Programs > France

Study Abroad in France
Temporary Long Stay (Semester) Visa Information

NOTE: These visa requirements are for semester students only. Summer students, please see this page.

Please read this entire page very carefully.

In order to study in France, you must obtain a student visa. Semester students will need to apply for a Temporary Long Stay Visa. Students who plan to study in France for more than six months should contact their program manager for more information regarding the visa process.

Please read the following information in its entirety very carefully before beginning the application process; any errors will delay the visa application process. These instructions are for US citizens only. Citizens of other countries should contact the program manager for France for more information.

How to Apply for a Temporary Long Stay Visa for France

Step 1:

If you do not already have a passport, you should apply for one immediately. Refer to the U.S. Department of State website (http://travel.state.gov/passport) for instructions on how to apply for a passport. Your passport should be valid for at least three months past your scheduled return date from France to the U.S.

Step 2: As soon as you are accepted to the program

Visit http://www.usa.campusfrance.org/en/1.html, click on the link for Study Abroad Students, and follow the instructions to complete your CampusFrance online registration.
Determine the location of your local consulate. To determine which consulate you should use to apply for your visa, visit http://ambafrance-us.org/ and click on your region on the map. Keep in mind that you will be required to travel to the consulate to submit your visa application. Some consulates will allow students who attend school in their jurisdiction to apply through them. Others will only process applications for those who maintain official residency within their jurisdiction.
Review the instructions for a long stay visa on your consulate’s website, and contact your program manager with any questions.

Step 3: As soon as you receive your acceptance materials from Arcadia by mail

Send your AGSIRD acceptance letter and $60 money order for your registration fee to CampusFrance. These must be mailed together to:

CampusFrance – Embassy of France
4101 Reservoir Road
NW Washington, D.C. 20007

Note: CampusFrance does not accept personal checks, so you must send a money order. It is recommended that you include your CampusFrance ID number on the money order.

Step 4

Gather all the materials you will need to apply.

Download a long stay visa application form from your French Consulate’s website.

This must be fully completed, signed, and dated by you in black ink. You will need to complete two copies. You should also review the Student Visa/Permit Guides. If you are unsure of an answer, call your program manager and ask for advice. Do not guess on any question. Refer to guide below when completing your application:

1. Last name
2. First name
3. Gender
4.   Date of birth (day/month/year)
5.   Place of birth
6.   Country of birth
7.   Other names : maiden, alias, pseudonyms
8.   Present Nationality
9.   Nationality at birth
10. Type of travel document: passport, diplomatic or official passport
11. Passport number: found in upper-right corner of passport photo page
12. Nationality of travel document
13. Date (day/month/year) and place of issue of passport
14. Expiration date (day/month/year) of passport
15. Permanent address and phone number
16. Answer: full-time student
17. You should indicate that you are a student of Arcadia University

Arcadia University
450 South Easton Road
Glenside, PA 19038

18. Marital status
19. N/A for US citizens
20. N/A
21. Answer: Full-time study in a university study abroad program
22. Provide the address for the American Graduate School of International Relations and Diplomacy:

AGSIRD
101 Boulevard Raspail
75006 – Paris France

23. As a student, you are not permitted to work while in France. With that in mind, please answer: NO
24. Full-time study at the American Graduate School of International Relations and Diplomacy:

AGSIRD
101 Boulevard Raspail
75006 – Paris France

25. Answer: NO
26. Explain your financial means during your stay in France. Arcadia University recommends that you provide a notarized financial guarantee signed by your parent. If you are providing a notarized financial guarantee from your parents, answer: Parental Support and Arcadia University.
27. Do you have any relatives in France? If yes, please indicate their name, nationality, relationship, address and telephone number.
28. Do you have any sponsors in France? (contact or friend) If yes, please indicate their name, nationality, title, address and telephone number.
29. Have you ever spent more than three consecutive months in France ? If yes, what was the purpose and dates of your stay?Address?

All non-US citizens will need to contact the French Consulate to find out whether you need to complete a different version of this form. Please contact your program coordinator for information on how to contact the French Consulate.

Ask your parents to complete the Financial Guarantee form and be sure to have this notarized.
Complete the credit card authorization form for the $72 application fee.

The following is a checklist of the materials you will need to bring with you to your appointment at the French Consulate. Be sure to review the instructions on your French Consulate’s website to be sure that no additional forms are required.

CampusFrance confirmation email (+ one copy)
2 long stay visa application forms completed in black ink
2 photographs (follow instructions at http://www.consulfrance-washington.org/spip.php?article385)
Passport* (+ photocopy of first 5 pages)
Flight reservation: complete itinerary with confirmed dates (+ one copy)
Financial Guarantee signed by your parents and notarized (+ one copy)
Proof of Residency within the district where you plan to apply: phone bill or bank statement will suffice (+ one copy)
Credit card form for payment of $72 application fee (+ one copy)
Arcadia University Confirmation of Enrollment Letter (+ one copy)
Proof of HTH medical insurance letter (+ one copy)
Letter of Admission from AGSIRD (+ one copy)
For most French consulate procedures, students must complete an "OFII Residence Form" (+one copy)**
For academic year students only, you need to bring to France a certified birth certificate translated into French and a copy of your original birth certificate.
Any additional documentation required by the consulate where you are applying (review requirements at your consulate’s website carefully, and contact your program manager for documentation or assistance)

*Your passport must be valid three months beyond your intended date of departure from France.

** The OFII Residence Form will be processed and returned to you with your visa and passport. You must then bring this form to France and submit it to the local French authorities during the on-site immigration process.

Please note that all items in bold above will be provided to you by Arcadia University.

Step 5: 2-3 months prior to departure

Schedule your appointment with your local consulate for the earliest possible date, and make arrangements to travel in-person to the consulate to apply for your visa. Most consulates require that students submit an online appointment request. Most consulates require students or an authorized individual to drop off and pick up the student visa application and passport in person. The total processing time can be up to four weeks. Please refer to your consulate’s website for details on how to schedule an appointment, and contact your program manager with any questions.

Step 6:

Notify your program manager upon receipt of your visa. If you have not received your visa 4 weeks prior to departure, notify your program manager.

Important Visa Notes

Please read these important notes before completing your student visa application.

You must bring your actual passport to the French Consulate so that your visa can be physically attached to the inside of the passport.
The fee for US passport holders is $72. Please be advised that the French consulate reserves the right to alter this fee at any time.
It is advisable that you begin the application process as soon as possible, upon acceptance to your program.
Do not over-pack your application with multiple envelopes, extra documents, etc. This slows the processing time.

Once in France, students will need to comply with the requirements below. Please note that the staff in France will be able to assist you with these requirements.