VLS-TS Visa: Long-Stay Student Visa Explained

How to apply for, validate, and renew your VLS-TS visa for France

⏳Read Time:

7 minutes

📅 Last Updated:

07.04.2025

A young international student applying for the VLS-TS visa for France.

🔎 Recap

Short on time? No problem! Here’s the key info about the VLS-TS visa:

Unique rights and benefits: The VLS-TS allows you to stay in France for 4 months to 1 year to pursue higher education. Study in France, work up to 20 hours per week, travel freely within the Schengen Area, and access benefits like Visale and APL. Step-by-step process: Prepare your documents, submit your application (via Études en France or your consulate), and validate your visa online with OFII within 3 months of arrival. Simplified renewal process: Extend your stay with a temporary residence permit (valid for 1 year) or a multi-year residence permit (valid for 2 to 4 years) by demonstrating a serious academic path and sufficient resources (at least €615 per month). Plan ahead: Start your application well in advance and respect deadlines for renewals (4 to 2 months before expiration) to avoid administrative issues.

Introduction

Are you planning to study in France for more than three months? The Long-Stay Visa as a Residence Permit (VLS-TS) is one of the options available to you. If you’re not a citizen of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, this is likely the visa you’ll need.

The VLS-TS student visa offers you numerous rights and opportunities throughout your stay in France, including the flexibility to travel freely across the Schengen Area.

In this article, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about this visa: its benefits, how to apply, the validation process, and the steps for renewal.

Ready? Let’s get started! 😊

What is the VLS-TS Student Visa?

What the VLS-TS Student Visa Allows You to Do

The VLS-TS student visa is a long-term visa that allows you to pursue higher education in France for 4 months to 1 year. It replaces the temporary residence permit during your first year. With a VLS-TS labeled "student," you can:

  • Study legally at a French higher education institution.
  • Work part-time: up to 964 hours per year (around 20 hours per week).
  • Travel freely within the Schengen Area.
  • Access benefits like APL (housing allowance) or the free Visale rental guarantee.

When your visa expires, you can apply for either:

  • A temporary residence permit (1 year), or
  • A multi-year residence permit (2 to 4 years).

Multiple-Entry Benefits

With a multiple-entry VLS-TS, you can travel outside France. This is particularly useful if you want to explore neighboring countries during your study year in France!

Note: After the first three months, you must validate your visa to continue traveling freely. The validation process is now fully online, through the OFII platform.

Start planning your stay in France with the Student Hub 🙌

Find housing, connect with other international students, and get all the essentials — for free!

Eligibility Criteria for the VLS-TS Student Visa

Who Can Apply?

The VLS-TS student visa is available to:

  • Students accepted at a French higher education institution for a program of at least three months.
  • Students who can demonstrate sufficient financial resources (€615/month minimum).
  • Applicants with health insurance coverage or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for European citizens.

Simplified Procedure for Certain Countries

Études en France: If you live in one of the countries covered by this procedure, your admission and visa application are centralized through the official Études en France platform.

For other countries: Applications are made directly through the French consulate in your country of residence.

Countries Covered by Études en France

🌍 AFRICA
South Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Mauritania, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Chad, Togo.

🌏 ASIA
Myanmar, Cambodia, China, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.

🌎 AMERICAS
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, United States, Haiti, Mexico, Peru, Dominican Republic.

🌍 NORTH AFRICA / MIDDLE EAST
Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Tunisia.

🌍 EUROPE
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, United Kingdom, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine.

Our Tip: Use the Visa Assistant tool on the France Visas website to check if you need a visa.

How to Apply for the VLS-TS Student Visa

Step 1: Prepare the Required Documents

Make sure you have the following documents ready:

  • A valid passport (valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay).
  • An acceptance letter from a French institution.
  • Proof of sufficient financial resources (bank statements, scholarship confirmation, etc.).
  • Proof of accommodation (rental contract, letter from a host, or booking in a student residence).
  • Health insurance coverage or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Step 2: Submit Your Application

  • For countries using Études en France: Your application will be processed through the centralized platform.
  • For other countries: Book an appointment with the French consulate in your home country.

Step 3: Processing Time and Fees

  • Processing time: 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the time of year and your country.
  • Application fees: Between €50 and €99, depending on bilateral agreements.

Validating Your VLS-TS with OFII

Why Validation Is Mandatory

Without validation from OFII, your visa will become invalid after three months. Completing this step is essential to legally stay in France. The good news? The entire process is quick and fully online ✌️

Step-by-Step Guide to Validate Your Visa

  1. Go to the OFII website.
  2. Fill out the online form with your details (arrival date, address, etc.).
  3. Pay the OFII tax (€50) via credit card or using an electronic stamp.
  4. If requested, attend a medical examination at the local prefecture.

Rights and Obligations with the VLS-TS Student Visa

Your Rights

  • Study in France without additional formalities during your first year.
  • Work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) without needing a work permit.
  • Travel freely within the Schengen Area.
  • Access social benefits like APL (housing assistance).

Your Obligations

  • Validate your visa with OFII within three months of arriving in France.
  • Renew your residence permit if you plan to extend your studies.

Renewing Your VLS-TS: What You Need to Know

When your VLS-TS is about to expire, you have two options to extend your stay:

  1. Apply for a temporary residence permit (valid for 1 year).
  2. Apply for a multi-year residence permit (valid for 2 to 4 years).

These options are available to students pursuing higher education in France who do not hold another residence permit (such as a resident card or family-related permit).

Conditions for Renewal

  • Mandatory enrollment: You must be enrolled or pre-enrolled in a French higher education institution (university, grande école, or professional training center).
  • Financial resources: You must prove you have at least €615 per month to support yourself. This requirement may be waived if you’re attending an institution with a state agreement.

Renewal Process

  • Apply for renewal 4 to 2 months before your visa or permit expires.
  • Complete the process online via the official administration portal:
    • You’ll receive a digital acknowledgment of receipt upon submission.
    • Track your application status and respond to additional requests online.
    • If required, visit the prefecture for fingerprinting (if not already done).

Documents Required for Renewal

Here’s what you’ll need to submit:

  • Your current VLS-TS or valid residence permit.
  • Proof of address (less than six months old).
  • A compliant digital photo (e-photo with a code).
  • Proof of enrollment or pre-enrollment in a French higher education institution.
  • Academic records: transcripts, your most recent diploma earned in France, and a certificate of achievement.
  • Proof of financial resources (€615 per month minimum): Scholarship documentation, pay slips, transfers from a sponsor, or sufficient savings.
  • A signed commitment to uphold the principles of the French Republic.

Fees and Deadlines

  • Fee: €75 (tax and stamp duty).
  • Late application penalty: €180 regularization fee, unless you can prove force majeure.

Validity of the New Permit

  • The multi-year residence permit aligns with the remaining duration of your academic program.
  • Example: If you’re in your first year of a bachelor's program, the permit will be valid for two years, covering the remainder of your degree.
  • For grande école students, the permit lasts until the completion of your program (e.g., engineering degree).

Conclusion

Navigating the French immigration process can be challenging, and the VLS-TS is no exception. Preparing early and organizing your documents in advance will save you from unnecessary stress.

Resources like Campus France and France Visas are invaluable in helping you through this process. If you have additional questions or need support, our community is here to guide you! 😊

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🔎 Sources:

Frequently

Asked Questions

Find answers to your most common questions about the VLS-TS visa for France.

Who Can Apply for a VLS-TS Student Visa?

This visa is designed for non-European international students who have been accepted into a higher education program in France lasting at least 3 months.

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources (€615/month) and have health insurance coverage.

How Long Does It Take to Obtain a VLS-TS?

Processing times generally range from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the time of year and your country of residence 😉

How Do I Validate My VLS-TS Upon Arriving in France?

You must validate your visa within 3 months of your arrival via the OFII website. This step is mandatory to ensure your visa remains valid beyond this period.

Can I Work in France With a VLS-TS Student Visa?

Yes, the VLS-TS allows you to work up to 964 hours per year (about 20 hours/week) without requiring an additional work permit.

It also allows you to travel within the Schengen Area, and to access support like housing assistance (APL) or the free rent guarantee service (VISALE)—options not available with the VLS-T visa.

What Should I Do if My VLS-TS Expires Before I Complete My Studies?

You can apply to renew your residence permit. There are two options: a temporary student residence permit (valid for 1 year) or a multi-year student residence permit (valid for 2 to 4 years), depending on the length of your study program.

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