Hi,

I am British and have been studying at a University in France since September 2025 as part of a year abroad for my UK degree. I was only going to stay one semester but decided to stay for this second semester too. I am currently in France. My visa is a VLS-TS 5 month student visa and expires in just over two weeks, in mid February.

I intended to go back to the UK and get a new visa but I cannot submit a second Etudes en France (campus france) application. Therefore, it seems my only option is to renew the visa online.

However, it says I should apply for this 2-4 months before my visa expires. I read that if I apply late then I will have to pay a fine of around €170, which is fine for me so long as I can stay legally. But information varies from site to site, and I am quite worried that I am too late and that if I overstay my visa then I will get into trouble when I leave at the end of June.

My other thought was that I could possibly go home before my visa expires, and then return and finish my studies straight after exams in May, using my 90 days visa free. The university in France have said they have no business checking this so they don't require proof of a visa. I think my student accommodation may have the same approach.

I am really stressed, if someone could please give me some advice then that would be greatly appreciated. I know I have left this very late, I was expecting to apply for a new visa and have no issues but didn't know about the Campus France/ Etudes en France policy.

Many thanks in advance

I think that it is somewhat risky to have strangers on the internet offer you advice on visa matters. Whilst I know it would cost you, my advice would be to consult an immigration lawyer for some definitive advice.

The préfecture might be able to extend your visa. It doesn't hurt to ask in person.

This is the official French government website: Foreigners student in France: long-stay visa or residence permit | Service Public (service-public.gouv.fr)