Final steps before your arrival to France!
Joining 3iS as an international student is an exciting adventure! To ensure a smooth transition and successful start to your studies, a few essential steps must be completed before your departure.
Student Visa (for stays longer than 3 months)
If you plan to study in France at 3iS for more than 3 months, you may be required to obtain a student visa, depending on your nationality.
Please note that all visas must be obtained before your departure.
- Step 1: Campus France application
3iS is part of Campus France and its network of art schools, Campus Art. Campus France is the official French national agency for the promotion of higher education and the coordination of international student mobility.
- Visit the Campus France website: https://www.campusfrance.org/en.
- Use the interactive globe to access the specific procedures that apply to your country.
- Create an account and complete the Campus France online application, uploading your:
- admission letter from 3iS
- passport
- CV
- academic transcripts
- and other requested documents.
/!\ Important: The Campus France application is mandatory and must be validated before starting your visa request. Without it, a visa cannot be issued.
Once your Campus France application has been validated, you can apply for your long stay student visa (VLS-TS) on the official platform:
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/.You will find detailed instructions on the required documents, how to prepare your application, and how to schedule an appointment with the French Embassy or Consulate in your country.
Processing times may vary by consulate, so we strongly encourage you to start your procedures as early as possible.
Once in France, your VLS-TS must be validated by the French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) to serve as both your visa and residence permit.
Practical preparation tips
✔ Accommodation
- At the Paris campus, international students benefit from priority access to the 3iS student residence, only 3 minutes’ walk from the school.
- At other campuses, 3iS has established housing partnerships to help you find suitable accommodation options.
✔ Insurance & Healthcare
- All students must register with the French public health system upon arrival. Registration is free and mandatory, regardless of age.
- This coverage allows reimbursement of part or all of your medical expenses (doctor visits, hospitalization, prescriptions).
- We also recommend subscribing to additional health coverage (mutuelle) for greater reimbursement.
✔ Civil Liability & Accident Insurance
- All students must have valid civil liability and accident insurance for the duration of their studies.
- This insurance must be renewed at the beginning of each school year.
- If you already have coverage in your home country, you must provide the school with a valid insurance certificate, including coverage conditions and dates.
✔ Bank Account
Opening a French bank account is necessary to pay rent and manage your daily life in France.
✔ Cost of Living
Plan an estimated monthly budget between €800–1,000, depending on your lifestyle and the city where you study (Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Nantes, Avignon).
✔ Arrival in France
We recommend arriving at least one week before classes begin to finalize your accommodation, complete administrative steps, and get adjusted to your new environment.
To make your arrival even smoother, we also organize Integration Weeks at the beginning of the academic year.
At 3iS, we understand that moving to a new country is both exciting and challenging. Our International Office is here to guide and support you every step of the way — from visa procedures to settling into life on campus.
