Entry Requirement
International students who are not from Europe (i.e., students who are not nationals of the countries of the European Economic Region besides Andorra, Monaco, Switzerland, San Marino, and Vatican City) must obtain a long-term visa marked "student" in order to study in France for longer than 3 months. International students of all nationalities enjoy the right of multiple entries into France. Once granted, their visa is automatically renewed for the duration of their studies in France. A special visa exists for prospective students. The so-called étudiant-concours visa is granted for stays of no more than 90 days for the purpose of taking an entrance examination or visiting institutions of higher education. Prospective students who pass their examination receive a full student visa without returning to their country of origin. The prospective student visa also may be granted to students whose admission to a higher education institution is contingent upon their completion of a short course of remedial or refresher work. To obtain a visa, visit the French consulate in your place of residence or the visa office of the French embassy.
REMEMBER
Under no circumstances may a tourist visa be converted into a student visa. This is true throughout the European Union. International students of all nationalities intending to stay in France for more than 3 months must obtain a student identification card.