What is Campus France?

Campus France is the official agency for international student mobility to France. For Indian students, the Études en France procedure is mandatory for most higher education courses. You register on the portal, choose up to 7 institutions, pay a procedure fee (about EUR 99), and attend a Campus France interview at the Mumbai or Delhi office (or virtual). The procedure ensures your applications reach French institutions through a verified channel and builds the file you will use later for the VLS-TS visa application.

Do I need to know French?

For English-taught grandes écoles master's (HEC, ESSEC, ESCP, EDHEC, INSEAD-adjacent) and many public university English-track master's, no — IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90+ is enough. For French-taught bachelor's, yes — typically DELF B2. For daily life in Paris, Lyon or Toulouse, A1/A2 French helps a lot. Most Nadiad students who go for English-taught programmes start A1/A2 classes in parallel through Alliance Française Ahmedabad or online platforms.

What is APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) in France?

APS is the post-study residence permit for international graduates of French higher education. It gives you 12 months to search for a job in your field of study, and under the India-France migration partnership Indian nationals can renew it once — up to 2 years in total. During that time you can work full-time in any role while you search for a permit-eligible position. Once you have a qualifying job offer, you switch to a regular salaried residence permit (carte de séjour salarié) and eventually settle. APS is granted to master's-level graduates; bachelor's is more conditional.

How much money do I need for a France student visa?

Approximately EUR 615 per month (about EUR 7,380 per year) is the funds threshold. Funds via FDs, savings, sanctioned education loan letter from a recognised Indian bank, or sponsor evidence with their tax returns. Most Nadiad files show 1.5 times the minimum to leave no doubt. The amount is reviewed periodically by the French government; confirm the current figure before locking funds.

Is public university tuition really only EUR 2,770 in France?

Officially yes — from 2019 the French government set non-EU master's tuition at EUR 2,770 per year and bachelor's at EUR 2,770. But several public universities use a local exemption to charge international students the same low fee that domestic students pay (around EUR 243 to EUR 380 per year). The exemption varies by university and program. Grandes Écoles are independent and charge their own (much higher) tuition — typically EUR 15,000 to EUR 50,000 per year.

What is OFII registration?

OFII (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration) is where you validate your VLS-TS Étudiant within 3 months of arrival in France. Validation is online through the OFII portal; you pay a fee of around EUR 50 and upload arrival documents. Without OFII validation your VLS-TS is not valid as a residence permit and you cannot leave and re-enter France. Missing the 3-month deadline is a serious problem — we brief carefully at pre-departure.

Can I work part-time in France as a student?

Yes. International students can work up to 964 hours per year (approximately 60% of full-time, or about 18-20 hours per week). Minimum wage in France is EUR 11.65 per hour as of 2024. Many Nadiad students cover their rent and personal expenses through part-time work in restaurants, retail, or campus jobs. Working over the 964-hour cap is a visa breach.

How long does a France student visa take from Nadiad?

Most decisions arrive in 2 to 4 weeks from the VFS France appointment in Mumbai. Profiles with prior travel history and clean financials sometimes decide in 10 to 14 days. The Campus France procedure that precedes the visa adds 4 to 8 weeks (registration, interview, university acceptance). Total elapsed time from Nadiad walk-in to visa-in-hand is typically 3 to 5 months.

Where do I attend the Campus France interview?

Campus France India runs interviews at offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Pondicherry and Kolkata, plus virtual interviews. For Nadiad students, Mumbai is the typical choice — about 8 to 10 hours by train or road. Virtual interviews are available and increasingly common. We book the slot and run 2 to 3 mock rounds before the actual interview.

What is the visa fee for France?

VLS-TS Étudiant long-stay visa fee is approximately EUR 50. Plus VFS service charge (EUR 30) and biometric fee (EUR 12). Total out-of-pocket is roughly EUR 100. Plus the Campus France procedure fee (EUR 99), tuition deposit if applicable, and OFII validation fee on arrival (around EUR 50). Visa fee is reviewed periodically; confirm with our team.

Will my SPU degree be recognised in France?

Yes. SPU is UGC-recognised and accepted by French universities for master's admission. Campus France runs an academic equivalence check during the procedure. Grandes Écoles sometimes ask for a 65% or 70% minimum (roughly 6.5 to 7.0 CGPA) and may require additional documents like syllabus copies. Public universities accept Indian engineering bachelors at face value once Campus France validates the dossier.

Can I bring my spouse on a France student visa?

Spouse and children can apply through the family reunification procedure, but typically only after you have completed at least 12 months in France with stable accommodation and income evidence. For 1-year master's programmes, this is impractical. For 2-year programmes or PhD, it becomes feasible from the second year. We brief realistically based on your specific course length and family situation.

AEOC Nadiad — France Desk

France Student Visa Consultants in Nadiad

France's grandes écoles and English-taught master's programmes have steadily pulled Charotar students who want a serious European credential without paying UK or US tuition. Our Nadiad office runs the Campus France procedure cleanly, then files VLS-TS Étudiant from there.

Book Free Counseling Session Call +91 62 6262 1999

Free counselling — no obligation

Get a callback from our Nadiad team

France files (2024)

92%

First-attempt approval rate

Always

Campus France procedure

Included

APS post-study guidance

Why Kheda district students pick our Nadiad branch for France

Campus France procedure run end-to-end

France requires the Études en France procedure for Indian students — university apps, interview, validation. We run the whole sequence from our Nadiad office, no hand-offs.

Funds proof of EUR 615 per month

Approximately EUR 7,380 per year (EUR 615 monthly) is the funds threshold. We assemble FDs, sanctioned loan letter and parent ITR in the format the French Consulate accepts.

English-taught master's vs French programs

Most BVM and CHARUSAT students target English-taught Grandes Écoles master's at HEC, ESSEC, ESCP, EDHEC, or engineering programmes at Centrale, INSA, ENSAM. We map this against IELTS and any French A2/B1.

Fall (Sep) intake the priority

September is the dominant intake. January is a smaller second intake, mostly for Bachelor programs. We start 9 to 12 months before September.

OFII registration explained before flight

Within 3 months of arrival you must validate your VLS-TS through OFII. We brief this clearly in pre-departure so you do not miss the deadline.

Alumni in Paris, Lyon, Toulouse and Nice

Smaller France cohort than our Canada or UK streams but tightly connected. Alumni mentor introduced for housing (CROUS, ImmoJeune), CAF housing aid and SNCF Carte Jeune.

What our Nadiad France desk handles end-to-end

Campus France procedure (Études en France)

Campus France is the official channel through which Indian students apply to French higher education institutions. The Études en France procedure is mandatory for most courses — registration on the portal, choosing up to 7 institutions, paying the procedure fee, attending a Campus France interview at the Mumbai or Delhi office (or virtual).

Procedure fee is approximately EUR 99. Interview is held in English (or French if your program is French-taught) and assesses your motivation, course choice and language readiness. We prepare you for the interview at our Nadiad office.

Visa fees and policy thresholds are reviewed periodically. Confirm current figures with our team before any payment.

University and grandes écoles shortlisting

Public universities: Sorbonne, Sciences Po, Paris-Saclay, PSL, Aix-Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse. Grandes Écoles for engineering: Centrale (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Nantes), INSA (Lyon, Toulouse, Rennes), ENSAM, École des Ponts. Business: HEC Paris, ESSEC, ESCP, EDHEC, EMLYON, Grenoble Ecole de Management.

Public university tuition is comparatively low (EUR 2,770 for master's per year for non-EU students from 2019 onwards, though some universities still charge EUR 243-380 per year due to local exemptions). Grandes Écoles charge EUR 15,000-EUR 50,000 depending on program.

Funds, language and visa application

Funds requirement is approximately EUR 615 per month (about EUR 7,380 per year). Funds via FDs, savings, sanctioned education loan letter or sponsor evidence with their tax returns.

Language: English-taught grandes écoles and master's programmes accept IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90+. French-taught bachelor's typically need DELF B2 or DALF C1. Many of our Nadiad students start A1/A2 French in parallel because daily life in Paris or Lyon is easier with basic French.

VLS-TS Étudiant long-stay visa

Once Campus France procedure is validated and you have an admission acceptance, you apply for the VLS-TS Étudiant (long-stay student visa, valid for the academic year). Application via the France-Visas portal; appointment at VFS France in Mumbai for biometrics and document submission.

Documents: passport, photographs, Campus France acceptance letter, university admission letter, fees-paid receipt, EUR 615 per month funds proof, accommodation proof (CROUS, private rental or hostel), health insurance, OFII form. Standard processing 2 to 4 weeks.

OFII, post-study APS and PR

Within 3 months of arrival in France you must validate your VLS-TS through OFII (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration). Validation is online through the OFII portal; fee is around EUR 50. Without OFII validation your visa is not valid as a residence permit.

Post-study: APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) for 12 months job search after completing your master's — and under the India-France migration partnership Indian nationals can renew it once, for up to 2 years in total. Once you find a qualifying job in your field you can switch to a residence permit for salaried activity (carte de séjour salarié). PR pathway is gradual but reachable for engineers and IT specialists.

Visit our Nadiad branch

Drop by during business hours, or book a slot to skip the wait.

Address

4th Floor, Tulsi Landmark, Opposite Kidney Hospital, Petlad Road, Nadiad, Kheda, Gujarat 387001

Kheda District, Gujarat 387001

Phone

+91 62 6262 1999

hello@aeoc.in

Hours

Mon–Sat 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Get directions

Nearby landmarks

Kidney Hospital
Tulsi Landmark
IRMA
ITI Nadiad
Nadiad Junction Railway Station

How a France file moves through our Nadiad branch

1
Free counselling at Nadiad office
Marksheets, IELTS or TOEFL score, French level (if any), budget. We sketch English-taught vs French-taught, intake (Sep), grandes écoles vs public universities in 30 to 45 minutes.
2
Campus France registration
Études en France portal registration. Up to 7 institutions chosen, motivation letter and CV in English (or French) drafted in two rounds.
3
Campus France interview
Interview at Mumbai or Delhi (or virtual). We prepare you across 2 to 3 mock rounds covering motivation, course choice, language, post-study plan.
4
University admission and acceptance
Admissions arrive via Campus France. You accept one offer; tuition deposit paid where required.
5
Funds, accommodation and SOP
EUR 615 per month funds dossier, CROUS or private accommodation booked, SOP and CV polished. Health insurance arranged.
6
VLS-TS application and biometrics
France-Visas portal application; appointment at VFS France Mumbai. Document file submitted, biometrics taken.
7
Decision, pre-departure and OFII
Decision in 2 to 4 weeks typically. Pre-departure session covers OFII validation, CAF, bank account, SNCF Carte Jeune, accommodation collection. Alumni mentor introduced before flight.

Recent France outcomes from the Nadiad branch

“I had IELTS 7.0 and a 7.8 CGPA from BVM. They suggested INSA Lyon over a public Sorbonne master's because INSA's industry tie-ups are sharper. Campus France interview prepared in 3 mock rounds. Visa cleared in 18 days.”

Aaditya P., Nadiad

INSA Lyon, MSc Mechanical Engineering, Sep 2024

“Public university route at Aix-Marseille — affordable tuition was the goal. They walked me through the Campus France procedure step by step. Visa approved cleanly.”

Khushali S., Mahudha

Aix-Marseille Université, MSc Bio-engineering, Sep 2024

“I was nervous about the Campus France interview because my French is only A1. They told me to be honest about it and focus on my motivation. The interviewer accepted it because my program is English-taught at EDHEC.”

Priya V., Kapadvanj

EDHEC Business School, MSc Finance, Sep 2024

France files (2024)

92%

First-attempt approval rate

Grandes écoles admits

3 weeks

Average decision time

France student visa questions Nadiad parents and students ask

Related pages and country guides

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Study in France — Country Guide

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Start your France VLS-TS Étudiant from Nadiad

Walk into our Nadiad office for a free 30-minute counselling. Bring marksheets and any IELTS or TOEFL score — we will sketch Campus France procedure, English-taught vs French-taught, grandes écoles vs public universities in one sitting.

Start Your France Application