For the others nationalities, you must first check your situation by sending an e-mail to : visas@consulfrance-washington.org
| You have to apply with all the required documents in original and four copies. The visa section does not make any copies.
PERSONNAL APPEARANCE IS MANDATORY : you cannot apply by mail. |
Passport signed and valid at least 3 months beyond the applicant’s last day of stay in France (+ 3 copies of the 5 first pages) ;
The proof of the status in the USA (alien residency card, valid US visa and valid I-20) + 3 copies;
3 long stay application forms, signed and legibly filled out. Please print in black. Indicate your phone numbers, e-mail address and the exact dates of entry and exit.
Translation in English of the long stay visa application form.
3 photographs (more information about the photograph). All photos must be recent, identical, passport size - 1,4" x 1,7" (3,5cm x 4,5cm) and showing face front the forehead hairline and ears on a white background, the face must take up 70-80% of the photograph.
Processing fees : credit cards (Visa, Mastercard only) ONLY are accepted (authorization form is available in the website if needed).
ORIGINAL AND 3 COPIES OF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:
Birth certificate with parenthood mentioned (both parents mentioned)
Both parents ID’s copy (driver’s license or state ID or passports)
A letter of admission ( pre-enrollment ) from the school where the applicant plans to study in France.
If boarding school applicable : copy of the ID of the signer of this letter of admission (French ID card both sides or signed passport ID pages)
A financial guarantee such as a notarized statement certifying that the applicant will be provided with a monthly allowance of $ 600 for the duration of his/her stay in France, or a proof of personal income along with a letter from school stating that room, board, and tuition are fully prepaid . If the host provides the student with both a letter certifying that lodging will be free of charge, and provides a copy of his/her pictured I.D., an allowance of $ 450 will be accepted.
A notarized parental authorization), signed by both parents indicating the name and occupation of the person appointed as guardian of the minor for the duration of the stay.
A letter of «Engagement de prise en charge»filled out by an educational organization in France, or the host family in France along with a copy of his/her residency card if the host is an alien or french ID card both sides if the host is French.
The most recent school report or equivalent diploma of the baccalaureat.
An immunization certificate (diphteria, tetanus- lockjaw, poliomyelitis) + letter from the General Practician stating that the immunization/vaccines are up to date.
A medical insurance valid in France (letter from the insurance company).
A "civil insurance" (personal liability insurance) valid in France (letter from the insurance company).
