France Student Visa for Nepali Students: Campus France & VLS-TS Guide (2026)

The French student visa for Nepali students is the Visa de Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour (VLS-TS) in the student category (VLS-TS étudiant). 'Long Stay Visa worth a Residence Permit' — this single document serves as both your entry visa and your first-year residence permit. You do not need to apply separately for a carte de séjour (residence permit) in your first year — the VLS-TS serves this function after OFII validation.

The VLS-TS allows: studying full-time at a French higher education institution, working up to 964 hours/year (approximately 20 hrs/week), remaining in France for up to 12 months. After the first year, renew your residence permit (titre de séjour étudiant) at your local prefecture. The prefecture issues an annual 1-year residence permit for each subsequent year of study.

France does not have a student visa in the traditional sense — the VLS-TS is your student status documentation. For stays beyond 12 months, you apply for annual renewal. Each renewal requires proof of enrollment (certificat de scolarité), progress in your studies, financial evidence, and accommodation proof.

The Campus France Nepal pre-procedure is mandatory for all Nepali students applying for a French student visa. Without a Campus France reference number, TLScontact will not accept your visa application. Start the Campus France process 8–10 months before your target October start.

Campus France process: (1) Register at nepal.campusfrance.org — create an account, complete your academic profile, upload transcripts, mark sheets, IELTS/DELF scores, and motivation letter. (2) Pay the Campus France fee (approximately €50). (3) Schedule and attend the mandatory advisory interview at Institut Français du Népal (IFN), 525 Lazimpat Road, Kathmandu. (4) Receive your Campus France reference number after the interview — this number is used in your visa application.

The Campus France interview typically takes 30–45 minutes. A Campus France advisor reviews your academic profile, chosen programs, and French language level. The interview is advisory, not selective — it helps confirm that your application is appropriate for the programs you've chosen. Prepare by: knowing your chosen programs and why, having IELTS or DELF scores ready, and being able to describe your academic background and career plans in France and Nepal.

Core documents: valid Nepali passport (at least 3 months validity beyond your intended stay), Campus France reference number, letter of admission from your French university (or Parcoursup/MonMaster final acceptance), evidence of tuition fees paid or scholarship letter, and two recent passport-sized photographs conforming to French biometric specifications.

Financial evidence: bank statements (3–6 months) showing €615/month available for living expenses (approximately €7,380 for a 12-month period). Family sponsor documents: sponsor bank statements, income proof, and sponsor letter if family is supporting you. Education loan sanction letter from Nepali bank. Scholarship award letter (Eiffel, Embassy, university) fully satisfies financial requirements.

Additional documents: DELF/DALF certificate for French-medium programs, or IELTS/TOEFL for English-medium programs. MoEST NOC from Nepal's Ministry of Education — apply immediately after receiving your university acceptance. Academic certificates from SLC through most recent qualification. Health and travel insurance valid for the full duration of stay. Accommodation proof for France (CROUS reservation letter, student housing confirmation, or private rental agreement).

French consulate requires evidence of €615/month (approximately €7,380/year) for living expenses. For a 2-year master's: demonstrate €14,760 accessible for living, plus tuition covered. Total financial evidence needed: approximately €20,000–22,000 for a 2-year program (living + €2,770/year tuition × 2). For a 3-year Licence: approximately €27,000–30,000 total.

Sources of financial evidence: personal or family bank statements showing 3–6 months of consistent balance. France does not require a blocked account (unlike Germany's Sperrkonto) — accessible funds in Nepali accounts are sufficient. Education loan approval letters, fixed deposit certificates, scholarship letters, and property ownership documents supporting financial security are all accepted.

Consistency is key: visa officers look for stable financial history, not a single large deposit made shortly before application. If your family has variable income (business income, rental income, seasonal agriculture), supplement bank statements with income certificates, property tax receipts, or an accountant's letter explaining income sources.

Step 1 (8–10 months before October start): Register on Campus France Nepal (nepal.campusfrance.org). Begin building your dossier — enter academic background, upload certificates, start working on motivation letter.

Step 2 (7–8 months before): Apply to French universities through Parcoursup (undergraduate) or MonMaster (postgraduate). Complete and submit applications with all required documents.

Step 3 (6–7 months before): Attend Campus France interview at IFN Kathmandu. Receive Campus France reference number. Apply for MoEST NOC at MoEST Nepal (Sano-Thimi, Bhaktapur). Processing: 2–4 weeks.

Step 4 (4–5 months before): Receive and accept university offer. Pay enrollment deposit or first-year tuition. Receive formal university acceptance letter.

Step 5 (3–4 months before): Book TLScontact appointment at TLScontact Nepal, Dillibazaar, Kathmandu. Prepare all visa documents. Submit visa application in person at TLScontact. Pay €50 visa fee. Biometrics collected at TLScontact.

Step 6 (2–3 months before): Receive visa decision — standard processing 3–6 weeks. Collect passport with VLS-TS visa from TLScontact. Book flights. Finalize accommodation (CROUS, student residence, or private flat).

After arrival in France (within 3 months): validate your VLS-TS at OFII (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration) online at administration.gouv.fr — submit the OFII form, pay the OFII tax (€200 for non-EU students), and undergo a medical visit. This validation activates your work rights and confirms your student residence status.

Within 3 months of arriving in France, validate your VLS-TS through the OFII online procedure at administration.gouv.fr. Pay the OFII tax stamp (€200 for students from non-EU countries). You will be invited to an OFII appointment for a medical check-up (tuberculosis screening, general health check — no vaccine requirements). After OFII validation, your VLS-TS is officially activated and your right to work 964 hours/year begins.

After Year 1, renew your titre de séjour étudiant at your local prefecture (prefecture.gouv.fr for online renewal — now available in most French departments). Required: current titre de séjour, enrollment certificate for next academic year (certificat de scolarité), proof of accommodation, proof of financial resources (bank statements or scholarship), and recent passport photos. Apply 2–3 months before your current permit expires.

After completing your French degree, apply for the APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) at your prefecture within 4 months of receiving your degree certificate. Required: degree certificate, current residence permit, accommodation proof, and financial resources. The APS gives 1 year of open work rights — extended to 2 years for STEM graduates. This is the critical transition step between student status and working resident status in France.