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 the 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 for the VLS-TS visa application.

Do I need to know French?

For English-taught grandes écoles master's (HEC, ESSEC, ESCP, EDHEC) 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 VV Nagar students who go for English-taught programmes start A1/A2 classes in parallel through Alliance Française Ahmedabad or online platforms like Babbel and Pen and Pages.

What is APS in France post-study?

APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) 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 VV Nagar 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.

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 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 as a student in France?

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 VV Nagar 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 VV Nagar?

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 VV Nagar 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 VV Nagar 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 or CHARUSAT degree be recognised in France?

Yes. SPU and CHARUSAT are 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 Vallabh Vidyanagar — France Desk

France Student Visa Consultants in Vallabh Vidyanagar

BVM and CHARUSAT graduates aiming at INSA Lyon, Centrale, ENSAM or HEC Paris come to our VV Nagar branch for the full Campus France sequence. The Études en France procedure is exacting — we run it line by line, then file the VLS-TS Étudiant in calm sequence.

Book Free Counseling Session Call +91 97 9797 9322

Free counselling — no obligation

Get a callback from our Vallabh Vidyanagar team

France files (2024)

93%

First-attempt approval rate

Grandes écoles admits (2024)

2-3 mock rounds

Campus France interview prep

Why SPU and CHARUSAT graduates choose VV Nagar for France

Grandes écoles strategy for engineering

INSA Lyon, Centrale (Paris, Lyon, Lille), ENSAM, École des Ponts for engineering. HEC Paris, ESSEC, ESCP, EDHEC, Grenoble EM for business. We map admit chances honestly against your CGPA.

Campus France procedure run end-to-end

France requires the Études en France procedure for Indian students. We handle portal registration, motivation letters, interview prep and university communication from the VV Nagar office.

EUR 615 monthly funds proof done cleanly

Approximately EUR 7,380 per year. We assemble FDs, sanctioned loan letter and parent ITR in the format the French Consulate expects — no document gaps.

Fall (Sep) intake the focus

September is the dominant intake. We work backwards 9 to 12 months so Campus France procedure, applications and visa never compress.

Public universities for cost-aware families

EUR 2,770 per year tuition (or EUR 243-380 with local exemptions) at many public universities. Affordable European master's for families who can't fund grandes écoles tuition.

Alumni in Paris, Lyon and Toulouse

VV Nagar 2018-2024 cohort spans 11 French institutions. Alumni mentor introduced for housing (CROUS, ImmoJeune), CAF housing aid and SNCF Carte Jeune.

What our VV Nagar France desk handles end-to-end

Campus France procedure (Études en France)

Études en France is mandatory for most Indian students applying to French higher education. Registration on the portal, choosing up to 7 institutions, paying the procedure fee (around EUR 99), attending the Campus France interview at Mumbai or Delhi (or virtual).

Interview is in English (or French for French-taught programmes) and assesses motivation, course choice and language readiness. We run 2 to 3 mock rounds before the actual interview at our VV Nagar office.

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

Grandes Écoles and university shortlisting

Engineering Grandes Écoles: INSA (Lyon, Toulouse, Rennes, Strasbourg), Centrale (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Nantes), ENSAM, École des Ponts ParisTech, École Polytechnique, Mines ParisTech.

Business Grandes Écoles: HEC Paris, ESSEC, ESCP, EDHEC, EMLYON, Grenoble Ecole de Management, Audencia, NEOMA, KEDGE.

Public Universities: Sorbonne, Sciences Po, Paris-Saclay, PSL, Aix-Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Strasbourg.

Public university tuition is approximately EUR 2,770 per year for non-EU master's (with some universities exempting and charging EUR 243-380). 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 (EUR 7,380 per year). Funds via FDs, savings, sanctioned education loan letter (SBI, BoB, Avanse, HDFC Credila) 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 VV Nagar engineering students start A1/A2 French in parallel through Alliance Française Ahmedabad.

VLS-TS Étudiant

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 submission.

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

OFII, post-study APS and PR

Within 3 months of arrival you must validate VLS-TS through OFII. Validation is online; fee 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 master's — renewable once for Indian nationals under the India-France migration partnership, up to 2 years in total. Once you find a qualifying job in your field, switch to a salaried residence permit. Long-term PR pathway is gradual but reachable for engineers and IT specialists.

Visit our Vallabh Vidyanagar branch

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

Address

4th Floor, Radhasoami Samipya, Opposite Home Science College, Patel Society, Mota Bazaar, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand, Gujarat 388120

Anand District, Gujarat 388120

Phone

+91 97 9797 9322

hello@aeoc.in

Hours

Mon–Sat 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Get directions

Nearby landmarks

Home Science College
Radhasoami Samipya
Sardar Patel University
BVM Engineering College
VV Nagar bus stand

How a France file moves through our VV Nagar branch

1
Free counselling at VV Nagar office
Marksheets, IELTS or TOEFL, 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
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 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 VV Nagar branch

“BVM Mechanical, 7.9 CGPA. 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 16 days.”

Krunal P., Vallabh Vidyanagar

INSA Lyon, MSc Energy Systems, Sep 2024

“I aimed at HEC Paris MIM and was nervous about the Campus France interview. The team focused on my actual motivation and the GMAT score I had. Got HEC, visa came through in 3 weeks.”

Niharika S., Anand

HEC Paris, Master in Management, Sep 2024

“Public university route at Université Paris-Saclay for affordability. CHARUSAT Computer Engineering, 7.4 CGPA. They handled the Campus France procedure step by step. Visa approved cleanly.”

Devansh M., Petlad

Université Paris-Saclay, MSc Computer Science, Sep 2024

France files (2024)

93%

First-attempt approval rate

Grandes écoles admits

3 weeks

Average decision time

France student visa questions VV Nagar students ask

Related pages and country guides

France Student Visa — Nadiad

Same France desk, our Nadiad head office

Study in France — Country Guide

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Ireland Student Visa in Vallabh Vidyanagar

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Visa Consultancy in Vallabh Vidyanagar

All-country visa filing from our VV Nagar office

Start your France VLS-TS Étudiant from Vallabh Vidyanagar

Walk into our VV Nagar 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