Validate your student visa (VLS-TS)

Before you start

This applies to students whose visa is a VLS-TS (a long-stay visa that works as a residence permit). If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you do not have this visa and can skip this guide.

The law gives you 3 months from your arrival in France. EPITA asks all students to finish by 15 October 2026. Follow the earlier of the two dates.

Have these ready:

Your passport and your visa.
The date you entered France.
Your address in France, an email address and a phone number.
A way to pay online (bank card).

Steps

Open the ANEF portal (link above). Create an account, or log in if you already have one.
Choose the service called “Je valide mon VLS-TS”.
Fill in the information the form asks for.
Pay the tax online. Check the amount on the payment screen.
You receive the attestation of validation by email.
Save the attestation and print a copy. EPITA says you must carry a copy with you at all times.

After the first year

A VLS-TS is not renewed as a visa. After one year you apply for a student residence card instead. The official page says to apply no earlier than 4 months and no later than 2 months before your current document ends. EPITA says it will send the detailed procedure at that time.

Working on a student visa

You may work, but only up to 60% of full time. EPITA’s slide counts full time as 35 hours a week. The official figure is 964 hours per year. EPITA strongly advises against working in your first year, because timetables change often and classes take most of your time.

Common problems

Broken or missing link in the EPITA slide. Use the official links on this page.
Missed the deadline. Write to [email protected] as soon as you notice, in a formal email. Welcome Services handles visa questions.
Unsure about the tax. Do not pay through a third-party site. Only the official service takes the payment.
Cannot find the attestation. Check your spam folder first. If it is not there, ask [email protected].

Costs

See the note above. The amount is shown before you pay.

Common questions

Can I work on a student visa?

Yes, but only part time. EPITA says you may work up to 60% of full time, with full time counted as 35 hours a week. The official figure is 964 hours a year. EPITA strongly advises against working during your studies, because classes take all your time and schedules change often.

How much is the visa validation tax?

EPITA’s slide says 100 euros, and a service-public.gouv.fr page for students also shows 100 euros. Other websites quote 75 or 150 euros, so do not rely on them. The official service shows the exact amount on the payment screen before you pay. Check it there.