Choose the kind of student visa you need. There are three different student visas; one for stays up to three months, another for stays three to six months, and a third for stays of six months to a year. Those wishing to stay over six months must apply for the one-year visa.
Find your consulate. If you are in the U.S., consult the French Embassy map of French Consulates, listed below. If the consulate is nearby, pay a visit to pick up the visa application and ask any pressing questions.
Complete the application. Include a passport-size photograph glued on each form (always have extra photos on hand just in case). Don't forget the visa fee.
Check your passport and make sure that it is valid. The passport must be valid three months past the applicant's last day in France.
Organize all school-related documents. You'll need proof of studies in the U.S. (letter from the school or university) and letter of admission from the school you plan to attend in France.
Get your finances in order. France requires proof that the applicant will receive a monthly stipend of at least $600 per month for the duration of their stay. You can also provide proof of personal income along with a letter from school stating that room, board, and tuition are fully prepaid. First check with the consulate, as amounts like these are subject to change.
Include proof of insurance. France requires that all visiting students have international health care. If you are over 28, certain schools may require you to sign up for French Social Security.
Apply for a work permit for to get a job in France. Theoretically, the company will apply for the work permit on behalf of the applicant, although many companies in France require the applicant to receive their work permit before they get the job, making this step somewhat of a Catch-22.
Find a job. France gives job priority first to French citizens, then citizens of the EU, then everyone else, so finding a job in France can be quite difficult.
Get a part-time job if you are a student. Student visas offer the opportunity to work for a limited number of hours per week. For those looking to stay in France for a short period of time, this might be their best bet. France typically allows foreign students to work 10-20 hours a week during the school year and 20-39 during the summer. Many tutor or work as au pairs.
