6 steps not afraid of failing when applying for a French student visa

Issuing a visa for a foreigner to study in France is not easy because this is a country with strict rules on residence and immigration. If you have ever dropped a French student visa, it will be very difficult for the next visa applications.

So, with 15 years of experience in studying abroad, Duhoctoancau.com sends you 6 steps to apply for a French student visa, avoiding the case of dropping a French student visa for unworthy reasons.

Step 1. Filing a dossier on Campus France Vietnam
First, you must set up an account and file a «Études en France» on Campus France Vietnam. This is also the place for you to register for TCF certification exam.

In the procedures you need to apply for a student visa, you must take the required French proficiency test: Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF) and a face-to-face interview (CEF). The registration fee in cash for this test is as follows:

Exam fee: VND 2,500,000
Campus interview fee: VND 2,900,000.
However, there are some cases where you are not required to take the TCF (because there are proof of French proficiency such as DELF B2, DALF ...) or free in-person interview. To find out if you are exempt from TCF exam or interview fee or not, please contact Campus France directly for the most accurate answer.

Time to start filing: November 15 every year.

Step 2. Prepare your level of French
You need to have a minimum level of French A2 (TCF 200 points, DELF A2) to be able to apply for a student visa to study in France.

For studying for TCF certification, you can focus on practicing the exercises in the book, TCF Entrainement Intensif, which is considered to be a pretty good book and full of knowledge so that you can take the test well. TCF exam. In addition, you can also practice the latest TCF exam questions posted on TV5monde.

The deadline to register for the TCF exam is at least 1 month before the exam. You should calculate the time to register for the exam depending on the level of French and the time you need TCF certificate. If you are not confident with your French level, you should calculate enough time to take the 2nd TCF exam (after at least 60 days) before sending your application to schools if your TCF score is not enough to get a visa or get accepted.

Time to complete: April - May

Step 3. Enrollment, waiting for the certificate of Attestation de Pre-Inscription
After obtaining TCF / DELF, you need to send a letter of registration to learn the language with a French certificate to the language teaching institution you want to study. After being granted Attestation de Pre-Inscription by the school about one week after registration, you can proceed to interview Campus France and apply for a visa.

Step 4. Prepare the required documents for your application
This is the most important step in deciding whether or not you will be granted a visa, so you need to prepare and carefully prepare your application. All your relevant personal documents must be translated into French and saved as a PDF file, including:

<-> College diploma / University admission notice / University transcript
<-> Related certificate if applicable: Scientific research, certificate of merit ...
<-> Attestation de Pre-Inscription paper
<-> Household registration, identity card, passport, birth certificate
<-> Academic transcript and high school diploma
<-> Projet d’étude (aspiration to learn your language)
<-> Projet professionnel (plan after studying in France)
<-> Attestation d’hébergement (can ask an acquaintance to write / book a hotel)
<-> Long-term visa application form, OFFI declaration form (download from TLSContact's website)
<-> Photo white card with the correct size required by TLSContact
<-> TCF / DELF certificate
<-> CV or employment contract (if you used to work)
<-> Certificate of financial proof (minimum of 7380 euros)
<-> Confirmation of interview with Campus France and payment of interview fee (to get visa reduction fee)
<-> Confirmation of flight booking

Time to complete: May

Step 5. Complete your application and schedule an interview with Campus France
When you have completed the list of documents as mentioned above, you need to complete the application file in the "I have been accepted" section on Campus France Vietnam and schedule an interview in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. .

The interview is mainly for Campus France staff to check information related to your study profile and motivation in France. The interview can take place in Vietnamese or French.

Time to complete: Mid-June.

Step 6. Book your visa application at TLSContact
After the Campus France interview certificate, you can make an appointment for a visa on TLSContact website in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Visa applications will be reviewed by the French Embassy. TLScontact does not play any decisive role in visa approval.

The French Embassy will review your visa application for 10 - 15 days.