How Much Bank Balance Is Required For France Student Visa?

As an individual looking forward to studying in France, having a student visa is often as important as your passport, and just like a passport, there are you must meet and documents you must have to successfully get a student visa. One such prerequisite is the amount of money you have in your bank account. Why is this important? That certainly would be the first question on your lips but before you find out, let’s consider the exact balance required by France to get a student visa.Let us know How Much Bank Balance Is Required For France Student Visa?

How Much Bank Balance Is Required For France Student Visa?

To apply for a France student visa, you must have your tuition and a monthly income of at least 615 Euros which has been estimated to be enough to cater for your needs for each month you spend in France. The proof of this balance can be shown through your bank statement, or a guarantor’s letter if you are been given a loan or grant or scholarship. 

Importance of the Bank Balance Required for a France Student Visa

The million-dollar question on your mind at this point would be why is it important for me to show proof of my bank balance. Well, here is why: 

  1. The first and most important reason is to ensure that you have enough money to survive while you go through your program in France. The other reasons are born out of this fundamental reason, they include
  2. For a developed country like France, its citizens and residents of their country must have a steady source of income because this helps to strengthen the output of the economy, which ultimately sustains the development level of the nation. If they relax on this, it sooner or later affects the economy of the country.
  3. Being able to cater for your needs, and the needs of your family and community are often associated with solid overall well-being, thereby limiting issues of physical or mental health. 
  4. When the working population of a country have jobs and can take care of their needs, there is usually a low rate of personal and social insecurity within the country.

Other Documents Required for France Student Visa

As earlier mentioned, there are other documents or prerequisites aside from the proof of bank balance that you need to have to get a France student visa. They include: 

  1. Passport and previously used visa(s)
  2. You must be 18 years or above 
  3. Two coloured passport photographs
  4. An admission letter from the French university you applied for
  5. Evidence that shows you have accommodation in France for the period of study.
  6. Proof of residency is seen either through an electricity bill, lease, or property tile.
  7. Your medical insurance and proof that it would also cover you in France
  8. You will also need to show your academic transcript or a degree if applicable
  9. A duly filled visa application form
  10. Proof of paid visa application fee
  11. A flight ticket with the intended departure date
  12. Criminal record certificate from your country or country of residence.

Benefits of a France Student Visa

As an international student going to France to study, you must take advantage of the student visa, as opposed to other types. This marks you as a student and you get to enjoy similar privileges as other French students. Some of these privileges include

  • Subsidies or discounts offered by the French University, e.g transportation, theatre, cinemas, and more.
  • Social insurance
  • Housing subsidies, among others

How to Get a France Student Visa?

Follow these 4 steps to get your France student visa: 

  1. The first step to take is to apply to the French university of your choice and get an admission letter.
  2. Depending on your course and the university, determine the kind of student visa you will need, as there are three types:
    1. Schengen short-stay student visa for 3 months or less
    2. Temporary long-stay visa for studies between 3 to 6 months
    3. Long-stay visa which lasts for 6 months to 1 year
  3. To apply, visit the French ministry or government office in your country or you can apply through Campus France’s local office in your country.
  4. Ensure you meet the language requirement of competency in French and English language. This may not be needed if you have received an admission letter from the school of your choice.
  5. Ensure you have the required bank balance and other documents listed above and you are good to go. 

Conclusion

While some other requirements may have conditions attached to them depending on the country or one factor or another, the bank balance requirement is constant across all citizens from other countries applying for a France student visa. This shows the importance of this very requirement and the intentionality of France’s government to keep its standing as a developed country and ensure its citizens or residents are living within the standard of the nation, whether as a student or not.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does it cost to get a France student visa?

To get the visa, you will need to pay of fee of about 50 to 100 euros.

2. Can I use my France student visa for permanent residence?

No, a student visa can only be used for a maximum of 1 year, to extend your stay you will have to apply for a France residence permit.