France Study Visa Support

The Études en France procedure

Pakistani students go through the Campus France "Études en France" process: you create a file, list your programme choices, submit academic documents, and attend an interview at Campus France before a visa appointment is possible.

The interview is a real assessment of academic coherence and motivation, conducted by people who see a great many files. It is not a formality, and it is where a candidate applying to a course unrelated to their background gets found out.

Cost, and what the fees actually are

• Public university tuition is low, set nationally, with differentiated rates for non-EU students that many institutions choose to waive or reduce.
• CVEC (a compulsory annual student life contribution) is separate from tuition and must be paid before enrolment.
• Proof of monthly means is required for the visa, at a level set against student living costs.
• Housing assistance is available to students in France, including international students, which materially changes the monthly budget.

Language

French-taught programmes generally expect B2, evidenced by DELF, DALF or TCF depending on the institution. English-taught programmes have grown considerably, especially in business and engineering.

Even on an English-taught course the Campus France interview goes better with some French, and the practical business of housing, banking and administration assumes it.

After you arrive

The long-stay student visa acts as a residence permit once validated online shortly after arrival. Missing that validation leaves you without valid status despite holding a valid visa. A technicality that causes real problems at the first renewal.