For students in Kyrgyzstan, the least obvious part of the French visa process is geography: the French Embassy in Bishkek has no consular section, so long-stay applications are lodged in Kazakhstan. This guide explains that cross-border step, how the ORT and a Kyrgyz degree relate to AI2’s programmes, and what to budget in som.
AI2 – Applied Institute of Artificial Intelligence is an applied AI school on the Écouen campus, 22 minutes from Paris Gare du Nord. Its programmes are taught in English and prepare qualifications registered by the French State with France Compétences (RNCP) at level 6 (bachelor’s level) and level 7 (master’s level).
Applying from Kyrgyzstan: what is specific to you
Your visa file goes to Almaty or Astana
France-Visas tells residents of Kyrgyzstan who need a visa for more than 90 days to select Kazakhstan as their place of submission. You then book an appointment at the VFS Global centre in Almaty or in Astana, and the French Embassy in Astana examines the application. The Swiss Embassy in Bishkek, which deals with French short-stay visas, does not handle long-stay student files.
Kyrgyzstan is not on Campus France’s list of Études en France countries, so your AI2 admission letter takes you directly to the France-Visas form. Campus France Kyrgyzstan’s website, in Russian, Kyrgyz and French, is still a handy reference on French higher education and student life. France-Visas advises leaving two to three months between your appointment and your departure, and the trip to Kazakhstan needs its own budget.
ORT results and Kyrgyz qualifications
The General Republican Testing (ORT), organised by the Center for Educational Assessment and Teaching Methods, marked its 25th year in 2026 and is used for admission to Kyrgyz universities, with registration also opening for winter admissions. Here is how your stage of study relates to AI2’s entry points:
- Certificate of complete secondary education with mathematics, plus your ORT certificate if you have one: the Bachelor in Applied AI.
- Two years of university completed in Bishkek, Osh or elsewhere: the BSc final-year top-up.
- A bachelor’s degree in computing, engineering, mathematics or statistics: the MSc Applied AI (RNCP level 7).
- Four years of related higher education, or a master’s: possibly the 11-month Fast-Track that starts in January, subject to the academic team’s review.
One journey, two appointments
The British Council’s Kazakhstan office lists Almaty and Astana among its thirteen IELTS cities, the same two cities that host the VFS Global centres. If you still need a test score, it can make sense to check whether an IELTS date and a visa slot can be combined in one stay. Schooled in English? Look at studying in France without IELTS first.
Kyrgyzstan has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 2011, like France, so an apostille is the format to use if a French authority asks you to authenticate a diploma.
| Item | EUR | KGS (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Applied AI, per year after the AI2 scholarship | from €9,000 | about KGS 884,000 |
| BSc final-year top-up | from €9,900 | about KGS 972,000 |
| MSc Applied AI, per year after the AI2 scholarship | from €10,500 | about KGS 1.03 million |
| 11-month Fast-Track | €11,000 | about KGS 1.08 million |
| VFS Global service fee (collected in tenge) | €32 | about KGS 3,100 |
Monthly living expenses are broken down in our page on the cost of studying AI in France.
Reaching Paris
Paris Aéroport lists no carrier flying non-stop between Bishkek and Paris, so expect at least one change of plane. After landing at Charles de Gaulle, continue by train to Gare du Nord, 22 minutes from the Écouen campus, and line up housing beforehand with our accommodation guide.
Sources checked in October 2026: France-Visas: applying from Kyrgyzstan · France-Visas: Kazakhstan visa centres · Campus France: countries using the Études en France procedure · Center for Educational Assessment and Teaching Methods (ORT) · British Council Kazakhstan: IELTS locations · HCCH: Apostille Convention status table
AI and data science programmes for students from Kyrgyzstan
Bachelor in Applied AI
Three years after secondary school. RNCP level 6, from €9,000 a year after the AI2 scholarship.
BSc final year
AI-Powered Application Development or Data Analytics & Applied AI. Entry with an HND, a BTS or two years of higher education. RNCP level 6, from €9,900.
MSc Applied AI
Data Science, Cybersecurity or IoT. RNCP level 7 (master’s level), from €10,500 a year after the AI2 scholarship.
11-month Fast-Track
The level-7 qualification in under a year, €11,000. Starts in January.
All programmes and current fees: all programmes, scholarships and our guide to the cost of studying AI in France.
Entry requirements for students from Kyrgyzstan
- Bachelor Year 1: the certificate of complete secondary education, with mathematics. English at B2 level: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 72 or equivalent, or schooling in English.
- MSc: a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics or a related field. English at B2 level: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 72 or equivalent, or schooling in English.
Why study AI in France rather than the UK or Australia?
- Tuition from €10,500 a year for an MSc, far below typical UK fees.
- Programmes taught in English, in the Paris region, at the heart of Europe.
- The right to work up to 964 hours a year during your studies, and a post-study permit for master’s-level graduates.
- Applied projects with companies, from the first semester.
Careers after an AI degree
Graduates can work in AI and data roles in Europe, with Bishkek’s software companies or remotely for international clients. Typical roles include data scientist, machine learning engineer, AI developer, data analyst and AI security specialist.
How to come to France from Kyrgyzstan: step by step
Apply to AI2 online and attend an online interview with the academic team.
Receive your admission letter.
Kyrgyzstan is not part of the Études en France procedure: once you hold your admission letter, you apply for the visa directly on France-Visas (see above for where to lodge your file).
Apply for the long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) on France-Visas, with proof of at least €877.50 a month of resources.
Arrive on the Écouen campus near Paris and validate your visa online on the ANEF portal within three months.
Start 6 to 8 months before your intake (January, May or September). The full timeline is in our visa guidance, and daily life is covered in life in France.
Time difference for your online interview
Kyrgyzstan Time (UTC+6): five hours ahead of Paris in winter, four in summer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a French student visa in Bishkek?
No. The French Embassy in Kyrgyzstan has no consular section; for a long stay you select Kazakhstan on France-Visas and lodge your file at VFS Global in Almaty or Astana.
Do Kyrgyz students need the Études en France procedure?
No. Kyrgyzstan is not on Campus France’s list of Études en France countries, so you go straight to France-Visas after receiving your AI2 admission letter.
Who can pick up my passport if I return to Bishkek after the appointment?
Someone holding a notarised power of attorney and an identity document can collect it from the VFS centre, according to France-Visas.
Is there an IELTS centre near the visa centres?
Yes. British Council Kazakhstan holds IELTS in Almaty and Astana, the two cities where the VFS Global centres are.
Apply online: the academic team reviews your file and invites you to an online interview.
