Long stay visa for studies
Table des matières
1. Long stay visa and residence permit in France 
- From the 1st of June 2009, long stay visa holders will be allowed to reside in France for up to 12 months according to the validity of their visa and purpose of stay. They will no longer be required to obtain a residence permit ("carte de séjour") from the French local authorities ("Préfecture") as long as their visa is valid.
- However, long stay visa holders will have to register to the French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) during the first three months of their stay in France. For further information please check the residence permit page.
| Please note that the new regulations applicable from the 1st of June 2009 will require a longer processing time to issue long stay visas that will serve as first residence permits. |
- You must obtain your Student Visa while in the USA. The visa cannot be issued once the applicant is in France.
2. Do I need a visa ?
Yes except if you are a citizen of Switzerland, Andorra, Vatican, San Marino, Monaco or of the European Economic Area :
| Austria | Belgium | Bulgaria | Cyprus |
| Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland |
| Germany | Great-Britain | Greece | Hungary |
| Iceland | Ireland | Italy | Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malta |
| The Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal |
| Romania | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain |
| Sweden |
Also special rules apply for family members of an European Union citizen.
3. How to apply for a long stay student visa?
All students and those who wish to follow studies in France must first enroll themselves within "CampusFrance" in order to obtain a student visa for France. Please visit www.usa.campusfrance.org (e-mail: campusfrance@ambafrance-us.org) for more information.
- STEP 1 : register and obtain an "attestation" from "CAMPUSFRANCE", www.usa.campusfrance.org, prior to applying for a visa at the Consulate General of France in Chicago.
- STEP 2 - Once you complied with CAMPUSFRANCE requirements, please make an appointment.
4. How to make an appointment ?
For security reasons, all applicants, except children under the age of 6, have to appear personally at the Consulate General of France in Chicago.
The visa section is open to the public on an appointment basis, with no walk-ins allowed.
Make an appointment by clicking here
To use the system, the following configuration is required :
Firefox 1.0 and higher
Mozilla 1.7.8 and higher
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 and higher
Adobe Acrobat reader and higher
allow pop-ups
IF YOU CANNOT PRINT YOUR CONFIRMATION RECEIPT IT IS NOT A PROBLEM. Simply show up on the date and time of your appointment .
No appointment can be made by phone or by e-mailing us. If you are not able to attend, please free a slot by canceling your appointment.
Make sure you bring all the required documents when coming to the Consulate General.
5. Processing time
2 months for citizens from :
| Afghanistan | Algeria | Bahrain |
| Burma | Burundi | Colombia |
| Congo DRC | Egypt | Indonesia |
| Iraq | Iran | Jordan |
| North Korea | Kuwait | Lebanon |
| Libya | Oman | Pakistan |
| Palestinians | Philippines | Qatar |
| US Re-entry permit | US Refugee travel document | Rwanda |
| Saudi Arabia | Sudan | Suriname |
| Syria | Yemen | United Arab Emirates |
| Zimbabwe |
It may take about 21 days for all other nationalities.
Applications cannot be processed more than 3 months ahead of time.
6. Requirements
| Please provide us with the original + copies of each document. The visa section does not make any copies, you must bring your documents and the required number of copies. |
- Passport valid for at least three months after your return to the US + 1 photocopy of the identity pages. Make sure your passport has blank pages left to affix the visa.
- Processing fee
- One application form filled out completely and signed by the applicant (please read carefully the explanation). Note that this form is only available in French and must be filled out in French.
- One ID picture glued/stapled onto the application form.
- "Attestation" from CAMPUSFRANCE
WARNING: Be aware that after you have opened an account, filled out the form online, sent by mail a copy of your proof of study and the processing fee (by money order only) to CampusFrance in Washington DC , it takes at least 2 weeks to receive the attestation. Please note that the attestation usually comes in the form of an email send to your CampusFrance account mailbox and starts with "your enrollment is now complete". DO NOT come to the Consulate to apply for your student visa if you do not have the attestation.
The CampusFrance attestation is not needed for studies in French Overseas Territories such as French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis, Futuna, Mayotte, St Pierre and Miquelon, French austral territories, Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Reunion. - Proof of registration or letter of enrollment in a School / University (original + 2 photocopies).
- Financial guarantee such as a notarized statement certifying that the applicant will be provided with a monthly allowance of $800.00 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 (original + 1 photocopy).
- If you are not a U.S. citizen: A valid U.S. permanent residence card ("green card") or a valid U.S. visa with valid I-94 or valid I-20 (original + 1 photocopy).
- One residence form duly filled out (upper part only)
- A self-addressed prepaid EXPRESS MAIL envelope from the US POST OFFICE ONLY - NO FEDEX / UPS / AIRBORNE EXPRESS accepted.
Please do NOT stick the mailing label on the envelope and fill out as follows :
| FROM: |
|---|
| CONSULATE GENERAL OF FRANCE 205N. Michigan Ave, Suite 3700 CHICAGO, IL 60601 |
| TO: |
|---|
| Your full name Your address |
7. Important information
- The consular administration has full authority to evaluate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant.
- Please be aware that submitting the aforementioned documents does not guarantee the approval of the visa.
- Please note that holders of visas are still subject to immigration control upon first entry into France. The visa itself does not grant the right to enter France.
- Please be aware that the visa application process (between CampusFrance and the Consulate) can take up to 4 weeks.
Last update: 01/22/2010