France Student Visa (VLS-TS) from Nepal: Process 2026
Step-by-step Campus France and VLS-TS long-stay student visa process, documents and fees for Nepali students.
To study in France for longer than three months, Nepali students need the VLS-TS — the visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour, a long-stay visa that doubles as your residence permit once validated. But before you can even book the visa appointment, you must complete the mandatory Campus France “Études en France” pre-application. Skipping this step is the single most common reason Nepali applications stall.
This guide walks through the entire journey in order — from your Campus France account to validating your VLS-TS with OFII after you land — with the documents, fees, and realistic timelines a Nepali applicant needs. For the full destination overview, start with our study in France guide.
The Two-Stage Process: Campus France Then VLS-TS
France runs a two-stage system for Nepali students. Stage one is the Campus France pre-consular procedure (Études en France), which handles your admission and a mandatory interview. Stage two is the actual long-stay visa application at VFS Global in Kathmandu. You cannot do stage two without completing stage one.
- Create your Études en France account on the Campus France Nepal platform and build your profile (academics, CV, motivation, language ability).
- Apply to French programmes through the platform and secure an official admission/acceptance letter from your institution.
- Pay the Campus France procedure fee and attend your Campus France interview in Kathmandu — this is the pre-consular step.
- Receive your Campus France clearance, which unlocks the visa stage.
- Book your VLS-TS appointment at VFS Global in Kathmandu, submit documents and biometrics, and pay the EUR 50 visa fee.
- Collect your passport with the visa after a decision (typically 2-4 weeks for a complete file).
- Validate your VLS-TS online with OFII within three months of arriving in France and pay the OFII tax — your validated visa then acts as your residence permit.
Documents You Need
Exact requirements vary slightly by intake, but Nepali students should prepare the following. Always cross-check the live checklist on the official France-Visas wizard before submitting.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid well beyond your study period, with blank pages |
| Campus France clearance | Confirmation of the completed Études en France procedure |
| Admission / acceptance letter | Official enrolment proof from your French institution |
| Proof of funds | At least EUR 615/month (~EUR 7,380/yr); EUR 800-1,000/month recommended |
| Proof of accommodation | CROUS allocation, lease, or host attestation for at least the first months |
| Academic transcripts & certificates | SEE/SLC, +2, bachelor's as relevant, with translations if required |
| Language proof | IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught, or DELF/DALF for French-taught programmes |
| Photos & visa form | Passport-size photos and the completed France-Visas application |
For Nepal-specific financial paperwork — bank balance certificates, source-of-funds, sponsor letters, education loans, and Nepal Rastra Bank requirements — read our financial documents guide for Nepali students. For the wider checklist that applies across destinations, see our application process overview.
Fees, Processing Time & Financial Proof
- Visa fee: EUR 50 (approx. NPR 7,500), paid at VFS Global — plus a separate VFS service charge
- Campus France procedure fee: a non-refundable processing fee paid during Études en France (confirm the current amount on the platform)
- OFII tax: about EUR 60 (approx. NPR 9,000), paid after arrival when you validate the VLS-TS
- Financial proof: minimum EUR 615/month (about EUR 7,380/yr, approx. NPR 11.1 Lakh); EUR 800-1,000/month is safer, especially for Paris
- Processing time: typically 2-4 weeks for a complete VLS-TS file after Campus France clearance, though peak season (May-August) can be slower
See the full cost breakdown — tuition, living, CVEC, and insurance in EUR and NPR — in our cost of studying in France guide.
After You Arrive: Validating Your VLS-TS
Your VLS-TS is not complete until you validate it. Within three months of arriving in France, log in to the official OFII portal, enter your visa details, upload your French address, and pay the OFII tax. Once validated, your VLS-TS legally functions as your residence permit for the year — there is no separate plastic card for the first year.
- Pay the CVEC (about EUR 105) and complete university enrolment
- Open a French bank account and apply for CAF/APL housing aid
- Register with the French social-security health system (free)
- Renew your residence permit at the local préfecture before it expires if you continue studying
You can confirm every official requirement and the live document checklist on the France-Visas official portal and the Campus France website.
Common Reasons France Student Visas Are Refused
- Insufficient or untraceable funds — the most frequent cause; show steady, well-documented funds, not a last-minute deposit.
- Weak academic-to-programme fit — your study plan should logically follow your past education and career goals.
- Poor Campus France interview — be clear about why France, why this programme, and your plans after graduation.
- Incomplete documents — missing accommodation proof or translations delays or sinks files.
- Doubts about intent to return — present a coherent post-study plan rather than appearing to migrate permanently.