French Visa
A Schengen visa is suitable for travel to France and other Schengen countries for tourism, business or transit.
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Important Travel Document Information – Please Read
France operates in accordance with the Schengen Agreement regulations. Travelers planning short stays within the Schengen Area, with France as their primary destination, will typically require a Uniform Schengen Visa. Additionally, if your journey involves transiting through a French airport without exiting the international transit zone, you may need an Airport Transit Schengen Visa (type ‘A’).
We strongly recommend submitting your visa application well in advance to prevent potential delays or complications. Visa processing typically takes up to 15 working days from the date of your appointment.
Visa Options For France:
To start the application process for a French Visa, please click below.
Start ApplicationWe recommend submitting your visa application form as soon as possible to guarantee that your visa is approved in time for your trip.
Who Needs A Visa To Visit France
Citizens of countries outside the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Area must obtain a visa to enter France. A valid passport, with a minimum validity of three months beyond your intended departure date, is mandatory. Additionally, applicants must provide proof of travel health insurance, confirmed travel itinerary, and accommodation details.
British citizens, following the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU, currently do not require a visa for short visits to France of less than 90 days within a 180-day period.
Understanding the France Visa
In most cases, travelers to France require a Schengen visa , permitting entry into France and other Schengen member states. The specific type of Schengen Visa needed depends on your purpose and length of stay:
- Short-Stay Visa: For stays up to 90 days, including tourism, business, family visits, and short-term studies.
- Long-Stay National Visa: Required for visits exceeding 90 days, covering extended studies, employment, family reunification, or long-term residence.
Documents Required For a Visa Application To France
To apply for a visa, applicants must submit the following supporting documents:
Passport: Valid for at least 90 days beyond your planned exit from France, with a minimum of two blank pages. Include a clear copy of the passport’s data page.
Completed Visa Application Form: Signed, accurately filled, and accompanied by two recent biometric photographs (taken within the last six months).
Travel Documentation: Confirmed round-trip tickets or proof of onward travel arrangements.
Financial Evidence: Recent bank statements demonstrating sufficient financial resources for the duration of the stay.
Proof of Occupation: Official documentation such as an employer’s letter, student registration certificate, or pension fund records.
Accommodation Proof: Hotel reservation confirmations or an official invitation letter if staying with family or friends.
Travel Health Insurance: Coverage of at least €30,000, valid across the entire Schengen region for the duration of your stay.
Short-Stay Visa Types For France
- Airport Transit Visa: Required for nationals of specific countries transiting through France without entering the Schengen Area. Applicable to citizens from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.
- Business Visa: Allows short-term business activities within the Schengen region for up to 90 days.
- Tourist Visa: Issued for tourism purposes, permitting stays of up to 90 days.
- Family Visit Visa: Necessary for visiting family or friends; requires an official invitation letter from the host.
- Cultural, Sports, or Religious Event Visa: Grants entry to attend events, permitting stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
- Medical Treatment Visa: Allows short-term visits for medical treatment; applicants must provide official medical documentation or authorization from a recognized healthcare provider in France.
Long-Stay Visa Types For France
- Student Visa: Required for enrollment in educational programs longer than 90 days, allowing eligibility for residence permit applications upon arrival.
- Employment Visa: For non-EU nationals with a valid job offer or employment contract in France.
- Family Reunion Visa: Allows relatives of French residents to reunite with their family members in France, subject to eligibility criteria.
- Researcher Visa: Issued to visiting scholars and scientists participating in research at officially recognized institutions.
- Spouse or Partnership Visa: Short-term visa for spouses of French citizens; marriage verification and documentation of the spouse’s nationality are mandatory.
- Relative Visa: Applicable to family members of French citizens or residents without EU/Schengen nationality or bilateral visa exemptions.
- French Work Permit Visa. Those authorized to work in Finland must get this visa.
Requirements to Submit an Application
Applicants must submit their visa applications in person, as well as setting an appointment to submit their documents and biometrics.
Before, you apply for your visa, you should ensure that you have all of your documents ready. You can apply no earlier than 6 months before your planned trip.
Also, your passport should have at least 2 remaining blank pages. Furthermore, have at least 3 months of remaining validity from the date you return from the Schengen area. As well as this, if you are applying from a country you are not a citizen of, you must have a valid residence permit. The Permit must have at least 3 months of validity from the date you return from the Schengen area.
European Nationals Traveling to France
European Union Citizens
Citizens of the European Union (EU) are permitted visa-free travel within the EU, including France. No additional visa requirements apply.
British Citizens
Following the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, British citizens no longer have free movement rights within the EU. However, British nationals currently do not require a visa to enter France for tourism, business, or short-term stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Detailed arrangements regarding travel conditions may change based on future agreements between the UK and EU authorities.
U.S. and Canadian Citizens
United States and Canadian passport holders are exempt from visa requirements for short stays. Passports must remain valid for at least three months beyond the scheduled departure date from the Schengen area. This exemption applies specifically to tourism, business travel, or airport transit visits lasting no longer than 90 days within a 180-day timeframe.
For detailed information on specific parts of the Schengen visa process, you can refer to the links below to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any detailed information, please contact us via email.
Useful Resources
Schengen Member Countries
If you are a third-country national, you will need a visa to enter France. In fact, you will need a visa to enter any other Schengen country. Short-stay Schengen C-visas permit stays of up to 90 days. While a national D-visa/residence permit is for more extended stays in the country.
Visa Fees for France
- Short-Stay and Airport Transit Visas: The standard visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for minors aged 6 to 12. Children under 6 years old are exempt from visa fees.
- Long-Stay Visas: The visa fee for a long-stay visa to France is €99
- Payment Method: Visa fees are payable in person at the Embassy or relevant visa office during your appointment.
- Exemptions and Reductions: Certain applicants may be exempt from visa fees or eligible for reduced rates. For instance, children under 6 years old, foreign spouses of French nationals, and foreign family members of nationals from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland are exempt from visa fees.
Visa Processing Time
- Standard Processing: The processing period for a French Schengen visa typically takes at least 15 calendar days from the date of your appointment.
- Extended Processing: In exceptional cases, processing times can extend up to 30 or even 60 days, depending on individual circumstances and the discretion of the embassy.
- Application Timing: It’s advisable to apply for your visa well in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, to accommodate potential delays.