Studying in France requires careful financial planning and an understanding of various costs associated with living and studying in the country.
Whether you plan to stay for a short-term or long-term period, this article will explain the financial requirements you need to meet.
Do you need a visa to study in France
It depends on your country of residence and study plans.
- For a course not exceeding 3 months: You need a short-stay visa, or if you’re lucky you may be exempt from the visa requirement and can stay in France for up to 90 days without needing to apply for one.
- For a course exceeding 3 months: You need a long-stay visa.
To find out, just use the visa assistant tool on our website: https://gogofrance.com/en/visa-wizard/
Financial requirements
Whether you’re studying for a few months or a full year, the financial requirements for a visa differ based on the length of your stay.
Short-stays
For short stays, you must provide evidence of sufficient financial means:
- €32.50 a day for foreigners with an accommodation certificate
- €65 a day for foreigners with proof of a hotel room booking
- €120 a day for foreigners without proof of a hotel room booking
Additionally, you will need proof of insurance that covers medical and hospital expenses up to at least €30,000.
If you are looking for a travel and health insurance, we recommend WorldTrips (part of the Envisage Global Insurance Group), as a reliable insurance broker. Their insurance package covers both medical and travel expenses (therefore, you are also covered in the event of loss or theft of luggage).
For more information and to sign up for their insurance, visit the following online page: https://gogofrance.com/en/health-insurance-for-students-in-france/
Long-stays
For long-term studies, the financial requirements are higher. France requires international students to demonstrate their financial capability to cover both their studies and living expenses in advance.
When applying for a student visa, you must provide proof of a minimum monthly income of €615. For a 6-month study program, this means you will need to show a bank statement with a minimum balance of €3,690.
How to demonstrate your financial resources
There are several ways to demonstrate that you have the financial resources required to study in France, depending on your situation.
- The most commonly accepted document is a bank statement, which should reflect the required amount for the duration of your stay.
- If you are awarded a scholarship, you may submit a certificate of scholarship.
- If you are financially supported by a guarantor, such as one of your parents, you may provide a financial liability undertaking from your guarantor along with a copy of their bank statement and ID.
One of the main reasons visa applications are denied is due to insufficient financial resources or issues with the documents provided. To help you avoid mistakes, here are some tips for ensuring your documents are valid:
Bank statement
| What should be included: – Account holder name and address – Account number – The date of the statement (it should be recent, usually within the last 3 months) – The available balance | What to avoid: – Outdated statements – Statements showing insufficient funds or frequent overdrafts, as these raise concerns about financial stability – Statements with unclear or inconsistent information |
Guarantor’s letter
| What should be included: – The guarantor’s full name, address, and contact information – Guarantor’s relationship to the applicant – Clear commitment to financially support the applicant for the duration of their stay in France (best to include details on the amounts that’ll be given to the student to cover the expenses) – Recent bank statement(s) of the guarantor as evidence of their financial capability | What to avoid: – Vague or non-specific commitments – Letters without accompanying proof of the guarantor’s financial stability |
Certificate of scholarship
| What should be included: – The name of the awarding body and the scholarship or grant program – The recipient’s name (the student’s name) – The total amount awarded and the duration of the scholarship or grant – Any specific conditions tied to the funding (e.g., academic performance requirements) | What to avoid: – Letters without official letterhead or signature from the awarding institution – Ambiguity regarding the amount or duration of the scholarship/grant |
Common reasons for document rejection
- Insufficient funds: The most common reason for rejection is showing that you do not have enough funds to cover your stay in France.
- Inaccessible funds: Showing assets that cannot be easily accessed or converted into cash during your stay in France.
- Lack of authenticity: Documents that appear fraudulent, altered, or contain inconsistencies.
- Incomplete information: Missing crucial details such as the applicant’s name, date, or financial figures can lead to rejection.
- Poor quality: Documents of poor quality—whether poorly scanned, printed, or unclear—can also result in rejection.
- Outdated information: Financial documents must be recent, usually not older than 3 months, to be considered valid.
Apply with Go! Go! France
Our mission is to simplify the visa application process and help as many students as possible live and study in France. We are here to support you at every step of the process, including ensuring that you have the necessary financial resources to study in France and cover all your expenses while you’re there.
For more information, feel free to contact us!
