Guide to the student visa to France, part 2

Last time we talked about what are the types of French visas for students and found out that most often the applicants apply for a long-term student visa equivalent to a residence permit. Today, we'll tell you how it is obtained.

Before the application process, applicants must go through the French University - Etudes en France registration process:

• create an electronic file on the Campus France website,

• pay the Etudes en France registration fee,

• have an interview with Campus France of your region of residence, after which you can apply to the French Visa Center.

You can either apply independently or through Campus France, which provides free advice on all issues related to the French education system. They will help you choose the program and apply for the student visa.

A nice bonus: if you apply through Campus France the consular fee is 50 euros instead of 90.

Furthermore, you should read the list of required documents below. All documents should be presented in the following order and in two separate sets: originals and copies.

1. One completed OFII form = Office français de l'immigration et de l'intégration - French Office for Immigration and Integration (can be downloaded from the Consulate's website).

2. Two long-stay visa application forms, duly filled out and signed.

3. Three recent and appropriate photos (color, 3.5 x 4.5 cm, no more than one year old), two of which must be affixed to the forms.

4.  - Foreign passport (no more than 10 years old and valid for at least the entire period of stay + 3 months, must have at least 3 blank pages) + photocopy of the page with the photo and personal data as well as all pages with visa and border crossing stamps;
   - Civilian passport + photocopy of all pages with stamps and data filled in.

5. Campus France fee payment receipt (not required for scholarship holders of the French Government) + Campus France identification number (obtain before applying)

6. Accreditation card or pre-registration to a French higher education institution or course. If it is a matter of enrollment in institutions other than a university, a certificate of tuition fees must be provided.

The last certificate of employment (higher education diploma, incomplete or bachelor's diploma or certificate of secondary education, incomplete or baccalaureate) + insert

If the employment is currently in progress (or the diploma is more than one year old):

- certificate of employment showing the salary;

- employment history (if the employment changes).

If currently engaged in educational activities:

- certificate from the place of study.

        8. Proof of financial means (at least 615 euros a month for the entire period of stay in France):

A bank statement from a personal bank account in France or Russia showing the funds available;

or a confirmation from a private person in French or English, covering all costs of the student's stay in France. This person must provide:

• a letter of sponsorship;

• a bank statement and/or last 3 months' salary statements)

• a photocopy of his/her ID card;

• if the parent is the sponsor, the applicant's birth certificate is also required.

• for scholarship holders, a certificate of the scholarship with amount and period.

9. Proof of accommodation for the first 3 months of the stay in France:

either a hotel reservation and proof of the financial means necessary to pay for the stay;

or a request, in French or English, for accommodation from a private person in France. This person has to provide:

• invitation letter indicating the period;

• documents proving his/her residence at the indicated address;

• a photocopy of his/her identity card.

- either a rental contract in the applicant's name;

-or proof of accommodation from the school or another
institution;

or a letter in French or English explaining the conditions of
your residence and stating your address in France.

It is important! All documents in Russian, except the passport, must be translated into French and certified.

And nobody is safe from surprises. You should be prepared for the fact that, if necessary, the consulate will request other documents as well.

If you have gathered the package completely and correctly, without forgetting a single nuance, you should not be afraid of being rejected. Most such cases are due to inattention when collecting the required papers. But it is important to show at the interview your genuine interest in getting a French education.

Even if suddenly, after doing a lot of work, you read the dreaded word "RESPONSE", do not despair. Any candidate can go through the list again, gather the documents, and apply again.