FranceStudy

Student residence permit in France

The programme allows foreign students to obtain a long-stay visa (VLS-TS) which automatically serves as the residence title for the first year of study. Once the first year is over the student can renew the residence permit on the basis of a temporary card (valid for one year and renewable) or a multi-year card, whose term depends on how many years of study remain. The process is entirely online, and the status of the file is visible in real time.

Source: Service-Public.fr — the official French administration portal

Who the programme suits

The student residence permit is intended for foreign nationals admitted to institutions of higher education or vocational training programmes in France.

The main category

A foreign student enrolled at a university or a higher education school
A student on a vocational training programme (formation professionnelle)
Someone completing one or more years of study in France

With simplified evidence of means

A student admitted by competitive examination to an educational institution that has signed an agreement with the state
There is no need to evidence €877.50 a month if participation in the competitive examination is certified by the institution's documents
This includes students at priority French and partner institutions

Special conditions for work

Those who wish to work during their studies within the set limit of hours (964 a year for most)
A student can work without a prior work permit as long as the limit is not exceeded
If the limit has to be exceeded, the employer arranges a work permit

When the programme is not a fit

Study entirely at a distance, without being present on site

A visitor visa (visiteur) or a tourist visa (a deposit for 3 to 12 months depending on the type of programme)

Language courses that are not part of an accredited higher education programme

A long-stay study visa (VLS-S «stage») or a tourist visa

Plans to stay on after the course and work full time

After finishing the course, switch the status to a specialist residence permit (passeport talent) or an employee residence permit

Insufficient financial means (less than €877.50 a month) without a contract with an accredited institution

A tourist visa or a visitor visa (if you have a sponsor in France)

What it costs

Validating the student VLS-TS within 3 months of arrivalA mandatory payment in tax stamps; it turns the visa into a valid residence title	150 EUR
Temporary residence card for 1 yearTax and stamps together; paid on the first renewal or re-issue after the VLS-TS	100 EUR
Multi-year residence card for 2-4 years€100 tax + €50 in tax stamps; the period of validity depends on how much of the course remains	150 EUR
Extra regularisation charge for filing lateApplies if the application is filed after the current document has expired; charged in addition to the main fee	+180 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Extra regularisation charge for filing late” adds 180 EUR; the “Multi-year residence card for 2-4 years” branch replaces the “Temporary residence card for 1 year” line — 300 EUR. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	250–430 EUR

Paid separately

Consular charge for arranging the initial VLS-TS — Not part of the state charges; set by the consulate in the applicant's country of residence
Services for preparing documents and translations — Not part of the state charges; they may be needed whatever the programme

Documents to gather

The following documents are required when applying for a residence title (in the second and subsequent years) or when validating the VLS-TS:

A valid passport
A valid VLS-TS visa or residence title
An electronic photograph (e-photo) in passport format
A document confirming enrolment at the educational institution
Academic documents: diplomas, transcripts of marks (relevé de notes) from the institution
Bank statements evidencing financial means of at least €877.50 a month (if you were not admitted by competitive examination and have no special agreement)
Evidence of your place of residence (a utility bill, a tenancy agreement, no more than 6 months old)
A declaration accepting the republican values of France (signed by the applicant)

How the process runs

Obtaining and renewing the student residence permit runs through several stages, depending on whether it is the first year of stay or a renewal.

1
Obtaining the student long-stay visa (VLS-TS) at the consulate
According to the consulate's timelines
At the consulate in your country of residence. The visa is issued for between 4 months and 1 year, depending on the course. The visa works as a residence title and allows entry to France and movement within the Schengen area.
2
Validating the VLS-TS within 3 months of arriving in France
Up to 3 months after entry
This has to be done through the French authorities' online portal. You have to pay €150 in tax stamps. Once validated, the visa becomes a valid residence title and you receive electronic confirmation. This has to be done before the 3-month deadline passes.
3
Filing the application to renew or re-issue the residence title
Between 4 and 2 months before the VLS-TS or title expires
The application is filed online only, through the official portal. The applicant receives an electronic filing certificate immediately after registering. The status of the consideration can be tracked in the personal account at any time.
4
Consideration of the application by the prefecture
Up to 90 days
The prefecture for your place of residence considers the documents. Silence from the administration for 90 days counts by default as a refusal. You may receive a decision sooner — usually it takes 4-6 weeks.
5
Collecting the residence title (card) at the prefecture office
By appointment
After a positive decision you will be invited to the prefecture office to collect the residence title. The temporary card is issued for 1 year and can be renewed. The multi-year card is issued for 2-4 years, depending on how much of the course remains.

Timelines and rights

Work

Up to 964 hours a year (60% of the statutory annual working time) without a work permit. Above that limit the employer has to obtain a work permit before the employment starts, and also file a named declaration with the prefecture no later than 2 working days before work begins. A special regime applies to students from Algeria: a work permit is always required, and the limit is 50% of the annual working time in the relevant sector. The rule is confirmed on the page service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2713.

Renewal and the grace period

Renewing the student residence title starts with filing the application between 4 and 2 months before the current document expires. The application is filed online only. Once the residence document has expired, an extra regularisation charge of €180 has to be paid. The renewal can take the form of a temporary card (1 year, renewable again) or a multi-year card (2-4 years depending on how much of the course remains). Each renewal requires confirmation of active study at the educational institution and financial means of at least €877.50 a month (unless this is covered by an agreement with the institution).

Frequently asked questions about Student residence permit

What is the limit on working hours for a foreign student without a work permit?

A student can work up to 964 hours a year (that is 60% of the statutory annual working time) without obtaining a work permit. If the employer plans to employ the student beyond that limit, they have to obtain a work permit before the employment relationship starts and file a named declaration with the prefecture no later than 2 working days before the employment begins.

What special rules on work apply to students from Algeria?

Students from Algeria need a work permit for any work, including employment within the 964 hours a year. The maximum limit on work is 50% of the annual working time in the relevant sector. This follows from the bilateral agreement between France and Algeria.

What happens if I file the renewal application after my current document has expired?

If you file after your VLS-TS or residence title has expired, you will have to pay an extra visa regularisation charge of €180 (except in cases of force majeure or where you hold another valid visa). It is best to avoid this by filing within the set window: between 4 and 2 months before expiry.

How long is the student VLS-TS valid for when first issued?

The long-stay visa (VLS-TS) marked «étudiant» is issued for between 4 months and 1 year, depending on the course. The exact period is set by the consulate in the applicant's country of residence on the basis of the educational institution's documents and the expected length of study.

Is financial evidence required for the student residence permit?

Yes, the applicant has to evidence financial resources of at least €877.50 a month. However, this requirement does not apply if the student was admitted by competitive examination to an educational institution that has signed an agreement with the French state. In that case no financial evidence is required.

How do I track the status of my application for a residence title?

The status of the application is tracked in real time through the personal account on the French authorities' online portal. When you file the application you receive an electronic certificate (récépissé) straight away. You can log in to the personal account at any time and see what stage your file has reached.

Other ways to move to France

Every route in one list — migration programmes: France.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.