After winning

France Student Visa: VLS-TS & OFII Guide

The Campus France procedure, visa processing, and what happens after you land — including the OFII validation that catches every new arrival off guard.

ScholarshipUnion Editorial 1 min read Updated Oct 5, 2026

2–4 weeks

Standard processing

Jun–Aug

Peak season (book early)

3 months

OFII validation window

Visa application flow

1
Get your admission + scholarship letter
University acceptance and/or the scholarship award letter.
2
Complete the Études en France procedure
Students living in one of 75 countries and territories must go through the Études en France platform, so validate your file there first. Everyone else applies through France-Visas.
3
Book a TLS Contact / VFS appointment
Biometrics and document submission. Book 4–6 weeks before travel; slots fill fast in summer.
4
Submit your visa application
The VLS-TS is a long-stay student visa that doubles as a residence permit. Processing takes 2–4 weeks.
5
Arrive in France
You have 3 months to validate your VLS-TS online.
OFII validation
An online process plus a €100 tax for a student VLS-TS. Your VLS-TS then becomes your residence permit for year 1.

Visa document checklist

Visa readiness0/9

Valid passport (expires 15+ months from now)
Long-stay visa application form (Cerfa)
3 passport photos (French format: 35×45 mm)
Admission letter from your French institution
Scholarship award letter (if applicable)
Proof of financial resources (at least €877.50 a month)
Proof of accommodation (first 3 months)
Travel insurance for the first 3 months
Campus France interview receipt

The visa fee itself is €50 if you apply through Études en France and €99 in other countries (France-Visas, indicative rates checked October 2026), plus the TLS Contact or VFS service charge. The €877.50 monthly resources threshold and the €100 validation tax are the amounts listed by Service-Public.fr (checked August 2026). French government scholarship holders prove resources with their award letter.

Visa approved?

Next, find housing.