The new threshold is tied to France's minimum wage and adjusts automatically going forward — here's what it means for your visa application budget
France has raised the minimum monthly financial resources required for a long-stay student visa from €615 to €877.50, effective for applications filed from August 1, 2026. The change comes via Décret n° 2026-526, published in France's Journal officiel on June 24, 2026, and ties the requirement to 47% of the gross monthly SMIC (France's minimum wage) — meaning it's an indexed, recurring adjustment rather than a one-time policy tightening. Separately, Campus France India has also confirmed an increase in its Études en France (EEF) procedure fee, from ₹18,500 to ₹20,000.
Key Facts at a Glance
- New monthly financial requirement: €877.50 (up from €615) — €10,530 per year, up from €7,380
- Effective date: Applications filed from August 1, 2026 onward; applications filed through July 31, 2026 fall under the earlier €615 threshold
- Legal basis: Décret n° 2026-526 du 22 juin 2026, inserting new article R. 422-2 into France's immigration code (CESEDA)
- Why it changed: The requirement is now set at 47% of the gross monthly SMIC, so it will adjust automatically whenever the minimum wage is revalued — not a standalone decision targeting international students
- Études en France (EEF) fee: Increased from ₹18,500 to ₹20,000, per a Campus France India notice — separate from the visa fee (€50) and VLS-TS validation fee (€100)
What this means for applicants
Because the new threshold is indexed to the minimum wage rather than fixed by policy, it's reasonable to expect it will continue adjusting gradually over time rather than jumping again unpredictably. For budgeting purposes, applicants should plan around the full annual figure (€10,530) when preparing bank statements, sponsorship letters, or education loan sanctions, since that's what visa officers will check against.
This is a proof-of-funds requirement, not a tuition or living-cost change — it reflects what you need to demonstrate you can access, not what you're required to spend. Students with education loans, scholarships, or family sponsorship typically meet this through a combination of documents rather than a single lump sum, so it's worth checking with your visa counsellor on how to structure proof across sources.
What you can do
- If you're applying for intakes from August 2026 onward, budget your financial documentation around €877.50/month (€10,530/year), not the older €615 figure still quoted on some older guides.
- If you're finalising your Études en France application, factor in the revised ₹20,000 EEF fee alongside your visa and VLS-TS fees when planning your application budget.
- Start gathering proof-of-funds documentation (bank statements, loan sanction letters, sponsorship affidavits) early, since meeting a higher threshold with multiple sources can take more lead time than a single bank balance.
- If your application was filed before July 31, 2026, confirm with your visa counsellor which threshold applies to your specific file.
IRS Study Abroad, Kottayam, helps France-bound students prepare complete, accurate financial documentation for their visa applications — including guidance on combining loans, scholarships, and sponsorships to meet the current requirement.
