Today with me is our Jamal Bhai, from whom we will try to get all the information about the French Visa and Student Visa and explain it to you guys.

Guest Introduction

First of all, a little introduction. My name is Jamal Abdul Nasir. I did my Bachelors from Quaid University and have been in France for just four months. I have come here for my Masters and got admission in Paris Saclay. I did my Bachelors in Geophysics, and my Masters is in Arctic Studies.

Visa Overview

There are four to five steps from admission to visa, similar to the Italian student visa process. I have been telling you for the last two years that there are three to four steps in it. Similarly, the French Student Visa has three to four steps, or most probably five steps, which we will discuss in detail now.

Step 1: Admission

The first step is admission. First of all, you will seek admission, and you will get the acceptance letter. Then you can do the further process. This is a mandatory step, and there are over 70 public universities in France, along with private universities where you can apply.

There are different criteria for admission, and in many universities, you can apply through various platforms. France has created a good platform for applications. The deadline was at the end of February, but you still have a chance to apply and come to France on a study visa. You can apply on the university’s portal and also on a new portal called Mon Master.

To summarize, there are more than 70 public universities in France, and many private universities. The public universities are government-funded, while the private ones have different fee structures. The fees for applying in France start from 250 rupees or 234 Euros and can go up to 2000 Euros, depending on your program.

Step 2: Application Methods

You have three methods to apply. One is directly through the university’s website, such as Sorbonne University, Paris Saclay, and Paris Cite. You simply go to their website and look for the admissions section, where there will be an option to apply.

The second method is through Mon Master. If you want to go for a Master, you will have two methods: one on the university portal and the other on Mon Master. The third method is It This in France, but the deadline was in February, which has ended.

The university’s website may have different deadlines for different programs. Some programs in Paris Saclay are starting in May, with varying deadlines. The deadline for Mon Master is March 24, and applications are starting from February 26.

Step 3: Required Documents

Now that we have discussed admission, let’s talk about the documents you need to upload on the university portal or Mon Master portal. You will need educational documents, a cover letter, and a CV. Your CV should be in Euro pass format. Some universities require a 6.5 IELTS band, while others do not.

Recommendations are also necessary. You can get two recommendations from any Assistant Professor or Associate Professor from your Bachelor’s institution or your workplace. Some universities may request a course outline, which you can get from your own university.

As far as document verification is concerned, until last year, they did not require verification of your documents. However, it is advisable to get your documents attested from the respective boards.

Step 4: Applying for the Visa

After getting the acceptance letter, you have to apply on This is in France. From there, you will sign up, log in, and input all your necessary information and documents, including your acceptance letter. After uploading the documents, they will send you an email asking for a fee of 30,000 PKR, which you can deposit from any Pakistani bank.

Once you have the PDF file generated, you will take it and your passport to AEG French Visa Services, which has offices in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Sialkot, and Multan. You will need to request an interview appointment and they will provide you with a document checklist for the interview.

Step 5: Visa Application

The fourth step is to apply for the visa application online on the website. You will need to fill out your details and upload the necessary documents. After this, the last thing is that you will need your AG receipt, passport, ID card, CV, and letter of motivation.

All educational documents, including degrees and work experience, should also be taken with you. Financial documents, including bank statements and a sponsorship affidavit, will be required to show who is supporting you.

Conclusion

Lastly, remember to take all original documents and copies for the interview. The visa fee is around 16,000 to 18,000 PKR.