Exchange students

The process is as follows (it is important that you follow it in the correct order):

1. Prepare your visa application and gather the necessary documents.
2. Complete the Etudes en France procedure.
3. Start your visa application on France-Visas.
4. Submit your application in person at a VFS Global visa application center in Canada.
5. Receive your visa and collect your passport.
6. Validate your visa within three months of your arrival in France.

Before starting your application, you must gather the following documents:
- A digital ID photo (this is a photo of your face, clearly visible, in JPG format, of good quality).
- A copy of your passport (PDF format, clearly visible)
- Transcript of higher education grades, including the current year.
- Letter of acceptance into the exchange program, including the program dates, your name, and a signature from the French institution.
- A resume (this is mandatory even for exchange students). It should include your academic and professional background.

It is not necessary to provide proof of French language proficiency for students going on a university exchange.

A step-by-step guide to completing Etudes en France is available at the bottom of the page to help you.

You must first register on the Etudes en France platform before applying for a visa.

Create your account, upload your supporting documents, and submit your application. A non-refundable application fee of CAD$150 will be charged after your application has been verified.

The Etudes en France procedure is completely paperless in Canada; everything is done online. The Campus France office in your district will validate your application, and you can then move on to the next step. Please note that the validation of your application and payment is not immediate, it can take approximately two weeks.

Please note that if you are nor a student nor resident in Canada, you cannot submit your application to Campus France Canada: please contact the Campus France office in your place of residence to find out the appropriate procedure.

For more information and assistance, visit the page “How to obtain a visa if you have been accepted into a French higher education program.”

Find the step-by-step guide to completing your application on Etudes en France here: The Etudes en France guide.

If you encounter any difficulties on the platform, you can contact peefcanada@campusfrance.org. 

IMPORTANT: the quality of your application affects the processing time.
Here are a few tips:

- Documents must be uploaded in the correct reading direction and must be legible.
- The ID photo must be a photo of you, not a photo from your passport or ID card.
- Exchange students must include a CV indicating their first and last names, academic background, and professional experience.
- You do not need to include proof of French language proficiency.
- Your EEF number can be found in your personal account. Please provide it when communicating with Campus France Canada.

The Etudes en France procedure must be completed before submitting a visa application in person. No long-stay student visa application will be processed without a completed Etudes en France procedure. Students are responsible for ensuring that their application is complete and for following up on it.

All visa applications for France are made on France-Visas. Create your account, fill out the online form, and gather your supporting documents.

Once your Etudes en France application has been approved, you can make an appointment to submit your visa application in person at the VFS service provider nearest you (Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, or Vancouver). VFS Global is the only organization authorized to receive visa applications for France in Canada: appointments are not made at a consulate.

VFS and the visa service will keep your passport while your visa application is being processed (you can track the status of your application online). You won't be able to travel while you don't have your passport. Once you have received your visa and retrieved your passport, you will be able to study in France.

Contacts:
VFS +1 403 775 6656
info.francecanada@vfsglobal.com

Students who have a Campus France file from another Espace can apply for a visa in Canada if they are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or have a valid residence permit in Canada. 

To do so: 
- Request the transfer by contacting the original Campus France office.
- Once the transfer has been completed, contact Campus France Canada to obtain a valid EEF number in order to make an appointment with VFS in Canada.

You can apply for a visa in another country where you are a regular resident (more than 3 months) or if you are a citizen of that country. Campus France Canada will transfer your file to the relevant Campus France office.

To do so:

- Contact Campus France Canada to request a transfer.
- Campus France Canada will verify the eligibility of your application.
- Once your file has been transferred, you can contact the relevant Campus France office.