Study in France
Studying in France offers high-quality education in a culturally rich environment with affordable public university tuition, numerous English taught programs and post study work opportunities. Indian students can pursue undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in fields like Engineering, Business and Fashion in France.
Study Guide
In order to study in France, Indian applicants need to look for courses, prepare their academic and language documents such as mark sheets, transcripts and certificates (IELTS/TOEFL/DELF), apply through Campus France as well as directly to universities and arrange the financial proof for visa application before applying for a student visa. Application materials include official academic records, a Statement of Purpose, English language test scores, and evidence of financial support.
Steps include
- Research and choose a program
- Check eligibility
- Prepare all the required documents
- Apply for admissions
- Secure financial proof
- Apply for the student visa
Student Visa in France
To get a French student visa, you must first get accepted by a French institution and complete the mandatory EEF online procedure. To study in France international students generally need a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS), which serves as a residence permit for courses longer than 4 months.
Application Steps
- Get an official acceptance letter from the French Institute.
- For long-stay Visas, create an account on the campus France website for your country and complete the online form.
- Fill the application form on the official website
- Collect all the necessary documents including a valid passport, acceptance letter, proof of funds, proof of accommodation and health insurance.
- Schedule and attend an appointment at a visa application center to submit your application and documents.
- After arriving in France you must validate your VLS-TS.
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Fees | Application fee is approximately €50 and €100 |
| Work permit | VLS-TS allows you to work up to 20 hours per week |
| Processing time | 2-4 weeks |
| Extension | If you wish to continue your studies after the VLS-TS expires you can apply for multi-annual residence permit |
| Travel | Free travel within Schengen area |
Work Visa in France
To get a work visa in France, you must have a valid job offer from a French company and your employer must obtain the necessary work authorization for you.
Application process
- Secure a job offer
- Gather all the required documents
- Apply for the visa
- Attend the appointment
- Wait for a decision
- Valid the visa upon arrival
Key requirements
- Job offer
- A valid passport
- Proof of your academic and professional qualification
- Proof of medical insurance
- A €99 fee for the long-stay visa, plus a €225 administrative cost upon validation
- Other documents like CV, birth certificate and proof of financial resources may be required
Job Opportunities in France
France's job opportunities are plentiful in technology, STEM, healthcare, and finance due to an expanding digital economy and investment by the government into AI and digital transformation. Key positions include software engineering developers and data scientists, AI experts, as well as for various healthcare and hospitality jobs.
In-demand Sectors and Roles
| Sector | Roles |
|---|---|
| Technology | Software developers, data scientists, AI specialists, cybersecurity experts, and cloud engineers. |
| Healthcare | Nurses, caregivers and other allied healthcare professionals. |
| STEM | Research and other science, technology, engineering and math fields. |
| Finance | Roles in banking, investment and corporate finance. |
| Commerce and retail | Sales, marketing and distribution roles. |
| Hospitality | Positions in restaurants and hotels |
| Other | Construction, installation, and maintenance roles. |
How to Find a Job
- Use job websites like LinkedIn, Indeed and Totaljobs.
- Look at France Travail for a comprehensive list and the APEC for management roles.
- Attend job fairs to meet recruiters in person.
- Send unsolicited applications to companies that interest you.
- Set up email alerts on job sites to be notified of new listings.
Permanent Residency in France
To apply for permanent residency (PR) in France after your studies, you need to complete your course of study, get a post-study work visa and then live and work legally in the country for a minimum administrative period of five years with regular pay slips as well as good command over French language. The method includes initiating the procedure by applying for your first post-study work immigration status, moving onto a long-term work visa such as 'Passeport Talent' or 'Salarié', to finally filing in for your PR along with documents of sufficient income, residence and integration.
Before you Apply
- Check the eligibility
- Learn French
- Integrate into French Society
- Gather all required documents
Application Process
- Submit the application form
- Include all the necessary documents like passport, current residence permit, proof of financial resources, address, residence period, health insurance, French language certificate, complete application form and 3 recent passport size photographs.
- Pay the fees
- Receive the permit
Note that upon the expiry of a standard resident card, you may be eligible for an indefinite resident card.
FAQ'S
Q1. How to immigrate to France?
Ans. To immigrate to France, you generally need to obtain a long-stay visa and then apply for a residence permit after arrival, which typically involves demonstrating a clear purpose for your stay, such as employment, study, or entrepreneurship.
Q2. How to apply for PR in France?
Ans. To apply for PR in France, you must first apply for a long-stay visa, then a residency permit upon arrival, and after at least five years of legal residency, submit a permanent residence application to the local French prefecture.
Q3. What are the advantages of studying in France?
Ans. The advantages include affordable and high quality education, English taught programs, post study work and cultural experience.
Q4. What are the job opportunities available in France?
Ans. Job opportunities in France are available across many sectors, with high demand in technology (IT engineers, data analysts), healthcare (nurses, caregivers), retail and sales, and construction. Other promising fields include hospitality and tourism, renewable energy, and finance.