Before you can stroll down the Seine or sit in the lecture halls of Sorbonne, there’s a crucial step to undertake: assembling your student visa supporting documents. This article aims to demystify the process, ensuring your application is as seamless as your dreams of living and studying in France.
Student Visa Supporting Documents List
Below is a list of the most frequently asked documents. This is not a comprehensive list of the student visa supporting documents. Documents vary depending on your nationality, your situation and other factors.
- Passport: Valid for at least 3 months beyond your stay. Ensure it has at least 2 blank pages.
- Application Form: Fill out the online application form on France-Visas.
- Photographs: Recent and meeting with visa photo requirements.
- Acceptance Letter: From your French educational institution, confirming your admission.
- Last Completed Degree: Not always required.
- Your Resume: Not always required.
- Motivation Letter: In French or in English.
- Proof of Funds: Bank statements or a guarantee, showing you can support yourself.
- Health Insurance: Coverage for the duration of your stay.
- Proof of Accommodation: Rental agreements, hotel reservations or a letter from your host.
- Language Proficiency: Proof of French proficiency (DELF/DALF or TCF) or English proficiency (TOEIC/TOEFL), depending on your course.
Passport
Original and a copy of your passport, issued less than 10 years ago, containing at least two blank pages, with a period of validity at least 3 months longer than the expiry date of the visa requested. Be sure to transmit all pages of your passport containing visas, entry and exit stamps or any other inscription.
Photographs
2 recent ID pictures in ISO/IEC format.
Acceptance Letter
Your enrolment certificate should include:
- Your full name
- The official letterhead of the institution
- The start and end dates of the study program (day, month, year)
- In the case of a language school: the weekly number of course hours
- The official stamp of the institution and the signature of the responsible person
Some embassies may request the original document, but you may have received yours in PDF format. In that case, your school will need to send your enrollment certificate directly to the embassy as confirmation.
Motivation Letter
Craft a compelling motivation letter by succinctly stating your purpose, showcasing your academic achievements, and expressing your unique interest in the French educational system and culture. Highlight how the program aligns with your career goals, demonstrate your readiness to engage in cultural exchange, and maintain a formal yet engaging tone.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself that may help you write your motivations:
- Why do you want to study X?
- Why study X in France (rather than in your home country)? Why now?
- What made you interested in learning X?
- Why did you decide to enroll in your school/program?
- How will learning X benefit you?
- How do you plan to use your new knowledge?
Proof of Means/Funds
Usually, the last 3 bank statements showing availability of at least 615€ per month, or a scholarship certificate, or a letter of financial guarantee and last 3 bank statements of your sponsor.
Please read our article on the financial requirements for studying in France for more information: https://gogofrance.com/en/blog/financial-requirements-for-studying-in-france/
Health Insurance
For short stays of less than 90 days, it is the responsibility of the students to ensure they have secured international insurance covering their trip to France. You will need to provide an insurance certificate proving you have travel and health insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros for any medical emergencies, such as illnesses, accidents, and even repatriation in the event of death, as well as coverage for your civil liability.
For those holding a student visa and here for a long stay, the Social Security (SECU)) offers foreign students social coverage while studying in France. Registration is mandatory and free of charge. However, until registration is complete, students are highly encouraged to have travel and health insurance to be covered during the gap period between their arrival in France and their registration with the SECU.
More info here: https://gogofrance.com/en/health-insurance-for-students-in-france/
Proof of Accommodation
Your proof of accommodation can be a hotel reservation, rental agreement, sworn statement/undertaking from the host (establishment/institution or private individual) or explanatory letter from the student detailing how the accommodation is planned.
If someone will be hosting you in France, they must visit their local town hall in France to obtain the proof of accommodation document on your behalf. More information is available here: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2191 (in French only). Once issued, your host in France must send you the original document by post. When submitting your visa application, you must possess the original document, as it must be stamped by the consulate and presented when you enter the country.
Translations
All student visa supporting documents provided must be written in French or English, or be accompanied by a certified French translation. Do not translate documents on your own as your translation would not meet the immigration standard and could lead to a visa rejection. Your local embassy/consulate may redirect you to local translators who are recognized by French authorities.
Dos and Don’ts
- Do check the latest requirements on the French consulate’s website, as they can change.
- Do organize your documents in the order listed by the consulate to facilitate the review process.
- Don’t submit incomplete forms or documents. Missing information can lead to delays or rejections.
- Don’t underestimate the time it takes to gather all documents. Allow at least a few months before your intended departure.
- Don’t forge or alter documents. The integrity of your application is paramount.
Conclusion
Assembling your student visa supporting documents might seem daunting, but with careful planning and attention to detail, it’s a hurdle you can easily overcome. With the right preparation, your dream of studying in France is well within reach.
Go! Go! France can help you apply for a language school and sort out your documents for your visa application. Contact us to get your live and study in Japan journey started.
