What type of visa do I need?
You will be applying for a “Visa D mineur scolarisé” or “Long Stay for Studies Visa: Minors Under 18” for France.
How do I apply for the visa?
You must apply for your visa through VFS Global, a visa processing agency contracted by the French Government to schedule visa appointments and conduct in-person visa interviews for the government’s consular offices. You will be required to apply in person with your passport and required documents. Depending on where you live, it may be necessary for you to travel to another state for your visa appointment.
What documents will I need to collect in order to apply for the visa?
- A listed of required documents will be sent to you by your Visa and Compliance Specialist.
*You will also need to contact your consulate for a finalized list of requirements.
When do I apply for the visa?
You must schedule a visa appointment online and then apply in-person at a VFS center (with your passport and required documents) within the specified timeline provided by your Visa and Compliance Specialist.
How much will the visa cost?
Are there any other expected costs?
There are many additional costs involved in obtaining, translating, notarizing or legalizing the required documents. There may also be additional costs associated with traveling to the consulate for an in-person appointment.
Are any of these costs covered in my AFS program tuition?
No, your program fee does not cover any of the costs related to obtaining your passport or visa.
Can I travel before the start of my program?
AFS recommends that you do not plan any travel outside of the United States in the 2 months prior to your program’s departure date. Obtaining a visa takes time and your passport is usually required for this. Should you choose to travel during this period and not allow enough time to procure your visa, you will run the risk of jeopardizing your travel arrangements and departing late.