Bank Statements: Meeting France's Student Visa Financial Requirements for 2027-2028

Planning to study in France for the 2027-2028 academic intake? Before selecting your university, course or city, one of the most important steps is to understand how you will finance your education and living expenses.

Your bank statements, education loan, sponsor's income and tuition fee arrangements can all play an important role in preparing your France student visa application. Students should plan their finances early rather than waiting until the visa appointment is approaching.

From 1 August 2026, the published minimum financial resources requirement for relevant French long-stay student visa applicants increased from €615 to €877.50 per month. Students preparing for the 2027-2028 intake should verify the latest applicable amount and document requirements before applying.

1. What Is the France Student Visa Financial Requirement for 2027-2028?

France requires international students applying for relevant long-stay student visas to demonstrate sufficient financial resources for their stay. The published minimum monthly amount increased to €877.50 from 1 August 2026, replacing the previous €615 threshold.

This is a living-resources benchmark. It is separate from university tuition fees, and students should not assume that demonstrating the monthly living-funds amount automatically covers their full educational costs.

For students planning the 2027-2028 intake, it is important to confirm whether this amount remains applicable when submitting the visa application.

2. How Much Living Funds Should You Plan For?

The following table calculates estimated living funds using €877.50 per month. These are mathematical planning estimates, not a guarantee that the same evidence or amount will apply to every visa application.

3. Should Students Plan for the Entire Course Duration?

Our recommendation is to prepare a financial plan covering the full duration of the programme, even when the applicable visa process asks for evidence relating to a particular period.

For a two-year master's degree, consider:

• Tuition fees for both academic years.
• Living expenses and accommodation.
• Travel, insurance and initial settlement costs.
• Other university-related expenses.
• An appropriate reserve for unexpected costs.

Planning for the full course helps students and their families understand the overall financial commitment and avoid relying on uncertain future funding.

4. Example: Rennes School of Business - Two-Year Programme

Consider an illustrative student planning a two-year master's programme at Rennes School of Business. For this example, assume tuition fees of €14,000 per year. Students must confirm the actual fees for their selected programme and intake directly with the institution.

In this example, the student should plan for approximately €49,060 for tuition and living funds, before accounting for travel, insurance and other additional costs.

How could the student arrange the funds?

One possible arrangement is an education loan combined with genuine family savings. For instance, a student may obtain an education loan of approximately 35 lakh and use documented sponsor resources to cover the remaining costs.

Another student may have a larger sanctioned education loan covering most of the planned expenses. The family should still calculate whether additional funds are needed for initial settlement costs, expenses not covered by the loan and emergencies.

As a financial-planning measure, some families may choose to retain an additional reserve of 12-15 lakh, depending on their circumstances. This is a suggested reserve rather than an official French visa minimum.

5. Example: EPITA School of Engineering - 18-Month Programme

Consider a student planning an 18-month programme at EPITA. For illustration, assume total tuition fees of €18,000. The student must confirm the actual fee and payment schedule for the chosen programme and intake.

In this example, the estimated tuition and living-funds budget is €33,795, excluding travel, insurance, accommodation deposits and other additional costs.

Possible funding arrangements

• An education loan covering tuition and eligible living expenses.
• A partial education loan combined with sponsor savings.
• Family savings and documented sponsorship.
• A scholarship combined with other eligible financial resources.

The student should make sure that the loan sanction letter, bank statements and sponsorship documents accurately explain the available resources and how the remaining expenses will be paid.

6. Can an Education Loan Be Used for a France Student Visa?

An education loan can form part of a student's financial plan. The important consideration is whether the loan is genuine, adequately documented and accepted as evidence under the applicable application requirements.

Before applying, students should organise:

• The education loan sanction letter.
• Loan terms and disbursement conditions.
• Evidence of any amount already disbursed, where relevant.
• Tuition fee receipts or payment confirmations, where applicable.
• Bank statements for additional available funds.
• Sponsor income evidence and a sponsorship declaration, where applicable.

Do not assume that the entire sanctioned loan amount is immediately available cash. Check the disbursement schedule and confirm how the loan will cover tuition and living costs.

7. Sponsor Bank Statements and Income Proof

For students whose parents or other eligible sponsors are funding their education, bank statements help explain the availability of money. However, the balance alone may not demonstrate the complete financial position.

Depending on the funding arrangement and the applicable checklist, useful supporting documents may include:

• Recent bank statements of the student and sponsor.
• A sponsorship letter or declaration.
• Identity documents for the sponsor.
• Income tax returns and supporting tax documents, where required.
• Salary slips and employment evidence for salaried sponsors.
• Business and income records for self-employed sponsors.
• Education loan documents, where applicable.

How many months of bank statements are needed?

Students should follow the latest instructions for their specific visa application and funding category. Preparing recent bank statements and keeping income records readily available can make the process easier.

As a preparation measure, families may organise two to three years of income tax returns and six months of salary slips where available. These are useful records to prepare, but they should not be treated as universal mandatory periods for every applicant.

What if there is a large deposit in the sponsor's account?

A significant recent deposit may require an explanation. If the money comes from a legitimate source such as a property sale, fixed-deposit maturity, business transaction or another documented source, retain supporting evidence.

Students should not use unexplained deposits or temporarily borrowed funds to create a misleading impression of financial capacity. All information should be genuine and consistent.

For the applicable document list, consult Campus France India and France-Visas.

8. Can Parents Sponsor a Student's Education in France?

Parents can provide financial support for a student's studies, subject to the applicable requirements and appropriate documentation.

If your parents are sponsoring you, make sure the documents explain:

1. Who is sponsoring your studies.
2. How much the sponsor intends to contribute.
3. Whether the funds come from savings, employment, business income or another legitimate source.
4. How tuition fees and living expenses will be covered.
5. What documents support the sponsor's financial position.

If several family members contribute, the sponsorship declarations and financial documents should clearly explain each contribution and avoid inconsistencies.

9. Official Living-Funds Requirement vs Actual Living Costs

The official monthly financial threshold is a benchmark for demonstrating sufficient resources. It is not necessarily the amount every student will spend each month.

Actual living costs depend on the city, accommodation, transport, food and personal circumstances. Students sharing accommodation may spend less on rent than students living alone, while accommodation deposits and initial settlement expenses can increase the first month's budget.

Prepare two budgets:

• Visa financial plan: the applicable financial threshold and evidence required under the visa instructions.
• Personal living budget: realistic estimates for rent, food, transport, utilities, insurance and other expenses.

A lower personal spending estimate does not automatically remove the requirement to demonstrate the prescribed financial resources.

10. Common Financial-Document Mistakes to Avoid

• Using the old €615 monthly figure without checking the current applicable requirement.
• Forgetting to include tuition fees in the overall financial plan.
• Assuming an education loan automatically covers all expenses.
• Providing bank statements with unexplained large deposits.
• Failing to provide sponsor income evidence when required.
• Using inconsistent tuition fee figures across documents.
• Treating an additional savings reserve as an official visa rule.
• Assuming that a particular bank balance guarantees visa approval.

11. France Student Visa Financial Checklist for Indian Students

• Confirm the latest tuition fees and payment schedule.
• Calculate living funds using the applicable monthly requirement.
• Prepare a budget for the entire programme duration.
• Obtain the education loan sanction letter, if applicable.
• Collect recent bank statements for the student and sponsors.
• Prepare sponsorship and identity documents, where required.
• Organise ITRs, salary slips or other evidence of income, as applicable.
• Keep documents explaining significant bank deposits.
• Check the latest official financial-document checklist.
• Ensure that all information is consistent throughout the application.

12. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum financial requirement for a France student visa in 2027-2028?

The published monthly financial-resources threshold increased to €877.50 from 1 August 2026. Students applying for the 2027-2028 intake should verify the latest amount and applicable requirements before submitting their application.

How much money should I plan for a two-year master's degree in France?

The total depends on tuition fees, living expenses and other costs. Using €877.50 per month as an illustrative calculation, living funds for 24 months equal €21,060. Add the confirmed tuition fees and other relevant expenses to estimate the full budget.

Can I use an education loan instead of sponsor savings?

An education loan can form part of your financial evidence, subject to the applicable requirements and documentation. Whether additional sponsor funds are needed depends on your circumstances and the terms of the loan.

Should I keep 12-15 lakh in my sponsor's bank account?

This amount may be a useful financial-planning reserve for some families, but it is not a universal French student visa requirement. Plan according to your total costs, loan coverage and available genuine funds.

Are two to three years of ITRs compulsory?

Not necessarily for every applicant. Requirements vary according to the funding arrangement and current instructions. Additional income records can help explain a sponsor's financial position, but check the official checklist for your application.

Does showing more money guarantee a France student visa?

No. Financial evidence is only one part of a visa application. Applicants must meet all applicable requirements and submit genuine, consistent documents. No specific bank balance guarantees approval.

Where can I check the official France student visa requirements?

Visit France-Visas and Campus France India for the latest official guidance.

Conclusion: Plan Your Finances Before Applying to Study in France

Financial preparation is an important part of planning to study in France for the 2027-2028 intake. Students should understand the applicable monthly financial-resources requirement, confirm tuition fees, calculate living expenses, and prepare evidence that clearly explains the availability and source of funds.

A well-organised funding plan can help students and families understand the full financial commitment and prepare their documentation more confidently.