top of page

VISA & STAY

Find the right procedure for your situation—fast.
Four practical guides with check-lists and official links.

レベルチェック

Essential guides

Official links

Visas (choosing the right route)

  • Annex II — EU Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 — Full list of countries whose nationals are exempt from short-stay visas(≤ 90 days in any 180-day period).

👉 EUR-Lex (texte consolidé)

  • Campus France — Countries/territories covered by the “Études en France (EEF)” procedure. Check whether your country of residence goes via EEF.

👉 campusfrance.org

  • France-Visas — Visa Wizard (assistant) — Generate the official list of documents and the type of visa according to your nationality, residence and reason.

👉 france-visas.gouv.fr/visa-wizard

Staying in France (what to do after arrival)

  • Validate your VLS-TS online (ANEF / Service-Public) — Must be done within 3 months of arrival (includes paying the tax if applicable).

👉 service-public.fr — Valider un VLS-TS

  • Health insurance — ameli student portal. Free registration to student social security (PUMA/CPAM).

👉etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr

  • CAF — housing aid (simulator & online application). Check your entitlements and submit your claim.

👉caf.fr — simulateur logement

What EDAM provides

FAQ

Q1. Can I convert a short-stay (≤ 90 days) visa into a long-stay student visa in France?

Generally no. To study for over 90 days, you must apply for a VLS-TS in your country of residence, then validate it after arrival.
→ Ref. : France-Visas (assistant) · Validation VLS-TS (Service-Public)

Q2. I live in a third country—what decides whether I need to go through EEF?

It’s your country of residence that counts (not just nationality). Check the EEF list and follow the procedure indicated.
→ Ref. : Campus France — pays EEF

Q3. How many hours per week are needed for a long-stay student visa?

It depends on your consulate/prefecture’s requirements. We offer 10 h/week, 16 h/week, and 6–10 month tracks; where 20 h/week is required, we can combine 16 h in-person + 4 h e-learning.
→ Ref. : France-Visas — lignes directrices

Q4. What’s the very first step after arrival?

Validate your VLS-TS online within 3 months (and pay the tax if applicable). Without validation, you’re not in regular status and can’t travel freely in Schengen.
→ Ref. : Service-Public — Valider un VLS-TS

Q5. I already hold a French residence permit / I’m an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen — do I need a visa?

U/EEA/Swiss citizens do not need a visa; for stays over 3 months, they must still meet the conditions of stay (resources/insurance) and may apply for CAF/Navigo.
Holders of another French residence status can study; for a change of status, check with your prefecture.
→ Réf. : Service-Public — Étudiant européen · CAF — infos étudiants

bottom of page