The first step towards the visa application process is to choose the right type of visa for your trip.
This page provides details regarding the following topics
- Application process for student Schengen visa: Applicable to academic programs of 3 months or shorter duration.
- Application process for long-stay student visa (VLS-TS): Applicable to academic programs exceeding 3 months in length.
- Pre-consular application fees.
1- Student Schengen Visa
1- Student Schengen Visa
A student Schengen visa is an entry permit to study in France granted to international students wishing to study for a maximum of 3 months. This type of visa applies to certain nationalities. For instance, UAE nationals are allowed to enter France without applying for a Scehngen visa. You may visit France-Visas website to verify if you need this type of visa.
How to apply for student Schengen visa?
First, you must register on France-Visas website. Then you must make an appointment with the visa center VFS Global Abu Dhabi branch in order to submit your application.
Please note that Campus France procedure is not required for this type of visa.
2- Long-stay visa : VLS-TS
2- Long-stay visa : VLS-TS
The long-stay visa is intended for students who are going to study in France for more than 3 months. The validity of the visa varies between 4 months to one year, depending on the educational program you are enrolled in.
How to apply for a long-stay visa?
After you receive the acceptance letter from a French university or a language center, you must start the pre-consular procedure on "Etudes En France - EeF" portal and follow the steps below :
- Register on "Etudes En France - EEF" website and submit your application following the Etudes en France user guide (check the document below).
- Once your file is submitted, Campus France UAE team will examine your application. If your file is incomplete, you will receive an email in order to make the necessary changes. If your file is complete, Campus France UAE team will validate it.
- Then, payment of 340 AED will be requested. An email with the payment details will be sent to you.
- Once the payment is done and is validated by our financial department, Campus France representative will get in touch with you to schedule a Zoom call.
- Once you're done with the interview, you must register on France-visas website and complete the long-stay visa application form.
- Last but not least, you must submit the visa application at the visa center VFS Global Abu Dhabi branch along with your passport. You can find below the checklist. All the documents listed in the checklist must be submitted to VFS Global.
Please note the following :
- All students must first complete the procedure with Campus France UAE (mentioned above) before making an appointment with the visa center VFS Global.
- The pre-consular procedure cannot be done within 48 hours or less. Please allow 8 working days to process your EEF application (during low season) and 14 working days (during high season). You may start the procedure as early as possible.
- It is not possible to accelerate the application processing on EEF platform. Therefore, it is highly recommended to start your application at least 2 months before your departure to France.
- Visa application processing time by the visa section : student visa applications are processed within 3 to 4 weeks starting from the date of submission of the visa application at the visa center VFS Global Abu Dhabi branch.
Pre-consular application fees
Pre-consular application fees
Pre-consular application involves a fee of 340 AED. After submitting the admission application on the Etudes en France portal, students will receive an email guiding them on how to make the payment via bank transfer. Keep in mind that students must await an email from the EeF portal containing payment instructions before initiating the payment process.
Please be aware that the fees for the visa center service fees and the visa application itself are not covered by the 340 AED and should be paid separately when submitting the visa application at the VFS Global visa center.