Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and BNO passports

Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and BNO passports holders do not require a short stay (less than 90 days) visa to enter France or the others countries in the Schengen Space except when exercising a paid activity.

If your stay of study exceeds 90 days, you need a visa even if you hold HKSAR, Macau SAR and BNO passports.

The processing fee for a long stay student visa is somewhere around 1,200 HKD. We advise you to bring adequate amount in cash.

Exchange students who go to France for more than 3 months and less than 6 months will be issued with a Long Stay Temporary Visa (exempted from the 'carte de séjour). Please note that "exchange students" benefit a reduction on this "processing fee" of the visa.

Three key points to bear in mind :

1 - A tourist visa cannot be converted into a student visa in France or in any other country of the European Union.

2 - If you plan to attend two programs in succession (such as program In French as a foreign language followed by an academic program), obtain admission to both programs before applying for your visa so that your visa will be valid for your entire period of study. French visas cannot be extended in France.

3 - International students (other than European Union nationals) residing in France for more than three months must obtain a "student" residence permit called as "carte de séjour" (which is distinct from a visa), within two months of their arrival in France. This is applicable only when you get a Long Stay visa marked "carte de séjour à solliciter à l'arrivée". Such type of visa is issued for students whose study programmes exceed 6 months. For a stay below 6 months (especially for exchange students), you will be issued a Temporary Long Stay Visa marked "dispensé de carte de séjour" (which means you are exempted in asking this student resident permit card).

Visa renewal

Please do note that a "visa" cannot be renewed in France. Only a "Student Resident Card (Carte de séjour)" can be renewed in France.

Student Resident Cards (Carte de séjour) are automatically renewed regardless of the student's nationality, provided that he or she can produce the documentation required to justify continuation of study.

Hence, if you have a Short Stay visa or a Temporary Long Stay visa ( the visa which exempts you from "Carte de Séjour") you need to come back to Hong Kong to apply for another visa if you wish to pursue your studies.

Please check out the French Consulate website to know about Student Visa procedures (necessary documents, student visa interview, processing fee for the visa etc.)