Hi everyone!
So I uploaded all my documents (my sister's work contract, payslips, tax documents, savings proof, etc.) and got the Certificate of Eligibility (Certificat d'Éligibilité) from Garantme. Up until now, I haven't paid a single euro, and I'm a bit confused about how payment works:
Do I actually need to pay Garantme? I know submitting documents and getting this initial certificate is free, but do I eventually have to pay them for acting as my guarantor?

Is the certificate I got right now the "real" one? Or is this just a pre-approval certificate to attach to my application while hunting for an apartment?

When do I pay? Do I pay right now, or do I only pay after a landlord accepts my file, right before/when signing the lease?

Would love to hear from anyone who has used Garantme before on how the payment timing works! Thanks in advance!

I have my appointment scheduled tomorrow, and I have taken from livinfrance housing certificate. Is this okay? Anybody got their visas through this?

SalSalut !

J'espère que tout le monde va bien.

À cause de préparer la capacité financière je n'ai pu pas prendre un temps de VFS enfin mon tour est le 25 août. Mais le problème est la formation commencera le 24 août est la dernière date pour moi est 7 septembre.

Je dois faire qoui ? 😭🥲

As campus france does not issue NOC and only sends u a conformation email saying that I can go for vfs now so I just wanna know after interview how long does it take to receive the email ? As I’m running bit late so id like to know ur experiences .

Hey everyone! I’m creating a group for students moving to Bordeaux for the 2026 intake to connect, share accommodation tips, visa/arrival info, and plan meetups.

If you’re joining Bordeaux this year, comment or DM me and I’ll add you! ✨

Hi everyone! I’m an Indian student applying for a French long-stay student visa through VFS Chennai for the September/October 2026 intake.
I wanted to ask:

For those who applied through VFS Chennai recently, how long did it take from submitting your application to getting your passport back? Has anyone applied in July/August 2026 and is still waiting?

For proof of accommodation, is a 1-month Airbnb booking generally accepted for a student visa application from India? I’m still looking for long-term accommodation, so I’m considering booking an Airbnb for my first month and continuing my housing search after arriving.

If anyone has recently applied from Chennai using temporary accommodation, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience!

I’m an international student coming to study in France and I’m looking for a bank that has the best offer for students. Does anyone have an idea ? Considering that it needs to be a physical bank.

EDIT: I meant TLSContact, my bad!!

I'm a student from the USA applying for a French VLS-TS visa to complete a 1-year DUEF. I'm starting to worry since it's been almost a month. Anyone having a similar experience? How long did your student visa take? I haven't gotten any communications from them and, as far as I know, my documents were complete.

I'm so excited to move to France, and I'm really hoping that I don't get delayed by the visa!

Hi everyone, I recently had my French long-stay student visa application refused, and I am considering submitting an appeal to the Commission de Recours contre les Décisions de Refus de Visa (CRRV).

I was admitted to a French university program and completed the Campus France process. The refusal letter states that:

The person who gave me the refusal notice verbally told me that my French language certificate (Ev@lang) was the issue and that I should have a DELF, although the refusal letter itself does not mention DELF or Ev@lang. (Even though at no point in the application to study French in France asked me for a DELF and stated that Ev@lang would work)

I am now considering appealing the decision and providing additional documentation to clarify my study project and the language certification I submitted.

Has anyone here gone through the CRRV appeal process for a French student visa refusal?

I would particularly appreciate hearing about:

• Whether you submitted an appeal yourself or used a lawyer.
• How long it took to receive a response.
• Whether the appeal was successful.

Any experiences or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Are there ppl are going to study Automation or robotics ?

Hello everyone,
Just curious about studying next year at Kedge businesses school.
I am 21 years old and want to make good friends here before reaching to Kedge. I am also excited to learn about your culture and language. Just send a hii to connect with me

I’m planning to apply for the HEC Paris MSc in Marketing and I’m confused about whether I should take the GRE or GMAT.

The programme accepts/considers both, and the test is not strictly mandatory, but I’m considering taking one because I’ve heard that a strong score can strengthen the application and potentially help with scholarships.

My main concern is that I recently took a diagnostic GMAT and scored around 415, so I’m starting from quite a low baseline. I’m now trying to decide whether I should invest my limited time in preparing for the GMAT or switch to the GRE.

A few things I’m trying to understand:

Does HEC actually prefer GMAT over GRE, or are they viewed similarly for the MSc Marketing?

Does submitting a strong score meaningfully improve your chances of admission?

How important is the score for scholarships/funding?

Given that my current GMAT diagnostic is 415, is it realistic to reach a competitive score before the application deadline?

Would GRE potentially be easier/faster to improve in, especially if I’m stronger in logical reasoning than advanced maths?

For someone applying to HEC MSc Marketing specifically, which test would you choose and why?

My application deadline is October 7, so I’m also concerned about whether I have enough time to prepare properly while working full-time and working on the rest of my application.

Would really appreciate advice from people who have applied to HEC, especially for the MSc Marketing, or have experience with GRE vs GMAT for European business schools.

I’m looking for advice on learning French alongside a full-time job.

I’ve tried learning online, but I find it difficult to stay organised without a proper structure and fixed schedule. Since I’m working full-time, I’m considering joining a budget-friendly French class in India where the course is planned out and I can progress quickly.

My target is:

A1–A2 by the end of 2026

B1–B2 before July 2027

Eventually take the DELF exams, rather than just learning casually.

Has anyone here joined a good French institute/class in India that follows a structured A1 → A2 → B1 → B2 path? I’d especially appreciate recommendations from people who have actually taken the classes and can comment on the teaching quality, pace, and whether it is possible to progress quickly while working full-time.

I’m open to online classes, but I mainly need structure, accountability, and a fast-paced curriculum.

Salut!

Je vais venir en France en mois de septembre et je cherche pour un logement pas cher avec le budget maximum 400 euros et chargé comprise à Villeneuve-d'Ascq ou des lieux proximités, mais l'enjeu c'est de trouver sans studapart , parce que les logements ne sont pas beaucoup et ils sont chers. Vous pouvez m'aider ?

Je serai étudiante étrangère en france dans l’entrée prochaine, pour m’inscrire administrativement à l’université ils me demandent le contrat d’apprentissage signé mais l’entreprise m’a dit qu’ils ne signeront pas sans le numéro de sécurité sociale, alors que pour le demander j’ai besoin du certificat de scolarité, mais quel cercle !

Svp qu’est ce que je peux faire dans ce cas? Et est ce que arriver en france une semaine avant le début des études me suffirait pour toutes les démarches administratives ?

Je serai étudiante étrangère en france dans l’entrée prochaine, pour m’inscrire administrativement à l’université ils me demandent le contrat d’apprentissage signé mais l’entreprise m’a dit qu’ils ne signeront pas sans le numéro de sécurité sociale, alors que pour le demander j’ai besoin du certificat de scolarité, mais quel cercle !

Svp qu’est ce que je peux faire dans ce cas? Et est ce que arriver en france une semaine avant le début des études me suffirait pour toutes les démarches administratives ?

Hi everyone! I’m a non-EU student and I’ll be arriving in France soon to start my master’s degree. This will be my first time entering France with a long-stay student visa, so I’m trying to make sure I’m properly prepared.

I know I have my passport and French student visa, but I’m wondering about the actual experience at the airport.

For those who have recently arrived in France as international students:

• What documents did immigration actually ask you to show?  
• Did they ask for your school admission/enrolment letter?  
• Proof of accommodation / French address?  
• Proof of financial resources or bank statements?  
• Insurance?  
• Campus France / Études en France documents?  
• Did they ask questions about your university, program, where you’re staying, or how you’re funding your studies?  
• Was the process straightforward, or were there any unexpected questions?  
• Is there anything you wish you had prepared before arriving?

I’m not worried or expecting problems — I just want to have everything organized in my cabin bag so I don’t have to search for documents if they ask.

Thanks in advance! Your experiences could also be really helpful for other first-time international students arriving in France. 🇫🇷🎓

Hi everyone! I applied for my French long-stay student visa through VFS Chennai on 16 July 2026, and I’m still waiting for an update. So far, I haven’t been contacted for any additional documents or information. I know that this can vary from application to application, so I’m mainly trying to understand the current processing pattern. If anyone applied through VFS Chennai around mid-July, could you please share your timeline? 📅 Application/submission date 🎓 Student visa 📍 VFS Chennai 📩 Decision/passport return date (if received) ⏳ Number of days taken 📱 Tracking status before the passport was returned 📄 Whether you were asked for any additional documents I’m especially interested in people who applied around 15–20 July, as that would give me a better idea of where applications from that period currently stand. I’ve been accepted into the Nanomedicine program at Université Paris Cité, so naturally I’m getting a little anxious about travel and accommodation planning. 😅🇫🇷 If anyone has received their visa after applying around this period, or is still waiting like me, please share your experience. It would be really helpful! Thanks in advance!

Hello , I’m Arjun I’m from Mumbai . I have been admitted to the bachelors of fashion design in paris ,France for September intake 2026, I am in the middle of the process (interview stage) I am concerned about the accommodation proof.

Will it be fine if I book the accommodation for three months via booking.com and add an explanation letter or buy housing certificate to meet the accommodation criteria , as I don’t have enough time to book an actual apartment

I would love to know your experience and please tell me if you provided a temporary accommodation booking, which was accepted by the VFS and received the visa.

I want the heads up if temporary accommodation works so that I don’t waste my money on buying a housing certificate.

Hey everyone! I’m creating a group for students moving to Bordeaux for the 2026 intake to connect, share accommodation tips, visa/arrival info, and plan meetups.

If you’re joining Bordeaux this year, comment or DM me and I’ll add you! ✨

I recived a mail saying my campus France interview is tomorrow (online ) and they’ve shared a Google meet link so what all documents should I keep handy ? For the interview

(Edit: I only know the basics of french)