Short stay visa for studies
Table des matières
1. Do you need a short stay visa for studies ? 
Yes, except if you are citizen from Switzerland, Vatican, San Marino, Monaco, Andorra, the European economic area or an american passport holder.
| STARTING MARCH 24th, AMERICAN PASSPORT HOLDERS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A VISA FOR STUDIES UNDER 90 DAYS.
STARTING DECEMBER 19th, BIOMETRIC PASSPORT HOLDERS FROM MACEDONIA, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A VISA FOR STUDIES UNDER 90 DAYS. |
As it is a Schengen visa, it also allows you to visit the 25 other Schengen States as a tourist :
| Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia |
| Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary |
| Iceland | Italy | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg |
| Malta | The Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal |
| Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland |
2. How to make an appointment ?
For security reasons, all applicants, except children under the age of 6, have to appear personally at the Consulate General of France in Chicago.
The visa section is open to the public on an appointment basis, with no walk-ins allowed.
Make an appointment by clicking here
To use the system, the following configuration is required :
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Mozilla 1.7.8 and higher
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 and higher
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allow pop-ups
IF YOU CANNOT PRINT YOUR CONFIRMATION RECEIPT IT IS NOT A PROBLEM. Simply show up on the date and time of your appointment .
No appointment can be made by phone or by e-mailing us. If you are not able to attend, please free a slot by canceling your appointment.
Make sure you bring all the required documents when coming to the Consulate General.
3. Processing time
Processing time depends on your citizenship :
15 days is the average processing time if you are a citizen from :
| Afghanistan | Algeria | Bahrain |
| Bangladesh | Belarus | Burma |
| Burundi | Congo DRC | Egypt |
| Indonesia | Iran | Iraq |
| Jordan | Kazakhstan | North Korea |
| Kuwait | Lebanon | Libya |
| Mali | Mauritania | Morocco |
| Niger | Nigeria | Oman |
| Pakistan | Palestinians | Philippines |
| Qatar | US Re-entry permit | US Refugee travel doc |
| Rwanda | Saudi Arabia | Sudan |
| Surinam | Syria | Tunisia |
| Yemen | United Arab Emirates | Vietnam |
| Zimbabwe |
Applications cannot be processed more than 3 months ahead of time.
4. Requirements
| Please provide us with the original + 1 copy of each document. The visa section does not make any copies, you must bring your documents and the required copies. |
- Original passport or travel document (+ ONE COPY of the identity pages) valid for at least three months after your return to the US. Make sure your passport has blank pages left to affix the visa.
- Processing fee
- One application form filled out completely and signed by the applicant (please read carefully the explanations).
- One ID picture glued/stapled onto the application form
Two application forms and two photographs are required for citizens of the following countries : Afghanistan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Azerbaidjan, Bahrein, Egypt, United Arabs Emirats, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, North Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lybia, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, as well as holders of re-entry permits and refugee travel documents. - A valid U.S. permanent residence card ("green card") or a valid U.S. visa with valid I-94 or valid I-20, or an Advance Parole document.
We do NOT accept applications from B1/B2 visa holders. They must apply in their country of residence
For Camerounese citizens willing to enter Germany, please note that you must present a valid Camerounese Identity card. - proof of registration in a university or school in France
- Proof of registration in a US school or university
- Financial guarantee such as a notarized statement certifying that the applicant will be provided with a monthly allowance of $800.00 for the duration of his/her stay in France, or a proof of personal income along with a letter from school stating that room, board, and tuition are fully prepaid. If you pay for your own expenses, you have to bring your two last bank statements.
- Your travel itinerary. Do not purchase tickets until the visa has been approved.
- Proof of medical coverage abroad : a letter from your insurance company stating that you are covered abroad or a travel insurance to be purchased from a travel agency (minimum amount of 40,000 US$)
- If the applicant is under 18 years old and travelling without his parents:
- notarized copy of his (her) birth certificate
- notarized authorization from both parents allowing their child to travel to France or from the parent exercising full custody of the child according to the divorce decree.
- if you are divorced : certified copy of divorce decree stating that you have full custody of the child(ren).
- A self-addressed prepaid EXPRESS MAIL envelope from the US POST OFFICE ONLY - NO FEDEX / UPS / AIRBORNE EXPRESS accepted.
Please do NOT stick the mailing label on the envelope and fill out as follows :
| FROM: |
|---|
| CONSULATE GENERAL OF FRANCE 205N. Michigan Ave, Suite 3700 CHICAGO, IL 60601 |
| TO: |
|---|
| Your full name Your address |
5. Important information
- The consular administration has full authority to evaluate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant.
- Please be aware that submitting the aforementioned documents does not guarantee the approval of the visa.
- Please note that holders of Schengen visas are still subject to immigration control upon first entry into a Schengen country. The visa itself does not grant the right to enter the Schengen space.
Last update: 12/21/2009