From 1 August 2026, non-EU students applying for a French long-stay visa (VLS-TS) or first residence permit must prove they have at least €877.50 a month at their disposal—up from the long-standing €615 threshold. The change comes from Decree n° 2026-526 of 22 June 2026, published in the Journal officiel and now in force. The new amount corresponds to 60 % of the net monthly minimum wage (SMIC) and will be automatically adjusted each time the SMIC is re-valued. Campus France, consulates and préfectures started updating their guidance over the weekend, while the ANEF online residence-permit portal began rejecting applications that quote the old figure. For incoming degree and exchange students the higher bar could mean finding an extra €2,349 for a standard nine-month academic year. Those funded by scholarships must show award letters that meet—or top up to—the new level. Parents acting as financial guarantors likewise have to raise bank blocks or notarial affidavits to the updated figure. French banks are already reporting a spike in requests for larger blocked accounts from international students. Universities and grandes écoles worry that the sudden increase, announced only six weeks earlier, will deter last-minute admits, particularly from developing countries where currency controls make transferring funds costly. Several institutions told The Connexion they will reinforce hardship-grant budgets and advise students to front-load proof of housing to offset living-cost calculations. Practically, mobility managers should review offer letters, pre-arrival check-lists and corporate relocation budgets. HR teams sending assignees’ dependants on study visas should amend support packages immediately; applications quoting the outdated €615 figure risk an automatic refusal.
Source: Journal officiel / Légifrance
