Documents Required for Campus France & French Student Visa

Last Updated: March 11, 2026

🕑 16 min read

The France student visa process for Indian students involves two distinct phases — Campus France portal registration and VFS visa application — each requiring a specific set of documents that must be prepared in the correct format, translated where necessary, and submitted in the right order. Missing even one document or submitting an incorrect format can delay your application by weeks or result in outright rejection. This comprehensive 2026 checklist covers every single document you need for both phases, with exact specifications, translation requirements, apostille rules, and common mistakes that Indian applicants make.

Understanding the Two-Phase Application Process for France

Unlike countries such as Germany or Canada where you apply directly to the university and then apply for a visa, France requires Indian students to go through a mandatory two-phase process. First, you must register and complete your academic evaluation through the Campus France portal (called “Etudes en France”). Only after receiving your Campus France attestation can you proceed to the second phase — the actual visa application through VFS Global.

This two-phase approach exists because Campus France acts as the official French government agency that verifies your academic credentials, language proficiency, and study motivation before you are allowed to apply for the student visa. Think of Phase 1 as your academic clearance and Phase 2 as your immigration clearance. Both require different sets of documents, and the documents from Phase 1 become part of your Phase 2 submission.

PHASE 1 — Campus France Portal (Etudes en France) Document Checklist

The Campus France portal requires you to upload scanned copies of all documents. Every document must be clear, legible, and in the correct format. Here is the complete document-by-document breakdown for Phase 1:

1. Passport Scan

Upload a clear colour scan of the first and last page of your passport (the page with your photograph and personal details, and the page with address/family details). Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in France. For a 2-year Master’s starting September 2026, your passport should be valid until at least March 2029.

Specification	Requirement
Format	PDF or JPEG, max 300 KB per page
Pages Required	First page (photo page) + last page (address page)
Validity	Minimum 6 months beyond programme end date
Old Passports	Upload if you have previous travel history (Schengen/US/UK)

2. Passport-Size Photographs

You need a digital photograph in French visa format for the Campus France portal. The specifications are: 35mm x 45mm, white background, face covering 70-80% of the frame, no glasses, no head covering (unless religious), neutral expression, taken within the last 6 months. Upload in JPEG format, minimum 100 KB, maximum 300 KB.

3. Academic Transcripts (All Years)

This is one of the most critical documents. You must upload semester-wise or year-wise mark sheets for all years of your completed education. For a Master’s application, this includes all semesters of your Bachelor’s degree. For a Bachelor’s application, upload your 10th and 12th mark sheets.

Applying For	Transcripts Required	Translation Needed?
Bachelor’s (License)	10th + 12th mark sheets (all subjects)	Yes, if not in English or French
Master’s	All semester mark sheets of Bachelor’s + 10th + 12th	Yes, if not in English or French
PhD (Doctorat)	All Bachelor’s + Master’s transcripts	Yes, if not in English or French

Format specifications: Scan each mark sheet separately as a PDF or JPEG. Maximum file size is 300 KB per document. If your mark sheets are in a language other than English or French (for example, Hindi or Gujarati), you must get them translated by a sworn/certified translator. Campus France India accepts translations done by translators registered with the French Embassy or any certified translation agency.

4. Degree Certificates / Provisional Certificates

Upload your final degree certificate or, if you have not yet received it, a provisional degree certificate from your university. If you are in your final year, upload your latest available mark sheets along with a bonafide letter from your institution confirming your expected graduation date.

For students from Gujarat universities, keep in mind that the convocation certificate and the degree certificate are different documents. Campus France requires the degree certificate specifically. If it is not yet issued, the provisional certificate works as a substitute.

5. CV / Resume

Your CV should be in Europass format or a clean professional format, maximum 2 pages, in English or French. Include your educational background, any work experience, internships, research projects, technical skills, language proficiencies, and extracurricular activities. The CV must be consistent with the information you enter on the Campus France portal.

6. Statement of Purpose (SOP) / Motivation Letter

The SOP or Lettre de Motivation is arguably the most important qualitative document in your Campus France application. It should be 1-2 pages, clearly explaining why you chose France, why you chose your specific programme and university, how it connects to your previous education, and what your career plans are after completing the programme. Write it in the language of instruction — English for English-taught programmes, French for French-taught programmes.

7. Language Proficiency Certificates

The language certificate you need depends on the language of instruction of your chosen programme:

Programme Language	Accepted Tests	Typical Minimum Score
English-taught	IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1/C2, Duolingo (select universities)	IELTS 6.0-6.5 / TOEFL 80-90
French-taught	TCF, DELF B2, DALF C1/C2	TCF B2 (400-499) / DELF B2
Bilingual programmes	Both English + French certificates	Varies by university

Important: Even if you are applying for an English-taught programme, having a basic French certificate (A1 or A2 DELF) strengthens your Campus France profile significantly. It shows your commitment to integrating into French society and is often discussed during the Campus France interview.

8. Work Experience Letters (If Applicable)

If you have any work experience — full-time, part-time, or internships — upload experience letters on company letterhead with the company stamp, your designation, duration of employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities. This is especially important for MBA and business programme applicants where work experience adds significant value to your profile.

9. Additional Documents for Campus France Portal

Depending on your specific situation, you may also need to upload:

• GMAT/GRE score report — if required by your specific programme (common for business schools like HEC Paris, ESSEC, INSEAD)
• Portfolio — for architecture, design, or art programmes
• Research proposal — for PhD applications
• Scholarship award letter — if you have received a French government scholarship (Eiffel, Charpak, etc.)
• Recommendation letters — typically 2, from academic professors or professional supervisors

PHASE 2 — VFS Global Visa Application Document Checklist

Once you receive your Campus France attestation (positive opinion), you can book a visa appointment at VFS Global. The visa application requires a comprehensive set of documents — most of which overlap with Phase 1, but several additional documents are required specifically for the visa.

1. Passport (Original + Photocopy)

Submit your original passport along with photocopies of all used pages. The passport must have at least 2 blank pages for the visa sticker. If you have an old passport with previous travel history (especially Schengen travel), submit that as well with photocopies of all stamped pages. The passport will be retained by VFS during processing.

2. Campus France Attestation / Receipt

This is the printout of your Campus France evaluation receipt that confirms you have completed the Campus France process and received a positive opinion. This document is generated automatically on the Etudes en France portal once your evaluation is complete. Print it on A4 paper.

3. Admission Letter / Acceptance Letter from French Institution

Submit the official admission letter from your French university or Grande Ecole. The letter must clearly state your full name (as in passport), programme name, programme duration, start date, language of instruction, and tuition fees. For students admitted through the DAP (Demande d’Admission Prealable) procedure, submit the DAP acceptance letter.

4. Financial Proof Documents

France requires proof that you can support yourself financially during your stay. The minimum requirement is EUR 615 per month, which translates to approximately EUR 7,380 per year (INR 6.64 lakh). Accepted financial documents include:

• Bank statements — 3-6 months of statements from an Indian bank showing sufficient balance
• Fixed Deposit (FD) certificates — from a nationalised or scheduled bank
• Education loan sanction letter — from a recognised bank with disbursement confirmation
• Sponsor letter (Attestation de Prise en Charge) — if a family member is sponsoring your stay, with their financial documents
• Scholarship letter — if you have a scholarship covering living expenses
• AVI (Attestation de Virement Irrevocable) — for government scholarship holders

5. Accommodation Proof

You must show proof of accommodation in France for at least the first few months. Acceptable documents include:

• University housing confirmation — CROUS residence allocation letter
• Private accommodation booking — lease agreement or booking confirmation
• Attestation d’Hebergement — a hosting certificate from a person residing in France who will host you, along with their ID and proof of address
• Hotel booking — for the first 1-2 weeks (acceptable as temporary proof)

6. Travel Insurance

You need travel/medical insurance with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 (approximately INR 27 lakh) valid for the entire duration of your initial stay. The insurance must cover medical emergencies, hospitalisation, and repatriation across the entire Schengen zone. Popular providers among Indian students include Bajaj Allianz, ICICI Lombard, and HDFC Ergo. The cost typically ranges from INR 5,000-15,000 depending on the coverage period.

7. Return Flight Ticket / Itinerary

A confirmed one-way flight ticket or a tentative round-trip itinerary to France is required. Most students book a one-way ticket to their French city (Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, etc.). Some visa officers may ask for a return ticket; a tentative itinerary (PNR without full payment) is acceptable. Cost ranges from INR 25,000-50,000 for a one-way ticket depending on the season and airline.

8. OFII Form (Office Francais de l’Immigration et de l’Integration)

The OFII form is a specific document required for long-stay student visas (VLS-TS). You must fill in the OFII form completely, sign it, and submit it along with your visa application. After arriving in France, you will need to validate your visa with OFII within 3 months — this is a mandatory immigration step. The OFII form includes your personal details, passport information, and address in France.

9. Visa Application Form (Long Stay)

Complete the long-stay visa application form (Cerfa form) carefully. Every field must match your passport exactly — name spelling, date of birth format, passport number, etc. Sign the form with the same signature as in your passport. Download the form from the France-Visas website or collect it from the VFS centre.

10. Visa Fee Receipt

The long-stay student visa fee is EUR 99 (approximately INR 8,910). Additionally, VFS Global charges a service fee of approximately INR 2,800-3,500. Payment is made at the VFS centre at the time of document submission. Keep the receipt as part of your application file.

11. Passport-Size Photographs (Visa Specifications)

Carry 3-4 recent passport-size photographs meeting French visa specifications: 35mm x 45mm, white background, face covering 70-80% of the frame, printed on good quality photo paper. These are physical prints, not digital — VFS will attach them to your application.

Document Translation and Apostille Requirements

Understanding the translation and apostille rules is essential to avoid delays and rejections. Here is a clear breakdown:

Translation Requirements

Document	Translation Needed?	Details
Passport	No	Already in English
Academic transcripts (English)	No	English documents accepted as-is
Academic transcripts (Hindi/regional language)	Yes	Certified French or English translation required
Degree certificate	Case-by-case	English certificates usually accepted; translate if in regional language
Bank statements	No	Indian bank statements are in English
Birth certificate	Yes (if required)	Translate to French by a sworn translator
Work experience letters	No	English letters accepted; translate if in other language

Apostille Requirements

France is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, which means that certain documents may need to be apostilled for international recognition. However, for the standard student visa application, the French Embassy in India generally does NOT require apostille for academic documents. The apostille requirement typically applies in the following scenarios:

• Degree certificates — Some French universities may ask for apostilled degree certificates at the time of enrolment (not visa application)
• Birth certificate — Required only if specifically asked by the university or for certain administrative procedures in France
• Marriage certificate — Only if applying as a spouse or dependent

In India, apostille is done through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The process takes 5-7 working days and costs INR 50 per document. Documents must first be attested by the state Home Department (or relevant authority in your state) before MEA apostille. The complete process — state attestation + MEA apostille — takes approximately 2-3 weeks.

Complete Document Specifications Summary

Here is a consolidated reference table with the exact format, size, and specification requirements for every document:

Document	Phase	Format	Max Size	Original Needed at VFS?
Passport	1 & 2	PDF / JPEG	300 KB	Yes (original retained)
Photographs	1 & 2	JPEG (digital) + Print	300 KB (digital)	Yes (3-4 prints)
Academic Transcripts	1 & 2	PDF / JPEG	300 KB each	Yes + photocopy
Degree Certificate	1 & 2	PDF / JPEG	300 KB	Yes + photocopy
CV / Resume	1	PDF	300 KB	No
SOP / Motivation Letter	1	PDF	300 KB	No
Language Certificate	1 & 2	PDF / JPEG	300 KB	Yes + photocopy
Admission Letter	2	PDF	300 KB	Yes + photocopy
Bank Statements	2	PDF / Print	—	Yes (stamped original)
Accommodation Proof	2	PDF / Print	—	Yes (print)
Travel Insurance	2	PDF / Print	—	Yes (print)
OFII Form	2	Print (filled)	—	Yes (signed original)
Flight Ticket / Itinerary	2	PDF / Print	—	Yes (print)

Common Document Mistakes Indian Students Make

Based on thousands of applications processed at Kadamb Overseas, here are the most frequent document-related mistakes that cause delays or rejections:

Mistake 1: Inconsistent Name Spelling

Your name must be exactly the same across all documents — passport, transcripts, degree certificate, bank statements, and visa application. Even minor variations like “Mohammed” vs “Mohammad” or “Patel” vs “Patil” can cause issues. If there are genuine differences (for example, your 10th mark sheet has a different spelling than your passport), get an affidavit prepared explaining the variation.

Mistake 2: Uploading Blurry or Low-Resolution Scans

Campus France frequently rejects uploads that are blurry, tilted, or partially cut off. Use a proper scanner (not a phone camera) set to 300 DPI minimum. If using a phone, use apps like Adobe Scan or CamScanner with auto-crop and high-quality settings. Ensure all text is clearly readable and no part of the document is cut off.

Mistake 3: Not Having English/French Translations Ready

Many students from Hindi-medium schools or state boards have transcripts in Hindi or regional languages. They attempt to upload these directly on Campus France, causing rejection. Get certified translations done before starting the Campus France process. A certified translator in Ahmedabad charges approximately INR 500-1,500 per page.

Mistake 4: Insufficient Financial Documentation

Submitting bank statements showing just the minimum EUR 615/month is risky. Visa officers look for a comfortable margin above the minimum. We recommend showing at least INR 8-10 lakh in savings, not just the bare minimum of INR 6.64 lakh. Also, sudden large deposits just before the visa application raise red flags — build your balance gradually over 3-6 months.

Mistake 5: Missing the OFII Form

Many students forget to fill and submit the OFII form with their visa application. The OFII form is a separate document from the visa application form. It is not available on the Campus France portal — you need to download it from the France-Visas website or obtain it from VFS. Submitting an incomplete visa application without the OFII form will delay your processing.

Step-by-Step Document Preparation Timeline

For a September 2026 intake, here is the ideal document preparation timeline:

Timeline	Action Items
January-February 2026	Check passport validity and renew if needed. Collect all academic transcripts and degree certificates. Start language test preparation (IELTS/TCF/DELF).
March 2026	Take your language test. Get translations done for any non-English documents. Draft your SOP/motivation letter. Update your CV.
April 2026	Register on Campus France (Etudes en France) portal. Upload all Phase 1 documents. Pay the Campus France fee (INR 14,900). Submit university applications if not already done.
May 2026	Attend Campus France interview. Build financial proof (bank balance). Receive admission letters from French universities.
June 2026	Receive Campus France attestation. Collect all Phase 2 documents. Book travel insurance. Arrange accommodation proof. Fill OFII form.
July 2026	Book VFS appointment. Submit visa application with all documents. Track application status online.
August 2026	Receive visa (7-15 working days typical). Book flights. Prepare for departure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does the Campus France process cost for Indian students?

The Campus France processing fee is INR 14,900 (non-refundable). This covers your profile evaluation, interview, and attestation. In addition, the visa fee at VFS is EUR 99 (~INR 8,910) plus the VFS service charge of ~INR 3,000. Total cost for Campus France + visa application is approximately INR 26,000-28,000.

Can I apply for a France student visa without Campus France?

No. Campus France registration is mandatory for all Indian students applying for a long-stay student visa to France. You cannot book a VFS visa appointment without completing the Campus France process first. The only exceptions are diplomatic passport holders and certain exchange programme students — but these are rare cases.

Do I need to get my documents apostilled for France student visa?

For the visa application itself, apostille is generally NOT required. However, some French universities may request apostilled documents at the time of enrolment in France. It is advisable to get your degree certificate and birth certificate apostilled before departure as a precaution. The MEA apostille process costs INR 50 per document and takes 5-7 working days.

What happens if Campus France gives a negative opinion?

A negative opinion from Campus France does not automatically mean a visa rejection, but it significantly reduces your chances. Reasons for negative opinions include poor interview performance, inconsistencies between your SOP and interview answers, unclear study motivation, or incomplete documents. You can appeal the decision or reapply for a different intake — but it is better to prepare thoroughly the first time.

How long does the France student visa take after VFS submission?

The typical processing time is 7-15 working days after VFS submission. During peak season (June-August), it can extend to 3-4 weeks. Always apply at least 6-8 weeks before your intended departure date. VFS provides online tracking so you can monitor your application status.

Can I submit photocopies instead of originals at VFS?

No. VFS requires original documents along with one set of photocopies. Your original passport will be retained during processing and returned with the visa sticker. Other original documents (transcripts, certificates) are verified and returned to you at the time of submission. Always carry 2 sets of photocopies as backup.

Is the OFII form the same as the visa application form?

No, they are separate forms. The visa application form (Cerfa form) is for the visa itself. The OFII form is for the French immigration office and is required for validating your visa after arrival in France. Both must be filled, signed, and submitted together at VFS. Do not confuse the two — this is a common mistake.