French visas at a glance
Visas split into short stay (type C, up to 90 days) and long stay (type D, over 3 months). Korean nationals enjoy 90 visa-free days for tourism, but a type-D visa is mandatory for study, work or family reunification.
The most common long-stay is the VLS-TS, which acts as a residence permit for 1 year. There are also the WHV, family visas and the Talent Passport.
Main visa types
Spot the closest match to your situation first, conditions vary by school, employer or family setup.
- Campus France is mandatory
- Valid 1 year, renewable while enrolled
- Up to 20 h/week of work allowed
- 1 year of free stay, no extra permit
- Not renewable: another visa is needed after
- Return ticket or return funds required
- Employer initiates via DREETS/OFII
- Talent Passport lasts up to 4 years, family included
- Minimum salary and conditions vary
- Depends on the main visa and its duration
- Apostille on marriage/birth certificates
- Sufficient income and housing must be proven
Step-by-step procedure
1) Identify the right visa with France-Visas Assistant. 2) (students) Complete Campus France. 3) Fill in the France-Visas application and book at VFS / consulate. 4) Submit documents and biometrics. 5) Receive the decision and enter France. 6) Validate the VLS-TS online within 3 months.
Pre-departure checklist
0/8 done- Save the France-Visas Assistant resultPriorityPreparation
Keep the visa type and document list saved as PDF.
- Check 6+ months passport validityPriority
- Campus France completed (if applicable)Priority
- VFS appointment booked and fee paid
- Proof of funds (last 3 months / scholarship)Priority
Often ≥ €615/month depending on the visa.
- Housing proof (lease or attestation)Priority
- Travel / student insurance subscribed
- Reminder to validate VLS-TS on arrivalAfter arrival
Watch out: common mistakes
- Skipping Campus France as a student almost always leads to refusal.
- Failing to validate the VLS-TS within 3 months makes the stay irregular.
- Pay fees only on the official France-Visas page, “intermediaries” are scams.
JARI recommendation: order of preparation
Starting 8 weeks before departure avoids missing documents and slot delays.
- Week 8: Campus France / admission confirmed
- Week 6: France-Visas account & application filled
- Week 5: VFS appointment, photos and passport copies
- Week 3: Funds, housing and insurance saved as PDF
- Week 1: Decision received, ticket finalised
Démarches you can do online
This list only contains official portals where you can actually act online. Documents issued by a school, landlord or insurer are not included.
Identify your visa type and the documents you must provide.
Fill in the online application and book at VFS/consulate.
Students living in Korea must go through Campus France before applying for the visa.
Must be validated on ANEF within 3 months of arrival for the permit to take effect.
Online apostille for Korean public documents (marriage, birth, diplomas).
Issues the English family relation certificate for family visas.
Documents in detail
For each document: what it’s for, who asks for it, where to get it. Links are shown only for official portals.
Proof of accommodation
- For which démarche
- Student/visitor/work visa, bank, insurance, school
- Requested by
- France-Visas, consulate, bank, insurance, school
- Why needed
- To prove a real address in France.
- Where to get it
- Landlord, student residence, host, booking platform
- Examples
- Lease (bail), housing attestation, student residence, hotel/residence booking
Proof of funds
- For which démarche
- All long-stay visas
- Requested by
- France-Visas, consulate
- Why needed
- Show you can support yourself in France.
- Where to get it
- Bank, scholarship body, family registry
- Examples
- Last 3 months bank statements (English), scholarship letter, parental sponsorship + family record + statements
Campus France attestation
- For which démarche
- Student visa
- Requested by
- France-Visas, consulate, VFS
- Why needed
- Confirms admission and study plan.
- Where to get it
- Campus France Korea portal
- Examples
- PDF issued after the Campus France interview
Insurance attestation
- For which démarche
- Short/long stay visa, school enrolment
- Requested by
- Consulate, school
- Why needed
- Initial health coverage and repatriation.
- Where to get it
- Insurer’s online portal or advisor
- Examples
- Multilingual insurer attestation, student insurance
After arrival: what to do first
Order: VLS-TS validation → address → bank account → insurance → CAF. Each step has its own JARI guide.
FAQ
Official sources
- France-VisasLast checked 2026-05-12
Official visa portal and Assistant.
- Service-PublicLast checked 2026-05-12
VLS-TS validation and stay information.
- Campus FranceLast checked 2026-05-12
Study procedure for Korean students.
- ANEFLast checked 2026-05-12
Online portal for foreigners’ admin steps.
- AmeliLast checked 2026-05-12
Health insurance enrolment and rights.
Questions & comments
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