France raises student visa funding floor to 877.50 euros a month

€877.50 a month is now the minimum funding required for France’s long-stay student visa, a 43% increase from €615.

The 12-month funding gap is €3,150

France applied the higher threshold to applications lodged from Aug. 1. Students must now show about €10,530 for 12 months, compared with €7,380 under the previous requirement.

For nomads entering through a degree or language program, that adds €262.50 a month or €3,150 a year, to the amount that must be documented. Tuition, housing deposits and the €105 student life contribution sit outside this living-cost threshold.

The requirement now equals 47% of France’s gross minimum wage, known as SMIC. That means future minimum-wage adjustments can raise the visa funding floor without a separate regulatory change.

Who must meet the higher threshold

The rule covers non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss applicants seeking a long-stay student visa, including the VLS-TS étudiant, as well as students renewing long-stay status.

Applications filed by July 31 could be assessed against the old €615 threshold. The increase doesn’t apply to short-stay Schengen tourist visas, which have separate subsistence rules.

French government scholarship recipients funded by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs generally clear the requirement because their awards provide at least €900 a month. Other applicants considering moving to France through the study route need to budget against the higher figure.

Several forms of funding can count

Applicants can combine multiple funding sources when documenting the required amount. Accepted evidence includes:

• Personal savings: Bank statements or certificates showing sufficient funds

• Regular income: Employment records and recent payslips

• Scholarships: Letters stating the award’s value and duration

• Third-party support: A guarantor’s identification, bank evidence and proof or a sworn statement of regular transfers

Consular officers assess the applicant’s overall financing, so the full €10,530 doesn’t necessarily need to appear in one bank account.