#essec

0) Passport

As soon as you know you’re going abroad, please check your passport. You’ll need valid at least three months after departure from host country.

1) Get appropriate documents from school and accommodation

In particular, you will need a letter of acceptance from host university and proof of accommodation for first three months. Nothing else gets done without these, so I would advise collecting them as soon as possible. +Bonus: Have proof of registration in your home university, for example a transcript. It’s not necessary but will make the process go faster.

2) Apply for Etudes en France and Campus France 

I’ve attached a link below which explains the process very well. You’ll be asked to pay 250$ for 3 week service or 360$ for 3 days. Doing this first will keep your prices down. https://www.usa.campusfrance.org/application-overview

3) Fill out France-Visas Application

This step can be done before step three, but the sooner 3) is set into motion the better. You essentially fill in information about your trip. I don’t recall having to get any special information other than that which I already had. Also, it’s 3 AM where I am - message me and I’ll make a more descriptive version of this. Get all documents listed in the checklist, including bank statements. 

4) Set up a VFS Account and In-Person Appointment

Especially with the pandemic, this needs to be carefully done. Using your EEF ID, you’ll be able to set up an appointment with VFS. The location will determine the hours, but give yourself plenty of time to arrive and be calm. You’ll likely be scanned for metal and signed in before you can actually attend the appointment. Print out proof of your appointment  - you can’t go in without it. I’ve attached a link to the VFS website.   https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/index.html

5) Attend the Interview

It’s not very stressful - more than anything, your documents are checked for accuracy and your fingerprints are taken. Use the checklist included in your France-Visas Application. So long as you have everything on that list, you should be fine. After the interview, it’s out of your hands. You’ll be given a tracking number, and if there’s anything wrong you will be contacted, but it should be smooth sailing. 

+ Bonus documents

If you have a guarantor - Have your parents send in a copy of their licenses and proof of sponsorship. An emailing stating this will be enough. If you’re a minor, your parents will be in attendance anyway. 

Receipt of EEF payment. You can’t get your EEF without it, so it’s assumed. Still, having the actual document on hand makes the process so much faster.