Step By Step Guide To Applying For A French Visa
The Eiffel Tower is not the only attraction in France. Its sophisticated educational system is also one of the reasons behind the influx of many visitors in the country. As the center of the world’s culture and arts, France provides a one of a kind learning environment to many.
The demand for a French student visa is felt in all parts of the world and the Philippines is not exempt from this. Through the years, many Filipinos fly to France to specialize in their respective fields and attain high quality education. This situation, thus explains the popularity of the French student visa in the country.
Requirements
To apply for a student visa, the following documents should be submitted:
- Complete long stay visa application form
- At least 2 photos (35 mm x 45mm), taken against a white background
- Copies of the passport’s data page
- Pre-enrollment certificate from any French school or university
- Scholarship certificate
- Lodging evidences in France
- For those who are participating in exchange programs, evidences of enrollment in a Philippine university such as enrollment certificate, tuition receipts and school ID should be presented
- Diplomas
- Evidences of financial resources (self or sponsor). Examples of these proofs are:
o Recent and previous business registrations documents
o Income tax returns
o Bank account statements within the last three months
o NSO-authenticated birth certificate
Application procedures
Step 1–Secure a pre-enrollment certificate from the university being applied for. Without this document, the application cannot push through.
Step 2–Schedule an appointment with the French Embassy. Applicants should contact the embassy from 2PM-4PM at this contact number: 857 – 69 – 24. Student visa candidates can also send an email to: cultural.ambafrance.manille@gmail.com
Step 3 – Gather all the necessary documents. Upon scheduling for an appointment, applicants should immediately process and obtain all the required papers and certificates. Incomplete documents can result to visa denial or disapproval. \
Step 4 – Pay the processing fees. Since a student visa is categorized as a long stay visa, it costs 99€. The fee should be paid in Philippine peso based on the current exchange rate.
Step 5 – Prepare for the interview. All student visa applicants should go through a pre-consular interview.
Step 6–Attend the appointment and the interview. It should be remembered that student visa candidates are required to submit biometric information for security purposes.
Step 7 - Wait for a decision.
Visa processing may last for five (5) days. To ensure higher approval chances, it would be best to immediately secure all the document requirements. In addition, the assistance of immigration lawyers in the country can help student visa applicants better understand the immigration policies and conditions that their visa entails. These legal professionals can also assist candidates in passing the pre-consular interviews.
