Student Visa: What You Need to Know Before Studying at ACCORD Paris
So, you’ve decided to learn French in Paris. Congratulations, you’re about to start an unforgettable adventure! But before you picture yourself ordering une baguette bien cuite at your neighbourhood bakery or chatting with locals on a café terrace, there’s an important administrative step to sort out first: the visa.
Visa rules can feel confusing, especially when they depend on your nationality, the length of your stay, and the type of course you’re booking. To help you prepare with confidence, we’ve put together this practical guide answering the questions we hear most often from our future students. Here’s everything you need to know before packing your bags for Paris.
I Would Like to Follow a French Course at ACCORD. Do I Need a Visa to Book a Course?
No, you do not need a visa to study at ACCORD French Language School in Paris.
However, you may need a visa to enter France.
Do I Need a Visa to Come to France?
If you are a citizen of the European Union, a member state of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to come to France.
For students of other nationalities, depending on your nationality and the length of your stay, you may need a visa. There are several types of visas:
- Short-stay visa:
“Uniform Schengen” short-stay visa
Short-stay visas for non-European French territories
All information about these visas is on https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/visa-de-court-sejour - Long-stay visa:
For any stay in France exceeding 90 days, you are required to apply in advance for a long-stay visa. In this instance your nationality does not exempt you from requirements. There are two main types of long-stay visas.
All information about long-stay visas are on https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/visa-de-long-sejour
Can ACCORD French Language School Provide Me With a Visa?
No, ACCORD does not provide visas, as French language schools are not recognised and allowed to deliver a visa. If you have any questions about visas, please contact the French Embassy and/or the Campus France office nearest to you.
Important information: Due to the increase in the required income threshold for long-stay student visas, applications submitted starting August 1, 2026, will need to be accompanied by proof of income corresponding to a minimum of €877.50 per month.
More information on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/accueil
Is There an Official Website or a Webpage Where I Can Check My Visa Need?
Yes, here: https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/assistant-visa
Is an Online Visa Application Possible?
Yes, here: https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/demande-de-visa
Can ACCORD Language School Help Me Get a Visa?
Once we have received your complete registration (registration form and full payment by bank transfer for the programme or the requested and non-refundable deposit), we will send you an official letter of invitation also called letter of acceptance to be submitted with your application to the Embassy.
It is your responsibility to gather the other documents required by the embassy for your visa application (proof of income, passport, photos, payment of administrative fees, etc) and make sure you meet all eligibility criteria.
Are There Any Fees for Studying at the ACCORD French Language School in Paris?
Yes, and you can access our 2026 and 2027 tuition fees on our official website: https://www.accord-langues.com/accord-dates-and-prices/
How Do I Register for a French Language Program at ACCORD?
To book your French language course, you must complete an online registration form on https://www.accord-langues.com/adult-booking/
Can Any French Course Allow Me to Ask and Get a Visa?
No, usually French Embassies and Campus France offices ask for a course of minimum 20 hours per week. At ACCORD we recommend you to book the morning intensive course ‘A’ (20h or 26 lessons/week) or the PM2 afternoon course (20h or 26 lessons/week) which is a bit cheaper than the morning course A.
Tuition fees are, for example, 350 euro/week for a course ‘A’ booked for minimum 13 weeks in 2026 and 360 euro/week in 2027, and 280 euros/week for a PM2 course for minimum 13 weeks in 2026 and 305 euro/week in 2027.
After Completing the Online Booking Form, What Are the Next Steps?
At reception of your booking form, we will contact you by mail to ask you to send us the required documents (copy of your passport…) and our Bank details to allow you to make the payment by bank transfer of the full fees or the non-refundable deposit.
After reception of these documents, we will send you a letter of invitation and a certificate of registration if you have paid the full fees or a certificate of pre-registration if you have paid the non refundable deposit.
ACCORD reserves the right to cancel your enrolment if no payment has been received 1 month before the start of the requested course. Once payment has been received in full, you will be also sent a placement test which you will need to complete and return a minimum of one week prior to your course start date, so you are placed in the class of your level on your first day.
Can I Start a French Course Any Monday, at ACCORD?
If you are not at a beginner level, you can start a French course any Monday. For beginners, there’s a starting date beginning of each month. Exact beginners course start dates are published on our website on each course page, and they can be also downloaded from that webpage: https://www.accord-langues.com/accord-dates-and-prices/
What Happens if I Am Refused a Visa?
In case of visa refusal, the stay will be cancelled upon receipt of the visa refusal letter. To obtain a refund, you must send the original refusal document you have received from the French authorities. You can send a copy of the refusal document by email to inform us of your situation, but NO refund will be possible if ACCORD doesn’t receive by post the original document. We will then refund the stay, after deduction of the registration fee and bank charges, as mentioned in our Terms and Conditions’ webpage: https://www.accord-langues.com/accord-terms-and-conditions/
Ready to Start Your French Adventure?
Navigating visa rules may seem daunting at first, but with the right information and a bit of planning, it’s a very manageable step on the way to your new life in Paris. Thousands of international students go through this process every year to come and study with us, and soon, it could be your turn.
At ACCORD Paris, we’re here to support you throughout your journey, from your first registration to your first day of class in the 15th arrondissement, just steps from the Eiffel Tower. Our team will provide you with the documents you need for your visa application and guide you at every stage, so you can focus on what matters most: making real progress in French and enjoying every moment of your Parisian experience.
Still have questions about visas or your upcoming course?
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team, we’re always happy to help future students turn their Paris plans into reality.
