Are you getting ready to apply for a student visa to France? One important step is making sure you have all the necessary documents.
This article will focus on proof of accommodation. We’ll explain what it is, which documents are accepted, what information you need, and how to get it.
Why is proof of accommodation required?
Proof of accommodation is required for all students applying for a visa to study in France. It shows the French authorities that you have a place to stay upon arrival.
Without valid proof of accommodation, your visa application will be incomplete and may be rejected.
What qualifies as valid proof of accommodation?
French authorities will accept your proof of accommodation if it meets the following requirements:
- Clearly state your full name
- Include the full address of the accommodation
- Indicate the duration of your stay
- Be signed or officially stamped by the provider, such as your host, landlord, or hotel
- Be written in French or English, or include a certified French translation
Here are the most common types of documents you can use:
> Hotel reservation
If you plan to stay in temporary housing, like a hotel, while you look for long-term accommodation, a hotel booking can be accepted for short stays.
The reservation confirmation should show your name as it appears on your passport, the hotel’s full contact details, your check-in and check-out dates, and proof that you have prepaid for the whole stay.
> Rental agreement
A signed rental contract is one of the most reliable ways to prove your accommodation.
The agreement should list your full name and your landlord’s name, the full address, the start and end dates of the lease, the rent amount, and payment terms. Both you and your landlord need to sign it. Make sure the agreement is dated and easy to read, especially if you are sending a scanned copy.
> Attestation d’hébergement
If you will stay with a friend or relative in France, you need a formal “attestation d’hébergement”. This is a certificate confirming that your host is providing you with free accommodation.
We suggest using the official template from the French government: https://www.service-public.fr/simulateur/calcul/AttestationHebergement
Your host just needs to fill in their information, your details, and the accommodation address. After that, you can download the PDF, print it, and have your host sign it by hand.
Along with this document, you’ll be asked for extra documents to confirm your host’s identity and where they live:
- A copy of your host ID card or passport
- A recent utility bill, usually an electricity bill, that clearly shows the full address and your host’s name as the main occupant
How to obtain an accommodation certificate with Go! Go! France
If you want a simple way to obtain valid proof of accommodation, you can book it directly with us. We make the booking process easier for you.
We partner with trusted online booking platforms to offer you a wide range of accommodation options. When you book through our partners, you don’t need a guarantor, income proof, complicated paperwork, or in-person viewings.
After you book, our partners will provide a visa-compatible accommodation certificate. This document confirms your housing in France and can be used for your visa application.
You can find and book accommodation here.
