Yes, students from Laos can study AI in France in English, with no French required at AI2. You get an admission letter, complete France-Visas, then file at the embassy in Vientiane. Here is the official route.
In short: Laos is not on the Études en France list, so after admission students in Laos go directly to France-Visas and file by appointment at the Embassy of France in Vientiane. There is no visa contractor, and the fee is paid in kip, in cash. At AI2, the Bachelor costs €9,000 a year in Years 1 and 2, and MSc Year 1 costs €12,500, from €10,500 with scholarship. Intakes are in February, May and September 2027.
AI2 (Applied Institute of Artificial Intelligence) is a French school of applied AI and data science at Écouen, 22 minutes from Paris Gare du Nord. French is not required for its English-taught programmes.
⚠️ Important: no deposit, no enrolment certificate
AI2 issues your enrolment certificate only after your €5,000 deposit is paid. Campus France and the consulate ask for this certificate: without the deposit, your Études en France file and your visa application cannot go ahead.
Applying to AI2 is free: there is no application fee. If your visa or your Campus France file is officially refused, the deposit is refunded minus €300 of administrative fees, on presentation of the refusal letter. Pay only by the instructions in your AI2 documents, never to a personal account.
What AI2 costs
| Programme | Tuition | Start |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Applied AI, Years 1 and 2 | €9,000 a year | February, May or September 2027 |
| Bachelor, final year | €9,900 | Follows Year 2 |
| MSc, Year 1 | €12,500, from €10,500 with scholarship | February, May or September 2027 |
| MSc, 18-month direct entry | €13,000 single fee, from €11,300 with scholarship | See tuition fees |
| Fast-Track Data Science, 11 months | €12,500, or €11,000 before 15 November 2026 | February 2027 |
AI2 bills in euros.
Your route from Laos in 5 steps
When to start
Allow one month between filing and departure. You can file from 6 months before departure. The visa service aims for 48 hours, longer if checks are needed, and appointments are harder to get before the summer and winter school holidays. For February 2027, start now. Your passport must stay valid at least 3 months after the end of the visa requested.
How much money you must show
France requires at least €877.50 a month, or €10,530 for twelve months. See the cost of studying AI in France for a realistic budget near Paris.
Does a Lao diploma get you in?
There is no legal equivalence between diplomas: the host institution decides. AI2 assesses each diploma individually. Ask admissions about Bachelor Year 1 after upper secondary school, and about MSc Year 1 after a bachelor’s degree.
English: AI2 asks for B2 level, shown by IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 72 or English-medium schooling. TOEFL iBT is listed for Laos, and IELTS centres are listed in Vientiane. Legalisation, not apostille: Laos is not in the Apostille Convention, and France’s table shows legalisation for Lao documents. Ask admissions what it needs before you start this step.
Funding
AI2’s scholarships for excellence and early application can bring MSc Year 1 from €12,500 down to €10,500. We found no 2026 French government call for Lao students, so confirm any other funding with its provider before you pay a deposit.
Is an AI2 qualification recognised?
AI2’s degree programmes prepare RNCP titles at Levels 6 and 7, recognised by the French State. Campus France states that the value of a French diploma is guaranteed by the State for national diplomas, Ministry-approved diplomas and titles registered in the RNCP. You can look up each code on the France Compétences website. See is AI2 recognised and all programmes.
After you graduate
The one-year job-search permit is open to master’s-level graduates, among others, so most bachelor’s graduates who want to stay continue to a master’s first. Any AI2 BSc graduate can progress to MSc Year 1. No school can promise a job or a visa, and AI2 does not. While you study, the student visa allows up to 964 hours of work a year.
Getting to the campus
We found no official source for a direct Vientiane to Paris flight, so plan a connection. Air France flies from Bangkok to Paris-CDG twice daily in winter 2026-27. Also read visa guidance, the guides for Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, and all country guides.
Frequently asked questions
Can students from Laos study AI in France in English?
Yes. AI2’s Bachelor and MSc programmes at Écouen near Paris are taught 100% in English, and French is not required.
Is Études en France required in Laos?
Laos is not on the current France-Visas or Campus France lists. Ask the Campus France office in Vientiane whether any step applies to you.
Where do I apply for a French student visa in Laos?
At the visa service of the Embassy of France in Vientiane, in person and by appointment. There is no contractor.
How much is the visa from Laos?
France-Visas shows about €99 for countries outside Études en France. It is paid in cash in kip at the day’s rate.
How long does the visa take?
The visa service aims for 48 hours, longer if checks are needed. Allow one month between filing and departure.
Do Lao diplomas need an apostille?
No apostille route exists, because Laos is not in the Apostille Convention. France’s table shows legalisation. Ask AI2 admissions what it needs.
How much does AI2 cost?
Bachelor Years 1 and 2 cost €9,000 a year. MSc Year 1 costs €12,500, or from €10,500 with scholarship.
Last checked on 2 November 2026 against the official sources listed below. Rules and fees change, so confirm them with Campus France and the French consulate before you pay.
Official sources: France-Visas: Laos · France-Visas: student · Campus France: Vientiane office · Campus France: outside Études en France · HCCH: Apostille Convention status · Service-Public: student visa, resources and tax
Tell AI2 your current level: admissions confirms your entry year, tuition and scholarship in writing, then you start your visa file.
