With a student VLS-TS, your first year comes down to three steps.

1. Within 3 months of your arrival, validate your visa online and pay €100 in tax. This process puts you in regular residence status and lets you cross the Schengen border again.

2. Once validated, your visa serves as your residence permit: no card to request upon arrival. It's valid for 4 months to 1 year.

3. Before expiration, request your student card only online, earliest 4 months and latest 2 months before validity ends. You immediately receive a digital proof of filing.

According to service-public.fr, the student rate for tax stamps is €150 for initial issue and €100 for renewal; you receive an SMS with the amount when your application is accepted.

If you miss the deadline, you also pay a regularization visa fee, except in case of force majeure or valid visa. Tip: note the expiration date as soon as you validate.

Work: up to 964 hours per year without authorization, with a validated VLS-TS or student card.

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Full guide: https://pionra.world/fr/p/carte-sejour-etudiant-demarches-arrivee-france