Etudes en France is the official online platform managed by Campus France, the French government agency in charge of international student admissions. It allows French consulates to review your academic profile before granting you a student visa.
If you’re from a country where the procedure is required, you can’t apply for a French student visa without completing it first. This guide will walk you through every step.
This guide is for you if:
- You’ve already been accepted by a French institution
- You hold an acceptance letter or enrollment certificate
- Your country requires you to go through Études en France
Who is affected by this procedure?
Not every international student needs to complete the Études en France procedure. The full list is updated regularly, so always check the Campus France website or your local French consulate to confirm your country’s status.
Affected countries (as of 2026):
Angola, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Honk Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Peru, Qatar, Republic of Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam.
Who is exempt?
You do not need to complete Études en France procedure if you are:
- A citizen of an EU or EEA country
- Applying for a non-student visa category (e.g., working holiday visa)
- From a country not covered by this procedure
Documents to prepare in advance
Getting your documents ready before creating your Campus France account will save you a lot of time.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Acceptance letter or enrollment certificate from your French institution
- Academic transcripts from all institutions you have attended
- Diplomas or degrees
- Passport
- Passport-sized photos
- Resume
Scan all your documents in advance and save them as clear, high-quality PDFs or JPEGs. The platform has file size limits, so make sure your files are legible but not too large.
| Watch out: Your acceptance letter is the most important document in this process. Make sure it clearly shows your full name, the institution’s name, the program name, and the start date of your studies. |
Step-by-step procedure
Step 1: Creating your Campus France account
Here’s how to get your Campus France account up and running:
- Go to the Études en France portal
- Click on “Create an account” and fill in your basic personal details
- Choose a strong password and save it somewhere safe
- You’ll receive a confirmation email — click the link to activate your account
Step 2: Fill in your application
Once logged in, complete your application carefully. This includes:
- Personal information (name, date of birth, nationality, etc.)
- Educational background (institutions attended, degrees earned, grades)
- Language skills
- Professional experience, if relevant
| Watch out: The information in your profile must match your documents exactly. Any discrepancies can delay or block your application. |
Step 3: Upload your documents
Upload each required document in the appropriate section of your profile. The exact list of required documents will vary according to your answers in the online application.
All your documents must be written in French or English, or be accompanied by a certified French translation.
Step 4: Select your program on the platform
Use the search function to find your institution by name. Then select the specific program you’ve been accepted into.
If you can’t find your institution or program in the search results, contact your Campus France office or contact your Student Advisor at Go! Go! France. They can help you locate the correct listing.
Once you’ve selected your program, you’ll be prompted to upload your acceptance letter or enrollment certificate. This document confirms that a French institution has already chosen you. Make sure the name on your acceptance letter matches the name on your Campus France account and passport exactly.
Step 5: Submit your application
Once everything looks good, submit your application through the platform. You’ll receive a confirmation that your file has been received.
Step 6: Interview with Campus France agent
The Campus France interview is a key part of the procedure. It’s your chance to speak with an advisor, confirm your academic project, and show that you’re ready for your studies in France.
What is the interview for?
The interview isn’t an exam, it’s a conversation. A Campus France advisor will review your file and ask you about:
- Your academic background
- Why you choose your school and your program
- Your motivations for studying in France
- Your career goals and how your program fits into them
- Your French language level for French-taught programs or your English level for English-taught programs
The goal is to verify that your academic project makes sense and that you’re a serious, prepared candidate.
How to prepare for the interview?
Before your interview:
- Be ready to explain why you chose this specific institution and program
- Prepare a clear and honest answer about your career goals
- Review your academic background — advisors may ask about your past studies
Step 7: After the interview
Once the interview is complete, the Campus France advisor will validate your file. You’ll receive a validation confirmation and your EEF number, required for your visa application.
Congratulations! At this point, the Études en France procedure is complete! You are now ready to prepare your visa application. You can learn more about the student visa application here.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What if my program isn’t listed on the Campus France platform?
You can manually enter you program information. If you can’t find your institution or program, we recommend contacting your Campus France office or contacting your Student Advisor at Go! Go! France.
2. Is the interview conducted in French?
It depends on your country and your program. In many cases, the interview is conducted in French, English or your local language.
3. How long does the whole procedure take?
Plan for 4–8 weeks from account creation to final validation. This does not include visa processing time.
4. What happens after the Campus France validation?
You’ll have to submit your visa application on France-Visas and book a visa appointment with your local French embassy, consulate or visa center. Refer to our Student Visa Guide for the next steps.
Apply with Go! Go! France
At Go! Go! France, we help international students move to France by assisting with schools, housing, and visas.
Contact us and we’ll guide you through the entire application process. We’ll help you choose a school, submit your application, and help you complete all the required paperwork.
