How to apply for a Student Visa to legally teach English in France

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Obtaining a Student Visa in France

To teach English legally on a student visa in France you’ll need…

1. A passport with an expiration date at least 6 months after your planned stay.

2. A Long Stay Student Visa - please allow 3 to 4 weeks before departure.

3. Registration with OFII - If you plan to stay in France for longer than 6 months, you will need, in addition to the visa, to register with L’office français de l’immigration et de l’intégration (OFII).

To teach English on a student visa please read the article, "Teach English Legally in France, Spain, Italy with a Student Visa".

How to apply for your French Student Visa?

1. The first step in applying for your visa is visiting this website Campus France This is the link for Americans.  Here, you will register and obtain an “attestation” from Campus France. There is a $ 70 registration fee.
2. To apply for your Long Stay Student Visa you must visit in person the closest French consulate to your home address.  Click on this link to find your consulate.  
3. Once you´ve found your consulate you can schedule an appointment online.
4. Here is a list of documents you’ll need when you go to your appointment:

• Your valid passport.
• One photocopy of the identification page in your passport.
• Proof of residency within the Consulate´s region (example documents are a valid driver´s license, or student ID card.)
• 50 Euro processing fee in cash or credit card.
• One completed application form.
• A passport picture stapled or glued to the application form.
• Proof of Registration.
• A financial guarantee (ex: bank statement with at least $820 a month of intended stay, or a letter from your parents with the suggested writing “I hereby certify that I, the (father, mother, other), of (full name) will support him/her with a monthly allowance of $820 while she/he is in France and that I will be financially responsible for any emergency that may arise”
• An “attestation” from Campus France.
• Receipt for payment from Campus France.
• The French Immigration form (just the upper part.)
• An airline reservation showing date of departure or a signed document indicating the intended date of departure and a formal commitment not to leave earlier than that date.
• One self-addressed, prepaid, express mail envelope from the US postal service only.  (NOT Fed Ex, DHL, etc.)

Please read over the consulate webpage for more specific details.  

Visiting the OFII in France

1. All long-term visa holders in France planning to stay longer than 6 months must, within the first 3 months, make a visit to the L’office français de l’immigration et de l’intégration or OFII.
2. To find the nearest OFII office
3. You´ll need to bring with you:

• Your passport.
• A copy of your passport identification pages.
• A passport photo.
• A document verifying your residence in France (electric bill, water bill, etc.)
• 55 Euro tax fee.

Note, student visas are not an "automatic" thing that are purchased. Consulates are nototious for being very particular on every item needed on their checklist and will send you home to get it perfect before issueing a student visa.