Visa Guidance
Official French resources to check the visa procedure that applies to your nationality, residence and study plans.
International students
Plan your visa with the official French procedure
Depending on your nationality, your country of residence and the length of your studies, you may need a long-stay student visa before coming to France. The procedure, the documents and the timelines are set by the French authorities; AI2 provides the admission and enrolment documents you need and guides you through the steps.
- Études en France (EEF): students from the countries covered by this procedure apply through the Campus France platform.
- France-Visas: students from other countries apply directly through the national visa portal.
- VLS-TS validation: long-stay visas must be validated online within three months of arrival.
- Admission does not guarantee a visa: visa decisions are made by the French authorities.
Documents from AI2
After the admission steps, the admissions team provides the admission letter and enrolment documents required for your visa file.
Visa timeline for international applicants
| When | What to do | Official resource |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 8 months before the intake | Check whether your country uses the Études en France procedure; confirm that your passport is valid; prepare degree certificates, transcripts, English evidence and translations | Campus France – Études en France |
| 5 to 6 months before | Apply to AI2; receive the admission letter and enrolment documents | Apply to AI2 |
| 3 to 5 months before | Create your file on Études en France (if applicable) or on France-Visas; book the visa appointment; prepare proof of funds and accommodation | Études en France · France-Visas |
| 1 to 2 months before | Track the visa decision; organise travel, insurance and arrival; tell AI2 your arrival date | France-Visas |
| Within 3 months of arrival | Validate the long-stay visa (VLS-TS) online and complete any residence formalities | Foreign-national administration portal |
| During your studies | Renew your residence permit before it expires; check the rules on student work and work-study eligibility | Work-study at AI2 |
Three steps, three official platforms
Before applying
Études en France
The Campus France platform for students from the countries it covers: academic file, interview and pre-consular review.
Visa application
France-Visas
The national portal to identify your visa type, prepare the document list and book your appointment.
After arrival
Residence formalities
Validate your VLS-TS online and manage later residence-permit requests on the official portal.
Who does what
| AI2 provides | The French authorities decide |
|---|---|
| Admission letter, enrolment confirmation and the documents required for your file | Whether a visa is required, the visa type and the decision |
| Guidance on the procedure and on the documents to prepare | Processing times and appointment availability |
| Housing guidance and arrival support described in the student-support offer | Residence-permit conditions, including authorisation to work |