The first step towards the visa application process is to choose the right type of visa for your trip.
This page provides details regarding the following topics
- Application process for student Schengen visa: Applicable to academic programs of 3 months or shorter duration.
- Application process for long-stay student visa (VLS-TS): Applicable to academic programs exceeding 3 months in length.
- Pre-consular and visa application fees.
1- Student Schengen Visa
1- Student Schengen Visa
A student Schengen visa is an entry permit to study in France granted to international students wishing to study for a maximum of 3 months. This type of visa applies to certain nationalities. For instance, UAE nationals are allowed to enter France without applying for a Scehngen visa. You may visit France-Visas website under the section "Do you need a visa?" to verify if you need this type of visa.
How to apply for student Schengen visa?
First, you must register on France-Visas website and fill in your Shengen visa application form. Then you must make an appointment with the visa center VFS Global Abu Dhabi branch in order to submit your application.
Please note that Campus France procedure is not required for this type of visa.
2- Long-stay visa : VLS-TS
2- Long-stay visa : VLS-TS
The long-stay visa is intended for students who are going to study in France for more than 3 months. The validity of the visa varies between 4 months to one year, depending on the educational program you are enrolled in.
How to apply for a long-stay visa VLS-TS?
After you receive the acceptance letter from a French university or a language center, you must start the pre-consular procedure on "Etudes En France - EeF" portal and follow the steps below :
- Register on "Etudes En France - EEF" website and submit your application following the Etudes en France user guide (check the document below).
- Once your file is submitted, Campus France UAE team will examine your application. If your file is incomplete, you will receive an email in order to make the necessary changes. If your file is complete, Campus France UAE team will validate it.
- Then, payment of 340 AED will be requested. An email with the payment details will be sent to you.
- Once the payment is done and is validated by our financial department, Campus France representative will get in touch with you to schedule a Zoom call.
- Once you're done with the interview, you must register on France-visas website and complete the long-stay visa application form.
- Finally, make sure to submit your visa application at the VFS Global Abu Dhabi branch along with your passport. Refer to the checklist provided below. All documents outlined in the checklist should be provided in two copies to VFS Global. Additionally, please be informed that appointments are unnecessary, as walk-ins are allowed for long-stay student visa applicants.
Please note the following :
- All students must first complete the procedure with Campus France UAE (mentioned above) before submitting the visa application at the visa center VFS Global.
- The pre-consular procedure cannot be done within 48 hours or less. Please allow 8 working days to process your EEF application (during low season) and 14 working days (during high season). You may initiate the process upon receiving the acceptance letter from a French university.
- It is not possible to accelerate the pre-consular application processing on EEF platform. Therefore, it is highly recommended to start your application at least 2 months before your departure to France.
- Visa application processing time by the visa section : student visa applications are processed within 3 to 4 weeks starting from the date of submission of the visa application at the visa center VFS Global Abu Dhabi branch.
3- Pre-consular & visa application fees
3- Pre-consular & visa application fees
The student visa application procedure involves 3 different fees:
- Campus France's pre-consular application involves a fee of 340 AED. After submitting the pre-consular application on the Etudes en France/EeF portal, students will receive an email guiding them on how to make the payment via bank transfer. Keep in mind that students must await an email from the EeF portal containing payment instructions before initiating the payment process. Please be aware that we do not accept payments via cash or card.
- Visa center (VFS Global) service charges: 99.08 AED.
- Visa application processing: 201 AED/50 euros.
Service charges and visa fees can be paid directly at the visa center VFS Global in Abu Dhabi.
Who is exempt from pre-consular fees (340 AED)?
The following categories are exempt from pre-consular fees:
- Students holding a French Baccalauréat (including recent graduates or those who graduated within the past 4 years).
- Students holding a scholarship from the French Government (Eiffel Excellence and Excellence Major).
- Students holding a scholarship from the European Union, such as Erasmus+.
Who is exempt from both pre-consular fees (340 AED) and visa application processing fees (50 EUR / 200 AED)?
Students holding a scholarship from the French Government (Eiffel Excellence and Excellence Major) are exempt from both the pre-consular fees and the visa application processing fees, excluding the VFS Global service charges (99.08 aed), which must be paid by the students at the time of visa application submission.