Important Travel Document Information – Please Read
France complies with Schengen legislation of the Schengen Area. The European territory grants short-stay Uniform Schengen visas. If your main destination is France, you will likely require a French Schengen Visa. For those who wish to travel via a French airport without leaving the “international zone,” you may require a Schengen transit ‘A’ visa.
We advise that you apply as soon as possible to avoid complications. The processing time is up to 15 working days from the day of your appointment.
Visa Options For France:
We 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 nations outside the EU and Schengen Area require a visa for France. A passport valid for 3 months or longer beyond their intended date of departure, proof of insurance, a ticket for onward travel, and proof of lodging to visit France.
Although the United Kingdom is no longer a part of the European Union, therefore, a visa is currently not required for British citizens wishing to visit France for short-stays of less than 90 days.
What is a ‘France Visa’?
When applying for a French Visa, in most cases you will require a Schengen visa. This visa gives you the right to enter France. The type of Schengen Visa you apply for will depend on the length of your stay in France and the reasons for your visit.
Your visit to France can be for tourism, business, study, or visiting, family/friends. 90 days or less is considered a short stay, and you must apply for a short-stay visa. Alternatively, if you intend to stay in France for longer than 90 days, you must apply for a long-stay national visa.
Documents Required For a Visa Application To France
The requirements and application procedures for Schengen visas to France are outlined below. In general, applicants must submit their visa applications, including all required documentation, to the Diplomatic Mission or approved visa application centres on time. Please note that the required documentation may vary based on the duration and purpose of your stay and your visa type.
First, a passport with at least two blank pages and a minimum validity of ninety days following the conclusion of travel. Copy of the first sheet, including personal info
Next, the Visa application form is filled out and signed, along with two biometric pictures no older than six months. Then, your documentation of travel with confirmed ro
Next, Bank account information demonstrates that the traveller has sufficient funds for travel.
Then, Evidence of occupation in the form of certified documents, such as an employer letter, student certificate, registration document, or pension fund documentation.
Next, Accommodation information in the form of an invitation letter or hotel reservation confirmation for the duration of your visit.
Finally, proof of travel health insurance that covers up to 30,000 Euros for the duration of the trip and is valid across the whole Schengen region.
Short-Stay Visa Types For France
French Transit Visa. This visa type permits transit at the airport for connecting flights. It is valid only in international zones.” France requires airport transit visas for citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.
French Business Visa. This visa type is for people who wish to apply for a Schengen visa. This visa allows the holder to do business inside the Schengen region. Typically, it is suitable for stays of up to ninety days.
French Tourist Visa. This visa is issued to third-world people that wish to visit Schengen nations. For instance, this can be for tourism and stays not exceeding 90 days.
French Family Visit Visa. Necessary for nationals of third countries who wish to travel to the Schengen region. This can be to visit family, friends, or relations. You will need an invitation letter from the person you are planning to visit.
French Cultural Visa. This visa is for short-term cultural trips. This visa type allows the bearer to attend cultural, sporting, and religious activities. You can stay up to 90 days within 6 months.
French Medical Treatment Visa. This visa type allows the bearer to obtain healthcare-related medical treatment in one of the Schengen nations for up to 90 days. However, patients may be required to present medical necessity documentation or permission from a French healthcare centre whose information is accessible online.
Long-Stay Visa Types For France
French Student Visa. issued to non-French nationals wishing to study in France. Admission to a study programme is one requirement for applying for a student visa. For stays exceeding 90 days, visa holders of this kind are eligible to apply for a residence permit.
French Employment Visa: issued to non-EU citizens who meet the eligibility requirements for employment in France. In addition, a formal job contract or offer is required for completing your application.
French Family Reunion Visa: This visa is available to family members of French residents who wish to go to France. Also, the terms of application differ based on factors such as whether the applicant is an EU/EEA national. Similarly, a citizen of France, or a foreigner resident in France.
French Researcher Visa: refers to the guest scientist or visiting scholar visas provided to non-EU individuals who seek to engage in research activities in an established research institution for a certain time.
French Partnership Visa. This visa type is a short-term visa. The spouse of a French national can apply for this visa. Also, you will need the right documentation and prove the marriage before applying for this visa. Therefore, you will need to supply your passport. Furthermore, verify your marriage. And finally, verify your spouse’s nationality.
French Work Permit Visa. Those authorized to work in Finland must get this visa.
French Relative Visa. Relatives of a French person may apply for this visa. Therefore, if they do not possess a valid E.U./Schengen passport. A residency permit. Or a passport from a country with which France has a bilateral visa-free agreement.
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
Citizens of an EU can travel inside the EU without the need for a visa.
British people no longer have the right to free movement inside the European Union. This is since the U.K. has formally left the E.U. However, British citizens do not have to get a visa to enter France. Therefore, The U.K. and E.U. will establish the specifics after a potential post-Brexit transition phase.
U.S. & Canadian citizens carrying passports valid for at least three months beyond their scheduled departure date are exempt from obtaining a visa for tourism, business, or airport transit for stays of up to 90 days.
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
Visa fees vary per applicant’s country of origin and are subject to change. The Visa-Applications.org price includes review, document processing, advice and appointment support.
- For a short-stay or airport transit visa, the visa fee for France is 80 euros for adults, or 40 euros for minors.
- The visa fee for a long-stay visa to France is 99 euros.
First, Visa fees are payable in person at the Embassy or relevant visa office where you attend an appointment.
Please note, however, that under certain situations, certain applicants may be excused from visa costs or get discounts. For example, visa costs are not required for Swiss citizens or dependent family members of Citizens of an EU/EEA country.
Visa Processing Time
The processing period for your France issued Schengen visa will vary depending on your case. Therefore, it will take at least 15 working days from the day you submit documents at your appointment.
The French Schengen Visa processing period could go as long as 60 days in exceptional instances at the embassies’ discretion. Furthermore, you can book appointments months in advance during the busy season, so it is essential that you apply sooner rather than later.
Sport Events in France
If you wish to attend a sporting event in France then you would require a Schengen tourist visa for entry. You should bring evidence of your tickets to the event as part of your supporting documents during your submission. Some upcoming sport events in France are:
People Also Asked
You can appeal the refusal. You must submit the appeal within 15 days of the receipt of the visa refusal, You must do this to the Consulate that decided to refuse the visa. The appeal must be original with the original signature of the appellant. In-person or by mail (not email). Additionally, you should include the name of the applicant. The reasons why the applicant considers the refusal decision to be contrary to the law.
You CAN appeal the French diplomatic mission’s decision to deny your application for a visa. The Board of Appeals against Decisions to Refuse an Entry Visa to France is where you can do this. You should do this within two months of the date of notification of the refusal.
Since there is no penalty for applicants whose visa application has previously been denied, you can apply for a new visa immediately and at any time following a previous French visa refusal.
You CANNOT obtain a French visa in an airport if you are a foreign national who needs one to travel to a France territory. Instead, you MUST apply for your visa at least three months before your intended departure date at the French diplomatic mission.
The answer is yes. Only in extraordinary circumstances. Such as when new information or unique circumstances emerge following your admission to France. Additionally, you must meet the situations under which you can extend your French short-stay visa, please read How to Extend a Schengen Visa.
With a short-stay visa. You can enter and stay in French territory for a maximum of 90 days at a time. You have to do this within a six-month period.
Applicants for a French visa must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds for their stay or transit in the French region.
According to the European Commission. As of June 19, 2014, any foreigner asking for a visa to visit France must be able to certify to the French Embassy or Consulate that they have the daily cash sum of 120€. Therefore, if they do not have confirmation of prearranged housing. If the applicant has a hotel reserved in advance. The daily rate drops to 65 euros for the duration of the covered hotel stay. While the remaining sum remains at 120 euros. Additionally, the amount drops to 32.25€/day if the applicant can provide documentation of a cheaper kind of lodging.
There is absolutely NO way to change a France visa holder’s visa type. Or the visa status as a resident once you enter French territory. Therefore, you should apply for the proper visa type and/or a residence permit as a backup if necessary.
It is necessary to produce proof of a hotel reservation. Confirmation from the actual hotels used throughout the entire itinerary. Together with the applicant’s name and all of the hotel’s contact information. Therefore, if you are visiting friends or family, you must obtain a French certificate of board and accommodation (Attestation d’accueil) from the local French Town Hall or Police Station. – Furthermore, you should understand that the embassy will only grant a visa good for the entire length of the visit to friends or relatives. For the duration of the tour, proof of lodging is necessary.