France Student Visa Financial Requirement 2026 Update

France Student Visa Financial Requirement 2026: What Changed and Why France has formally increased the minimum financial proof required of non-EU international students applying for a student visa. This is the first change to the threshold in more than two decades and takes effect on  1 August 2026 .   Summary of the Change   Under the previous requirement, non-EU student visa applicants were required to demonstrate monthly proof of funds of €615, equivalent to approximately €7,380 for a full academic year. Under the new requirement, effective 1 August 2026, this amount has increased to €877.50 per month, bringing the estimated annual equivalent to approximately €10,530. The revised figure represents an increase of  €262.50 per month , or approximately 47 percent.   Legal Basis and Background   The previous threshold of €615 per month had remained unchanged since 2002, when it was set with reference to a student scholarship allowance. Under  Décret n° 2026-526 , signed on 22 June 2026 and published in the  Journal Official de la République Française  on 24 June 2026 (JORF No. 0146), the government has replaced this fixed reference with a new formula based on  47 percent of the gross SMIC  (France's national minimum wage).   This is a structural change, not a one-time adjustment. Because the requirement is now indexed to the SMIC, it will be reviewed and revised by ministerial order at least once annually, without requiring further legislation.   Who Is Affected   The updated threshold applies to:   New non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals applying for a French student visa (VLS-TS) for the first time   International students currently residing in France who are applying to renew their student residence permit   Both first-time applications and renewals submitted on or after  1 August 2026 , including in French overseas territories such as Wallis-et-Futuna, French Polynesia, and New Caledonia   Applications already under review prior to 1 August 2026 are not affected retroactively.   Accepted Documentation   The categories of acceptable proof of funds remain unchanged; only the required amount has increased. Applicants may continue to demonstrate financial capacity through:   Personal bank statements evidencing a stable balance