Student Visa for France

France Student Visa: Campus France, finances and two years after graduation

France has built a clear system: first the Campus France filter (mandatory for many countries), then the VLS-TS étudiant visa, and after studies — the RECE residence permit (recherche d'emploi ou création d'entreprise), which replaced the APS, valid for up to 12 months for Master’s graduates. Citizens of Kyrgyzstan are formally exempt from mandatory registration on the Études en France platform, so they can apply directly through France-Visas. The Campus France procedure is not required for them and cannot be undertaken voluntarily, since there is no Campus France office in Kyrgyzstan. Let’s break it all down.

Types of visas and who needs what

VLS-TS étudiant — a long-stay visa for programmes longer than 90 days (Bachelor’s, Master’s). Issued for 1 year; after arrival you validate it online, then it is extended until the end of your studies.
Schengen C — for short courses of up to 90 days.
étudiant-concours — for sitting entrance exams (90 days; you can change status within the country).

Campus France for applicants from Kyrgyzstan

Campus France is a government body that checks how serious your study project is. Citizens from the «Campus France list» are required to register on the Études en France platform. Kyrgyzstan is not on this list, so you can apply directly through France-Visas. The Campus France procedure is not provided for citizens of Kyrgyzstan.

Financial requirements

The minimum threshold: 615 euros a month (7 380 euros a year). But for Paris and the major cities you really need 1 000–1 200 euros a month. The consulate looks at how convincing the sum is — the higher, the better.

How to prove it:

Bank statements in your name for 3–6 months (the money should not appear suddenly just before submission).
Financial sponsorship from parents (their statements + birth certificate with translation + a letter of undertaking).

A blocked account (the equivalent of the German Sperrkonto) is possible at some French banks, but this is a non-standard and optional method; in practice account statements or sponsorship are used more often.

The application process for citizens of Kyrgyzstan

In Kyrgyzstan there is an Embassy of France at: Bishkek, 59 Manas Avenue. Visa matters are handled directly by the Embassy of France in Bishkek.

You need to obtain an invitation from a French university, fill in the application on France-Visas (VLS-TS étudiant) and book an appointment at the Embassy of France in Bishkek. After that you will need to assemble your document package, pay the 50-euro fee, attend an interview and await a decision. The waiting time is usually between 2 and 8 weeks.

The main documents:

Passport (valid for at least 1 year after the visa expires)
Letter of admission from a French university
Educational documents (translated into French)
Financial proof
Confirmation of housing in France (dormitory, rental contract)
Medical insurance (for the first months)
Motivation letter (1–2 pages, in French or English)
Birth certificate with translation
Language certificate (DELF/DALF, TOEFL/IELTS — depending on the programme)

Working while studying

You are allowed to work up to 964 hours a year — that is about 20 hours a week during the semester. During holidays — full days. No separate permit is needed — the right is granted by the VLS-TS visa itself. Internships that are part of the curriculum do not count as work and are not included in the limit.

France’s main bonus is the RECE residence permit (recherche d'emploi ou création d'entreprise), which replaced the APS:

12 months for graduates of Master’s and engineering schools (previously some categories had 24 months, but the period has now been unified). For Bachelor’s and vocational programme graduates such a permit is usually not provided.

During the RECE you can work full-time in any field. Once you find permanent work with a salary of 1 400–1 600 euros a month or more, you switch to a work residence permit. For graduates of French universities the procedure is streamlined (the employer does not have to prove the absence of local candidates).

Maintaining status and the restrictions

Within 3 months of entry you must validate the visa online on the ANEF website (a fee of about 50 euros). Without this the visa is invalid.

Not allowed:

Interrupting your studies without permission.
Working more than 964 hours a year.
Claiming social benefits (RSA and certain others).
Leaving France for a long time (more than 3–6 months) without explanation.

Pitfalls

Language. Even on an English-taught programme, basic French (A2–B1) at the interview is a big plus.
Housing. In France it is hard to rent a flat without a local guarantor. Use CROUS dormitories or services like Garantme.
Financial history. A sudden deposit of a large sum just before submission is a red flag. The money should have been in the account for at least 3–4 months.

What matters for applicants from Kyrgyzstan

The Embassy of France in Bishkek works by appointment, so plan your submission 3–4 months before the start of your studies. In the summer months processing can stretch to 10 weeks. Translate all documents into French — this improves the consulate’s goodwill.

The bottom line

The French student visa is a consistent procedure: a direct application through France-Visas (no Campus France required), finances of 7 380 euros a year or more, confirmed housing and an interview. With proper preparation the visa is quite attainable, and the post-study opportunities are among the best in Europe.

If you want to get to grips with the nuances of submitting documents, choose a programme or properly arrange your financial guarantees — turn to our specialists. We will help you map out a route without unnecessary delays.