France Student Visa for Indians: Campus France, Études en France, and the Traducteur Assermenté Rule

The short answer first

France is a Hague Apostille Convention member. Indian documents going to France for student visa need MEA apostille on the India side, plus French translation by a traducteur assermenté (court-sworn translator) registered at a French Cour d'Appel. Before the visa application, every Indian student must complete the Études en France procedure through Campus France India, which includes uploading documents, attending an interview, and receiving Campus France approval that feeds into the visa application. Campus France typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. After Campus France approval, the candidate books a VFS France visa appointment with apostilled, translated documents, financial proof, and accommodation evidence. Realistic total timeline from start to visa: 3 to 4 months.

Why Campus France exists for Indian students

Études en France is the French government's centralised procedure that all students from "Études en France countries" (including India) must complete before submitting a French student visa application. The purpose is to verify the student's profile, French language ability where applicable, and study plan coherence before the visa stage.

Skipping Campus France is not optional. Without a Campus France approval number, the French Embassy or Consulate visa office will not accept the visa application.

The Études en France steps

1. Register on the Études en France portal at Campus France India.
2. Upload application dossier including academic documents (10th, 12th, bachelor's transcripts and degree, master's if applicable), passport, CV, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, language test results.
3. Pay the current Campus France fee shown in your official application account. The amount can change by intake.
4. Book interview at one of Campus France's centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, or Pondicherry.
5. Attend interview in English or French depending on programme language. Interview assesses motivation, study plan, French language proficiency where relevant.
6. Receive Campus France approval with a reference number.
7. University admission with French institution; admission letter is uploaded back to Études en France.
8. VFS France visa appointment with all documents.

The French sworn translator rule

France requires translation by a traducteur assermenté (court-sworn translator) registered at a French Cour d'Appel (Court of Appeal). The list is published at the Cour de Cassation website. For Indian documents going to France, the candidate has two options:

• Use a Cour d'Appel-registered traducteur assermenté based in France. They translate the apostilled Indian document and provide the translation with the court-sworn seal. Some Indian-origin sworn translators in France serve Indian students.
• Use a sworn translator based in India who is recognised by the French Embassy. The French Embassy New Delhi and Consulate Mumbai/Chennai/Kolkata maintain a list of recognised translators for visa submissions; check the current list.

A regular Indian "certified translation" without sworn-court recognition is rejected for visa submissions.

Do English-taught programmes need French translation?

Many French programmes are taught in English (HEC Paris MBA, INSEAD, Sciences Po, ESSEC, EDHEC, École Polytechnique, École Centrale, University of Paris-Saclay International programs). Even for English-taught programmes:

• Academic documents in English from Indian universities typically do not need French translation; they are already in English. Many French universities and the visa office accept English documents.
• Documents in regional Indian languages (birth certificate in Hindi/Tamil/Marathi, etc.) need French translation.
• Some French universities and the visa office may specifically ask for French translation of the apostilled documents regardless — check the specific university and visa instruction.

Required documents for France student visa

• Passport with at least 12 months validity beyond expected entry
• Études en France approval number
• University admission letter (attestation de pré-admission or attestation d'inscription)
• Degree certificate — MEA apostilled, French translation if required
• Consolidated marksheet or transcripts — apostilled, translated if required
• 10th and 12th certificates — apostilled
• Birth certificate — long-form Municipal Corporation, apostilled, French translation
• Passport-size photographs — French specification
• Proof of funds — use the amount and evidence format shown in the current France-Visas checklist for your application date. Evidence may include a bank statement, scholarship letter or sponsor commitment.
• Accommodation proof — CROUS dormitory booking, Studapart booking, private rental, or temporary booking.
• Health insurance for travel; full French social security covers later
• DELF or DALF certificate for French-taught programmes (B1 to C1 depending on level)
• IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE for English-taught programmes (typically 6.0 to 7.0 overall)

VLS-TS visa: what it actually means

The VLS-TS (Visa de Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour) is the long-stay visa that doubles as the residence permit for the first year. After arrival in France, the student validates the VLS-TS online with OFII (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration) within 3 months. The validated VLS-TS is the candidate's residence card for the first year; renewal happens at the local préfecture annually.

What candidates get wrong

• Skipping Campus France. Mandatory. The visa office rejects applications without Campus France approval.
• Translating before apostille. Sequence apostille first.
• Using non-sworn translator. Traducteur assermenté is required for French submissions.
• Treating "English-taught programme" as "no French anything." Some French universities still ask for French translation; some visa categories also ask.
• Forgetting Campus France interview prep. Interviewers assess motivation and coherence; underprepared candidates are flagged.
• Insufficient funds proof. Show the full period and evidence format requested by France-Visas, not a single unexplained deposit.
• OFII validation missed after arrival. Required within 3 months for VLS-TS validity.

Realistic timeline

• Week 1-2: Études en France registration, document upload, interview booking.
• Week 3-4: Campus France interview, university admission.
• Week 4-6: MEA apostille of documents.
• Week 6-7: French sworn translation.
• Week 6-8: Campus France approval received.
• Week 8: VFS France visa appointment.
• Week 8-12: Visa decision (60 working days normally).
• Week 12+: Travel.

Total realistic 3 to 4 months from start to departure. For October intake, start in May or June.

How we approach a France case

We tell the candidate to start Campus France first because it is the long pole. We coordinate apostille after the candidate has university admission confirmation. We work with French Embassy-recognised sworn translators only. We prepare a realistic financial proof with adequate duration in the bank statement (3+ months before visa appointment, ideally).

If you are looking at a France case, share the target programme, intake, and language. We will tell you the realistic 3-4 month plan. WhatsApp or contact.