How Much Does a France Student Visa Cost

• 2026-08-21
• Author

Planning to study in France involves more than paying tuition fees. Students also need to budget for the visa application, Études en France (EEF) process, visa-center charges, accommodation, travel, and other study-related expenses.

So, how much does a France student visa cost?

For Indian students applying through the EEF procedure, the indicative France student visa fee is €50. In addition, the Études en France fee is ₹20,000 from 1 August 2026. Visa center service charges and optional services can be additional.

The visa fee is only one part of the overall budget. Students should understand each expense separately before starting their application.

Quick Answer:

For an Indian student applying through the EEF procedure, the main application-related expenses are:

• France student visa fee: €50 indicative fee

• Études en France fee: ₹20,000 from 1 August 2026

• Visa-centre service fee: Additional

• Optional services: Additional, if selected

• Travel to the visa centre: Depends on location

• Document preparation: Depends on individual requirements;

France-Visas lists €50 as the indicative student visa tariff for countries covered by the EEF procedure. India is included in the EEF procedure.

What Is the France Student Visa Fee in 2026?

The current indicative student visa fee for applicants from countries covered by the EEF procedure is €50.

For Indian applicants, the fee is paid in Indian rupees according to the applicable administrative exchange rate. France-Visas explains that the amount shown in euros is converted into local currency for payment.

This fee applies to the visa application itself. It does not include the Campus France or EEF processing fee.

Is the €50 Fee the Same for Every Student?

Not necessarily.

France-Visas states that €50 is an indicative tariff for EEF countries and that certain individual situations may have different rates. Students should therefore check the amount applicable to their specific application before making payment.

What Is the Campus France Fee in India?

Indian students following the Études en France procedure should also consider the EEF processing fee.

Campus France India has announced that the fee will increase from ₹18,500 to ₹20,000 effective 1 August 2026. The payment can be made only after the student's file has been validated and the official payment link has been received.

This means students should understand the difference between the following:

Campus France/EEF fee ≠ France student visa fee

They are separate charges associated with different stages of the process.

What Is the Total France Student Visa Cost From India?

There is no single fixed figure that represents the total cost for every applicant because additional expenses can vary.

A student should consider the following:

Therefore, it would be misleading to say that €50 is the complete cost of getting a France student visa.

It is only the official visa application fee.

Are VFS or Visa-Center charges included?

No.

The French visa fee and external service-provider charges are separate.

France-Visas states that visa applications submitted through an external service provider can involve a separate service fee. Additional optional services may also be available.

The exact amount should be checked through the official appointment process before booking.

Students should avoid relying on old websites that publish outdated VFS charges.

Is the France Student Visa Fee Refundable?

Generally, applicants should treat the visa fee as non-refundable.

France-Visas explains that the administration retains the amount received even when a visa application is refused.

Therefore, students should carefully review their application and supporting documents before submitting the file.

How Much Money Do You Need to Show for a France Student Visa?

This is an important distinction:

A financial requirement is not the same as a visa fee.

From 1 August 2026, the minimum proof of financial resources required for a French student visa is €877.50 per month, replacing the previous €615 threshold. Campus France India has officially announced this revision.

This amount is evidence of financial resources. It is not money paid to the French government as a visa fee.

Students should therefore keep these two concepts separate:

Visa fee = application charge

Financial proof is evidence that you can support yourself

This distinction is particularly important when calculating the overall budget.

What Other Costs Should Students Plan For?

The visa application is only one part of the financial planning involved in studying in France.

Tuition and Registration Fees

Tuition depends on the institution and program.

Campus France India states that differentiated registration fees for certain international students at public institutions can be €2,770 for bachelor's programs and €3,770 for master's programs, with several exemptions and institution-specific situations.

Private institutions can have substantially different fees.

Accommodation

Students should budget for:

• Student residence

• Private accommodation

• Security deposit

• Utilities

• Housing-related costs

France-Visas also states that students need to provide either a temporary address covering the first three months or a permanent address if accommodation has already been secured, subject to applicable conditions.

Daily Living Expenses

Your budget should also cover:

• Food

• Local transportation

• Mobile services

• Study materials

• Personal expenses

Travel

Flights between India and France are separate from visa expenses and vary according to the city, season, and booking date.

Are Any Students Exempt From the Visa or EEF Fee?

Yes. Certain scholarship categories can qualify for exemptions.

Campus France India lists categories including certain French Government scholarship holders, Charpak scholarship recipients, Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders, and specified co-financed scholarship programs.

However, exemptions depend on the specific scholarship and circumstances.

Students should verify their eligibility rather than assuming that every scholarship automatically provides an exemption.

Does the Visa Fee Change Depending on the Country?

Yes.

France-Visas currently lists:

• €50 for countries covered by the EEF procedure

• €99 for other countries

These are indicative tariffs, and special situations can have different rates.

Because India is included in the EEF procedure, Indian students generally fall under the €50 indicative student visa tariff.

When Should You Pay the France Student Visa Fee?

The visa fee is paid during the visa application process.

Before submitting your application, make sure:

• Your admission is confirmed

• Your EEF procedure is completed where applicable

• Your France-Visas application is accurate

• Your supporting documents are ready

• You are applying for the correct visa category

For Indian students applying for a long-stay student visa, France-Visas currently advises submitting the application one month before the planned departure and not more than six months before departure.

Starting early gives you time to correct missing or inconsistent documents.

Can You Work in France While Studying?

International students in France can generally work up to 964 hours per year, according to France-Visas. However, part-time work should be treated as supplementary income and should not be relied upon to cover all living expenses.

Students should plan their finances independently rather than depending on future employment income.

Those interested in practical international experience may later explore an Internship in france depending on their course, academic requirements, and applicable rules.

Is Studying in France Worth the Cost?

For many international students, France can offer a combination of academic education, international exposure, and access to diverse professional sectors.

Students can pursue programs in areas such as the following:

• Business

• Management

• Fashion

• Hospitality

• Engineering

• Technology

• Finance

• Marketing

• Design

• Tourism

When evaluating the overall budget, students should compare tuition, accommodation, living expenses, visa-related costs, and potential career benefits rather than looking only at the visa fee.

Students considering studying in france should create a complete financial plan before accepting an offer.

International students who want professional exposure can also explore a Paid internship abroad as part of their broader career planning, provided the opportunity meets the applicable academic and legal requirements.

How Can Students Prepare a France Study Budget?

A simple budget can be divided into five categories:

Before Departure

• Application expenses

• EEF fee

• Visa fee

• Document preparation

• Flight booking

Education

• Tuition or registration fees

• Study materials

• Other institution-specific charges

Accommodation

• Rent

• Deposit

• Utilities

• Housing insurance, where applicable

Daily Living

• Food

• Transportation

• Mobile services

• Personal expenses

Emergency Fund

Keep additional funds available for unexpected expenses.

This approach gives students a much more realistic picture than calculating only the visa fee.

What Should Indian Students Check Before Paying?

Before making any payment, verify:

1. Is your institution confirmed?

2. Does your application require the EEF procedure?

3. What is the current EEF fee?

4. What is the current visa fee?

5. Are VFS/service charges applicable?

6. Do you qualify for any exemption?

7. What financial resources must you demonstrate?

8. Are all your documents ready?

9. Are you using the official payment channel?

10. Have you checked the latest France-Visas instructions?

Campus France India specifically advises students to make EEF payments only after their file has been validated and through the official payment link provided to them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a France student visa cost for Indian students?

The indicative student visa fee for countries covered by the EEF procedure is €50. Indian students may also need to pay the EEF processing fee, which is ₹20,000 from 1 August 2026. Additional service charges may apply.

How much is the Campus France fee in India?

The Études en France fee is ₹20,000 from 1 August 2026, according to Campus France India.

Is the Campus France fee included in the France student visa fee?

No. The EEF processing fee and French visa application fee are separate charges.

Is the France student visa fee refundable?

Generally, no. France-Visas states that the administration retains the amount received even when a visa application is refused.

How much financial proof is required for a France student visa?

From 1 August 2026, students need to demonstrate minimum financial resources of €877.50 per month for a French student visa.

Is the France student visa fee the total cost of studying in France?

No. Students also need to budget for tuition, accommodation, food, transportation, travel, insurance, and other expenses.

Can scholarship students get a visa fee exemption?

Certain scholarship categories qualify for EEF and/or visa fee exemptions. The exact exemption depends on the scholarship category.

Is the France student visa fee the same in every country?

No. France-Visas currently lists different indicative tariffs depending on whether the applicant's country is covered by the EEF procedure.

Final Answer:

For an Indian student applying through the EEF procedure, the indicative France student visa fee is €50, while the Études en France fee is ₹20,000 from 1 August 2026. Visa center service charges and optional services may be additional.

Remember that the visa fee is only one part of your France study budget. You should also plan for tuition, accommodation, living expenses, travel, and the required financial resources.

EduBrain Overseas can be considered by students seeking guidance while planning their education journey, but applicants should always verify current visa fees and procedures through official French sources before making payments.