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The threshold rose on 1 August 2026 — this site shows the current figure

France
student visa (VLS-TS)

Enrolment through Campus France plus proven means — but the threshold rose by nearly half on 1 August 2026, and many agency sites still show the old, lower figure.

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Funds from
€877.50/mo
Time to status
2.5–4.5 mo.
Right to work
964 hrs/yr (~20 hrs/wk)
Stay requirement
for the duration of studies

The threshold rose on 1 August 2026

Before that date, the threshold was €615/month — some sources and agencies still show it. The current figure is €877.50/month, 47% of gross SMIC.

PERIOD
AMOUNT
WHAT TO KNOW
From 1 August 2026
AMOUNT€877.50/mo = €10,530/yr
The current threshold, 47% of gross SMIC.
Before 1 August 2026 (outdated)
AMOUNT€615/mo = €7,380/yr
Some agency sites still show this figure — use the current one when filing.

What the full cost consists of

Beyond the Campus France and consular fees, a stamp duty is due after entry when validating the visa through OFII.

COST ITEM
RATE
APPLIES TO
Campus France fee
RATE€50–200
depends on the filing country
VLS-TS consular fee (EEA countries)
RATE€50
per applicant
VLS-TS consular fee (non-EEA)
RATE€99
per applicant
OFII validation stamp duty
RATE€60
per applicant, after entry

How the process runs

01
Enrolment and Études en France
Admission to an accredited institution, creating a Campus France account, uploading documents, paying the fee — 3–6 weeks.
02
Filing at the consulate
After Campus France approval — an interview if requested, visa review 2–8 weeks.
03
Receiving the VLS-TS visa
The visa functions as the residence permit for the first year.
04
OFII validation
Within 3 months of entry — mandatory; without it the status is considered invalid.
05
Renewal
Annually while studies continue — a new confirmation of enrolment and funds each time.

A good fit if

You have an enrolment offer or a real plan to apply to a French institution.
You can document €877.50/month — bank statements, a blocked account, a scholarship, or a sponsor letter.
A part-time work cap of 964 hours a year (roughly 20 hours a week) works for you.
You are ready to complete the mandatory OFII validation within 3 months of entry.

A poor fit if

You are budgeting for the old €615/month threshold — as of 1 August 2026 the current figure is nearly half again as high.
You have no genuine enrolment — without it Campus France will not advance the application.
You plan to work full-time while studying.
You miss the 3-month OFII validation window — your status can end up in question.

Who runs this programme

Your request goes to two or three firms from this list. You see exactly which ones before it is sent, and you can exclude any of them.

No matching firms in the directory for this category yet — the list is curated by hand and grows over time.

This is an independent list of firms in the market, not our partners — we do not forward requests to them or receive payment for referrals. Contact them directly via the link.

Frequent questions

Why does this site show €877.50 and not €615, like many others?

The threshold rose on 1 August 2026. Many agency and information sites have not updated the figure — as of this check (26 Aug 2026) the current value is already 42% higher.

What is Campus France, and is it mandatory?

A mandatory platform for most countries — it confirms your enrolment and builds your file before the consular visa application. This step cannot be skipped where required.

How much can you work while studying?

Up to 964 hours a year — roughly 20 hours a week averaged over the year, though hours can be distributed unevenly.

What happens if you miss the OFII validation deadline?

The VLS-TS visa only functions as a residence permit after validation through the OFII portal within 3 months of entry — without it the status is considered invalid.

Does this visa lead to permanent residence or citizenship?

No automatic direct path — naturalisation is a separate question requiring a separate basis after a status change.

Do fees differ by nationality?

Yes — €50 for EEA nationals, €99 for everyone else, plus a separate Campus France fee (€50–200 depending on the filing country) and the €60 OFII stamp duty after entry.

Sources

Schiller International University — detailed breakdown of the 2026 threshold and the 1 August increase↗Campus France — the official platform for filing documents↗

Figures are for reference only. Verified against official sources on 26 August 2026. A precise quote is issued by the appointed firm after document review. This material is not legal advice, a public offer or investment advice.