Get your housing certificate with Colonies in 5 minutes

You're putting together your student visa application for France and you're missing just one thing: proof of housing. Colonies, a French operator of student residences present all over France, created Studhome so you can get your housing certificate online, in 5 minutes, with no signed lease and no guarantor. Whatever your country of origin and your study plans, the process stays the same.

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I need a housing certificate

If you're applying for a long-stay student visa, your application needs to prove you have a real address for your stay in France. That's exactly what the Colonies housing certificate does: an official document, in your name, that completes your consulate application.

How does the Colonies certificate work?

The idea is simple. When you apply, Colonies places an option in your name on an available unit in one of its residences, in your city of study. In return, you receive an official certificate, with the address of the property, the rent amount, and a unique application number.

This certificate lets you prove you have housing sorted in France and complete your visa application. Once your visa is granted, you can choose to confirm this option, or pick another unit from the Colonies portfolio depending on availability at the time.

The benefits of the Colonies certificate

• No rental commitment before your visa. You avoid tying up a deposit or first month's rent on a place you haven't even seen yet.

• A real address, backed by an existing Colonies residence, not a fake address of convenience.

• A complete, credible application, meeting consulate and French authority requirements.

• A fast response: everything happens online, no appointment, no postal mail.

• A responsive support team for all your questions, from application to visa approval.

• Support for what comes next: once your visa is granted, the Colonies team helps you turn the option into a firm booking.

• €100 off your booking fees if you choose to live with Colonies once your visa is granted.

Why not book a hotel or try for CROUS instead?

Many students first think about booking a hotel room or trying for a spot at CROUS to prove their housing. Both options are limited: a hotel booking is rarely accepted as proof of long-term residence for a study stay, and CROUS spots remain scarce and highly competitive for new international arrivals. The Colonies certificate is designed as a complete service, available immediately, no matter your country of origin.

What your certificate includes

• The housing address where the option was placed (based on Colonies portfolio availability at the time of your application).

• The monthly rent amount for the unit in question.

• The validity period of the certificate: 45 days from issue.

• A clearly identified signature and reference, plus a way for the consulate to verify it.

Price and rent

Your Colonies certificate costs €199, valid for 45 days from issue.

The rent amounts shown on your certificate match the actual rent for the unit within the Colonies portfolio. These amounts can't be changed: they reflect the local market in the city where the residence is located.

Terms of the Colonies certificate

• Full refund (100%) of the certificate if the visa is denied specifically for reason 5 (housing).

• Refund requests must be submitted within 30 days of the refusal, via studhome.fr/fr/refund.

• Colonies cannot guarantee systematic access to a specific unit after purchasing the certificate: the final choice depends on availability when you return.

Important: this certificate is not a lease or a firm housing booking. It strengthens your visa application but doesn't guarantee the consulate's decision, which remains solely theirs.

How the process works, step by step

1. Enter your details and documents: first name, last name, email, phone number, city of study, expected arrival date, and study plans.

2. Choose your city among the available Colonies residences in France.

3. Receive your certificate with the address, rent, and signature, ready to attach to your France-Visas application.

4. Submit your visa application to the consulate, with this proof of accommodation.

5. Once your visa is granted, contact the Colonies team to confirm your final housing.

Housing certificate vs. hosting certificate: what's the difference?

The Colonies housing certificate shouldn't be confused with a hosting certificate written by an individual (a volunteer host putting you up at their home), or an accommodation certificate issued by a town hall for short stays. Your Colonies certificate is based on a real property managed by a professional, making it solid proof for a long-term study stay. It also doesn't replace a residence permit, which must be requested separately once you're in France.

FAQ

Who can apply for a Colonies housing certificate? Any international student preparing a long-stay visa application for studies in France.

Do I need a French guarantor to get this certificate? No. No guarantor, no deposit, and no signed lease are required to obtain the certificate.

Can I choose the city for my housing? Yes, within the limits of the Colonies residences available at the time of your application.

What happens if my visa is denied? If the refusal is notified as reason 5 (housing), the certificate is refunded at 100%. The request must be submitted within 30 days of the refusal.

Does the certificate guarantee my visa? No, it strengthens your application by proving a real housing solution, but the final decision belongs to the consular authorities.

What happens after I get my visa? You can confirm the option placed on your unit or choose another one from the Colonies portfolio, depending on availability, to finalize your booking.

In summary

With Colonies, your student visa housing certificate is obtained online, in a few minutes, with no lease and no guarantor, backed by a real address in one of its residences in France. It's the solution designed to secure your visa application without committing before you're sure you're going.

Get your housing certificate with Colonies in 5 minutes

Read more: "Housing certificate for a student visa: the complete guide", "No housing in France yet? How to prove your accommodation", "Accommodation, hosting or housing certificate: what's the difference?", "Student visa application for France: the complete document checklist" and "Got your visa? Book your student housing with Colonies."