Preparing your student visa application for France? One of the key steps is gathering all the required documents.
Before diving in, we recommend reviewing our guide on documents required for your French student visa: https://gogofrance.com/en/blog/student-visa-supporting-documents/
In this article, we focus specifically on proof of accommodation: What is it? What documents are accepted? What information is mandatory? How can you obtain it?
Why is proof of accommodation required?
Proof of accommodation is a compulsory document for any student applying for a visa to study in France. It demonstrates to the French authorities that you have arranged a place to live upon arrival. This ensures your transition into French life is safe, stable, and well-planned.
Without valid accommodation proof, your visa application is considered incomplete and may be rejected by the consulate.
What is considered a valid proof of accommodation?
To be accepted by French visa authorities, your proof of accommodation must meet the following criteria:
- Clearly state your full name
- Include the full address of the accommodation
- Indicate the duration of your stay
- Be signed and/or officially stamped by the provider (host, landlord, or hotel)
- Must be written in French or English, or be accompanied by a certified French translation
Let’s take a closer look at the most commonly accepted documents:
Hotel reservation
If you’re planning to stay in temporary housing—such as a hotel—while searching for long-term accommodation, a hotel booking can be accepted for short durations.
The reservation confirmation must include your name exactly as it appears on your passport, the hotel’s full contact details, the exact check-in and check-out dates, and confirmation that the room has been fully prepaid for the entire duration of the stay.
Rental agreement
A signed rental contract is one of the most reliable forms of proof of accommodation.
The agreement must include your full name and the landlord’s name, the complete address of the rental property, the start and end dates of the lease, the rent amount, and the terms of payment. Both your signature and your landlord’s signature must appear on the document. Make sure the agreement is dated and all pages are clearly legible, especially if submitting a scanned copy.
Attestation d’hébergement
If you’ll be staying with a friend or relative in France, you’ll need a formal attestation d’hébergement—a certificate in which your host confirms that they are providing you with free accommodation.
In addition to the certificate, French consulates often require supporting documents to verify your host’s identity and place of residence:
- A copy of your host ID card or passport
- A recent utility bill (usually electricity bill) clearly showing the full address of the accommodation and your host name as its main occupant
As for the certificate itself, we recommend using the official template provided by the French government: https://www.service-public.fr/simulateur/calcul/AttestationHebergement
Using this tool, your host can easily enter their information, your details, and the accommodation address. A PDF version of the document will be generated, which must be printed and signed by hand.
Here’s an example of how the attestation should be formatted:
Accommodation certificate with Go! Go! France & Uniplaces
Want a stress-free solution that guarantees a valid proof of accommodation accepted by all French consulates? Book your accommodation directly through us!
We’ve partnered with Uniplaces, a trusted student housing platform. When you book through our partner, you’ll receive an official prepaid confirmation certificate, fully compliant with student visa requirements for France.
See accommodations: https://gogofrance.com/en/accommodation-in-france/
