France Raises Student Visa Financial Requirement by Nearly 43% from August 2026

France Raises Student Visa Financial Requirement by Nearly 43% from August 2026

France has introduced an important financial change for international students planning to apply for a French student visa.

Effective 1 August 2026, students submitting an application for a French long-stay student visa must demonstrate financial resources of at least €877.50 per month.

The previous requirement was €615 per month. This represents an increase of approximately 42.7%, or nearly 43%.

The updated requirement has been confirmed by the official France-Visas portal and Campus France India. It applies to long-stay student visa applications submitted on or after 1 August 2026.

France Student Visa Financial Requirement: Key Update

ParticularPrevious requirementNew requirementMonthly financial resources€615€877.50Requirement for 12 months€7,380€10,530Increase per month—€262.50Increase for 12 months—€3,150Effective dateUntil 31 July 2026From 1 August 2026

The new amount corresponds to 47% of France’s gross monthly minimum wage, commonly known as the SMIC. The change was introduced under Decree No. 2026-526 dated 22 June 2026.

How Much Money Must a Student Show?

The required amount depends on the duration for which financial resources need to be demonstrated.

Estimated financial requirement by duration

DurationMinimum funds required6 months€5,2659 months€7,897.5010 months€8,77511 months€9,652.5012 months€10,530

For example, a student required to demonstrate funds for a complete 12-month period may need to show at least:

€877.50 × 12 months = €10,530

Students should remember that this amount is intended to demonstrate their ability to cover living expenses. It is separate from tuition fees, visa charges, travel expenses and other costs associated with studying in France.

From Which Date Does the New Rule Apply?

The applicable requirement is based mainly on the date on which the student visa application is submitted.

Applications submitted by 31 July 2026

Applications submitted to the visa centre or French consular authority on or before 31 July 2026 may be assessed using the previous requirement of €615 per month.

Applications submitted from 1 August 2026

Applications submitted from 1 August 2026 onwards must include financial evidence corresponding to at least €877.50 per month.

Therefore, students should not assume that starting an online application before 1 August automatically allows them to use the old financial threshold. The actual submission circumstances and instructions issued by the relevant visa authority will matter.

What Happens During the Transition Period?

Campus France has explained that a transitional arrangement may apply during the current student visa campaign.

A student may have completed the France-Visas application while the older amount of €615 was still displayed. In such a case, if the application is submitted after the new rule takes effect, the visa authority may request additional evidence showing that the applicant meets the updated amount of €877.50 per month.

This does not necessarily mean that the application will automatically be refused. However, applicants may be asked to provide supplementary financial documents before a decision is made.

Students with pending or upcoming appointments should therefore prepare financial evidence based on the new requirement.

How Can Students Demonstrate Financial Resources?

Depending on the applicant’s circumstances and the documents requested through the France-Visas assistant, financial resources may be demonstrated through:

• Personal savings or funds held by the student
• Financial support from a parent, relative or guarantor
• A scholarship or education funding award
• An approved student loan or other acceptable financial arrangement
• A combination of acceptable financial sources

Campus France states that resources may be supported through personal savings, a financial guarantor, a scholarship or other documents accepted by the French authorities.

The exact documentary requirements can differ depending on the applicant’s country, sponsor, programme duration and personal circumstances. Applicants should follow the document checklist generated through the official France-Visas application.

What Should Sponsored Students Prepare?

Students whose education and living expenses are being supported by their parents or another sponsor should prepare clear and consistent financial documentation.

Depending on the checklist issued for the application, the file may need to establish:

• The sponsor’s relationship with the student
• The sponsor’s ability to provide financial support
• The source and availability of funds
• A clear commitment to cover the student’s expenses
• Consistency between the sponsorship documents, bank records and visa application

Sudden unexplained deposits or inconsistent financial information may create questions during the assessment. Students should maintain a transparent and properly documented financial profile.

Does the New Requirement Apply to Current Students in France?

The revised threshold is also relevant to international students who are already studying in France and later apply to renew their student residence permit.

For renewals, students must generally demonstrate monthly resources equal to the threshold applicable at the time of renewal. From 1 August 2026, that level is €877.50 per month.

Renewal applicants must also demonstrate the serious nature of their studies through factors such as enrolment, attendance, academic progress, examination results and qualifications obtained.

Therefore, the change is not limited only to first-time student visa applicants.

What Does This Mean for Indian Students?

The increase may have a significant impact on the financial planning of Indian students applying for France.

Previously, the 12-month financial calculation was:

€615 × 12 = €7,380

Under the new requirement, it becomes:

€877.50 × 12 = €10,530

This means a student may need to demonstrate an additional €3,150 for a 12-month period, compared with the previous threshold.

Campus France India has officially advised applicants to account for the revised amount while preparing their French student visa applications.

Students should reassess their complete study budget, including:

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation and security deposit
• Monthly living expenses
• Travel and flight costs
• Health insurance
• Visa and administrative charges
• Emergency funds
• Foreign-exchange fluctuations

Steps Students Should Take Before Applying

1. Recalculate the required funds

Calculate the minimum amount based on €877.50 per month and the period for which resources must be demonstrated.

2. Review existing financial documents

Students who prepared their documents using the previous €615 threshold should update their calculations and supporting evidence.

3. Speak with the sponsor

Where parents or relatives are sponsoring the application, they should be informed about the increased financial requirement as early as possible.

4. Maintain transparent financial records

The source of funds should be clear, consistent and supported by the appropriate documentation.

5. Check the official visa checklist

Use the France-Visas visa assistant and follow the checklist generated for the applicant’s specific situation.

6. Avoid waiting until the appointment date

Preparing additional funds and supporting documents may take time. Students should begin the process well before their visa appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new France student visa financial requirement?

The new minimum requirement is €877.50 per month for applicable long-stay student visa applications submitted from 1 August 2026.

What was the previous requirement?

The previous financial threshold was €615 per month.

By what percentage has the requirement increased?

The amount has increased by approximately 42.7%, which is nearly 43%.

How much is required for 12 months?

For 12 months, the calculation is:

€877.50 × 12 = €10,530

The exact amount and period to be demonstrated should follow the applicant’s official visa checklist.

Does this amount include tuition fees?

No. The financial-resource threshold is intended to demonstrate the student’s capacity to support their living expenses. Tuition fees and other study-related expenses should be planned separately.

Does the rule apply to applications submitted before 1 August 2026?

Applications submitted by 31 July 2026 may be assessed using the previous €615 monthly threshold. Applications submitted from 1 August 2026 are subject to the revised requirement.

Can a parent sponsor the student?

Financial support from a guarantor or sponsor may be accepted, subject to the supporting documents required by the French authorities. The sponsor’s financial capacity and relationship with the applicant should be properly documented.

Will showing €10,530 guarantee visa approval?

No. Meeting the financial threshold is only one part of a student visa application. The authorities may also assess admission, accommodation, academic plans, supporting documents and the applicant’s overall circumstances.

Final Takeaway

France remains a leading destination for international students, but applicants now need to prepare a stronger financial file.

From 1 August 2026, the minimum financial-resource requirement for relevant long-stay student visa applications has increased from €615 to €877.50 per month.

For a 12-month period, this means demonstrating approximately €10,530, compared with the previous amount of €7,380.

Indian students planning to study in France should update their budgets, review sponsorship arrangements and prepare the required evidence before submitting their visa application.

For professional assistance with French university applications, Campus France procedures and student visa documentation, students can contact Clear My Udaan.

Clear My Udaan
Study Abroad | Student Visa | IELTS | PTE
Website: www.clearmyudaan.com

Disclaimer: Visa requirements and document checklists may change. Applicants should verify the latest instructions through France-Visas, Campus France India and the relevant French consular authority before applying.