France student visa: the official document checklist

In short: the Long-stay student visa (VLS-TS etudiant), via Etudes en France / Campus France Pakistan for France asks for 16 documents from every applicant, and 4 more when they apply to you. This list follows the official checklist the France mission publishes for applicants in Pakistan, read on 16 October 2026. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Where applicants in Pakistan submit: First finish the Etudes en France / Campus France Pakistan process. Then fill the France-Visas form and get an appointment from AEG (by e-mail or in person; not by phone). Submit at AEG in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Sialkot or Multan (or a Leopard collection point). Biometrics and interview are at the French Embassy in Islamabad via the diplomatic shuttle at G-5.

Photo: 3 recent passport-size ID photographs; AEG refers to the ICAO / France-Visas photo requirements.

Passport: Original passport valid for the study period and for at least 15 months from the beginning of the academic programme, plus all previous passports.

Documents every applicant needs (16)

• Etudes en France (EEF) certificate, Campus France receipt and Campus France pre-enrolment attestation letter
  Needed before booking. Printed: online EEF registration and a PKR 30,000 bank deposit showing your full name and EEF application number. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Passport (original) and copy of all pages
  Valid for the study period and for at least 15 months from the beginning of the academic programme; 1 set of copies of all passport pages. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• All previous passports
  Originals. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Original NIC (current)
  Original. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Recent passport-size ID photographs
  3 photos; ICAO/France-Visas photo standard. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• France-Visas application form
  Finalised online on france-visas.gouv.fr; 2 copies. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Letter of acceptance / admission confirmation letter When: Campus France lists the copy as needed for direct admission.
  1 copy. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Financial proof: personal bank statement When: Unless a guarantor or scholarship covers you.
  Last 6 months. Printed: a minimum of 877.5 euros per month is required to cover your expenses in France. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• CV
  All academic and professional experience with precise start and end dates. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Cover letter / motivation letter
  1 copy, with clearly stated motivation. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Academic transcripts (SSC, HSSC, Bachelor's/Master's if applicable)
  Originals and copies as required by Campus France Pakistan, 1 per document. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• All previous degrees and other education documents (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Family Registration Certificate (FRC) issued by NADRA (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• OFII form
  Upper half fully completed. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Travel insurance policy
  Printed: at least 30,000 euro cover, from the embassy's approved insurer list; electronic Schengen policy that mentions 'Schengen Visa Insurance Policy'. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• AEG receipts and consulate processing fees
  AEG service charges paid in cash at AEG centres; consulate fees paid at the consulate. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Documents that depend on your situation (4)

• Guarantor's affidavit and guarantor's bank statement When: If a guarantor pays instead of you.
  Guarantor's bank statement for the last 6 months. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Guarantor's ID When: If a guarantor pays.
  Copy. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Scholarship confirmation letter When: If you have a scholarship. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Accommodation certificate When: Only if available.
  Must show your name, address and start/end dates. If a private person hosts you: letter of invitation, a utility bill as proof of address and a copy of that person's ID. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

If you apply from another country

Each mission publishes its own list. What the official checklist for applicants in these countries adds or says differently:

Applying from Bangladesh

Campus France Bangladesh (office in Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, Dhanmondi) then the visa section of the French Embassy in Dhaka. From 1 October 2026 students start on the Etudes en France platform. Visa file must follow the French Embassy in Dhaka's published list. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

• Etudes en France application and Campus France Bangladesh interview (Required)
  From 1 October 2026 use the Etudes en France platform. The Campus France Bangladesh interview must be completed before the visa application. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Getting your papers ready in Bangladesh

Applying from China

Campus France China ('Études en France' procedure, compulsory for a long-stay student visa over 3 months) then the French consulates in China via TLScontact. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Getting your papers ready in China

Applying from India

Campus France India (Etudes en France procedure) first, then France-Visas online form and an appointment at VFS Global India. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

• Etudes en France (EEF) validation and Campus France interview (Required) When: For a long-stay student visa (not needed for a short-stay visa under 90 days).
  Mandatory first step. Submit as soon as you get an unconditional acceptance letter and at least three months before the intake date. Upload academic records, language skills, CV + SOP; pay the Campus France fee after validation; attend the academic interview in person with originals of all documents. Campus France does not issue any NOC. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• VFS appointment (Required)
  Book the VFS appointment only after receiving the automated Campus France email saying you can proceed to VFS. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Proof of financial resources (Required)
  As printed: effective 1 August 2026, the minimum proof of financial resources is 877,5€/month. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Applying from Malaysia

French Embassy Kuala Lumpur (consular section); long-stay student visa after admission. Campus France Malaysia runs the online 'Études en France' platform. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Getting your papers ready in Malaysia

Applying from Nepal

Nepal is on the Campus France "Etudes en France" list. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

• "Etudes en France" procedure (Campus France) (If it applies to you) When: You live in Nepal, which is on Campus France's list of 75 countries and territories using the "Etudes en France" procedure. Not needed for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals or for doctoral enrolment.
  Create a file on the Etudes en France online platform, which manages enrolment up to the visa request; a fee is charged for this assistance. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Applying from Nigeria

Nigeria is on the Campus France "Etudes en France" list: enrolment and the visa request go through Campus France Nigeria and the Etudes en France platform. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

• "Etudes en France" procedure (Campus France) (If it applies to you) When: You live in Nigeria, which is on Campus France's list of 75 countries and territories using the "Etudes en France" procedure. Not needed for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals or for doctoral enrolment.
  Create a file on the Etudes en France online platform, which manages enrolment up to the visa request; a fee is charged for this assistance. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Getting your papers ready in Nigeria

Applying from Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is on the Campus France "Etudes en France" list. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

• "Etudes en France" procedure (Campus France) (If it applies to you) When: You live in Saudi Arabia, which is on Campus France's list of 75 countries and territories using the "Etudes en France" procedure. Not needed for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals or for doctoral enrolment.
  Create a file on the Etudes en France online platform, which manages enrolment up to the visa request; a fee is charged for this assistance. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Getting your papers ready in Saudi Arabia

Applying from Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is NOT on the Campus France "Etudes en France" list, so that procedure does not apply; apply for the long-stay student visa directly. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Applying from United Arab Emirates

The UAE is on the Campus France "Etudes en France" list. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

• "Etudes en France" procedure (Campus France) (If it applies to you) When: You live in the United Arab Emirates, which is on Campus France's list of 75 countries and territories using the "Etudes en France" procedure. Not needed for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals or for doctoral enrolment.
  Create a file on the Etudes en France online platform, which manages enrolment up to the visa request; a fee is charged for this assistance. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Getting your papers ready in United Arab Emirates

Applying from United Kingdom

Consulate of France in London; 'Études en France' via Campus France UK is mandatory for students accepted onto French higher education, then France-Visas and a TLScontact appointment (London, Manchester or Edinburgh), from 6 months to 15 days before departure. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

• EEF certificate (Études en France, Campus France UK) (Required) When: Accepted into a French higher-education programme and applying in London (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Proof of legal residence in the UK (If it applies to you) When: Applicant is not British
  E.g. biometric residence permit or share code (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• A CV (Required) (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Proof of accommodation (Required)
  First 3 weeks (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Proof of financial means of support (Required)
  615 x months (as printed in the Campus France UK 2026 guide) (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Getting your papers ready in United Kingdom

Applying from United States

Campus France USA 'Études en France' pre-consular application is mandatory for programmes of 90 days or more; then France-Visas online form and an in-person appointment at a TLS center (10 consular jurisdictions; files processed by the French Consulate visa service in Washington DC). (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

• Campus France USA confirmation email and EEF-Pastel Pre-Registration Certificate (Required) When: Programme of 90 days or more
  Mandatory even though it may not appear on the general France-Visas or TLS checklist (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Proof of legal status in the United States (If it applies to you) When: Applicant is not a US citizen
  Original + 1 copy; only students whose legal US residency exceeds the stay in France may apply from the US (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Proof of sufficient funds (Required)
  €877.50 per month available AFTER paying all tuition and travel costs (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
• Proof of accommodation in France (Required) (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Getting your papers ready in United States

How to prepare each document

Pre-clearance (ATAS, CAQ, PAL and similar)

• Apply as soon as the offer asks; some take weeks.

Official verification: The issuing authority.

Passport

• Valid for the whole stay plus the margin the country asks (often 6 months beyond).
• At least two blank visa pages.
• Scan the photo page in colour, flat, all four corners visible.
• If you renewed it, keep the old passport too.

Official verification: Only the issuing authority can confirm a passport; we never call it genuine.

Previous passports and travel history

• Keep every old passport.
• Copy every page with a visa or an entry or exit stamp.
• List each trip with dates; declare every earlier refusal.

National identity card (front and back)

• Scan both sides in colour.
• A side not in English needs a certified translation if the country asks.

Official verification: Only the national registry that issued it can confirm it.

Photographs

• Use the size and background the official checklist states (most ask a white or light background, face straight, no glasses).
• Recent: usually taken in the last 6 months.
• Same photo on the form and on paper.

Visa application form

• Fill it online exactly as your passport (FF Assistant can fill it); print and sign the confirmation where asked.

Admission document

• The document the visa asks for (CAS, I-20, CoE, LoA, admission letter).
• Every detail must match your passport.

Official verification: The university can confirm it; ask its admissions office by e-mail.

Bank statement

• The period and balance the country asks, never dropping below the amount.
• Printed after the holding period, recent on the day you apply.
• Signed and stamped by the bank, or e-mailed by the bank where the mission asks.

Official verification: Only the bank can confirm a statement; we never call it genuine.

Sponsor's letter or affidavit of support

• Signed and dated, naming you, the relationship, the sponsor's job, and that the money is for your study.

Official verification: The notary's register.

Sponsor's identity card

• Both sides, in colour.

Official verification: The national registry that issued it.

Scholarship letter

• The award letter with the amount and what it covers.

Official verification: The awarding body.

Accommodation

• Housing contract, university hall confirmation or a host's letter, if the checklist asks.

Official verification: The landlord or university.

CV

• A detailed CV with every study and job, months and years, and no gaps left unexplained.
• Europass format where the country or university asks.

Letter of motivation / statement of purpose

• Your own words: why this course, this university, this country, and your plan after.
• Respect the page or word limit (often at most 2 pages).
• It must match your form and papers.

Transcripts (mark sheets)

• All semesters or years, with the grading scale.
• Attested like the degree.

Official verification: The university's examinations office, or the body that attests it.

Degree certificates

• Every degree the checklist asks for.
• Attested or apostilled as the country requires, then copied as asked.

Official verification: The body that attests degrees in your country, and the foreign ministry, keep records; we never call a stamp genuine.

Family registration certificate (proof of who your parents are)

• Needed when a parent pays for you or the checklist asks for family details.
• English version or certified translation.

Official verification: Your country's civil registry.

Additional documents

• Anything else the checklist lists for your case; follow the checklist's own words.

Travel insurance

• Cover for the journey and the first days if the checklist asks (Schengen countries often do).

Official verification: The insurer.

Visa fee receipt

• Pay only on the official site; keep the receipt.

Official verification: The official payment record.

These preparation points are practical guidance; the official checklist decides what is asked.

Related

• France student visa: cost, money and steps
• Getting your papers ready, country by country

ForiForeign prepares and guides; you file your own application and the France authorities decide. Checklists change: open the official source before you submit.

ForiForeign.com · admin@foriforeign.com · WhatsApp +92 310 5048760 · Information drawn from official sources shown on each rule; not legal advice.

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