Located in the Western Europe, France is one of the most influential countries in the politics of the European Union and the world. Aside of the French European Territory, the Republic of France also consists of two overseas territories, which are:
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French Overseas Departments or Regions (DTOM)
French Overseas Territories and Collectivities (CTOM)
The metropolitan France has been part of the Schengen Zone since 1997, when it signed the Schengen Agreement. With an area of 551,695 km2 only in the continent of Europe, France is the top European destination for travellers around the world. With its sea, mountains, historical sites, amazing museums and monuments, food and fine wine, France attracts millions of tourists. A permission to enter France, also allows you to enter the city-state of Monaco and the microstate of Andorra.
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Depending on the purpose of your travel to France, there are different types of visas that will apply to the occasion. Whether you are planning to go on a visit, study or work and reside in France permanently, you will have to apply for a different France Schengen Visa, accordingly.
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France Entry Requirements
Due to the abolished borders between the member states, EU nationals only need an identification document to travel throughout the Schengen Area.
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On the other hand, foreign nationals will need to present several statutory documents when they show up at the French port of entry. Find these documents listed below:
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A valid passport or travel document. Issued in the last 10 years, and it should be valid for at least 3 months after your date of departure.
A visa – if you are subject to the French visa regime.
Proof of sufficient funds for your intended stay in France. France wants you to show evidence of attesting 120€ per day if holding no proof of prepaid accommodation and 65€ per day in the other case.
A round-trip ticket to France and back.
Proof of accommodation. Covering the entire duration of the stay.
Keep in mind that the French border officer holds the final decision on whether you should be permitted to enter France or not. He or she will check your documents and may ask you a few questions about your trip to France like:
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What is your purpose of visiting France?
How long do you intend to stay in France?
Where are you going to stay in France? Etc.
You will be permitted to enter France, and thus the Schengen Area, if the French border officer is convinced that your documents and purpose of entry are okay.
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Please, make sure that the French border officer stamps your passport when you enter France. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained from France.
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Who Needs a Schengen Visa to Enter France?
Because of the Schengen zone common travel area, part of which France is, the following will need to obtain a visa when travelling to the French territory in the continent of Europe for short-stays:
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Passport holders of third countries that have not reached a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states
Passport holders of third countries that have signed a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states but were rejected from entering France or any other Schengen country.
Please note that visa policies of French Overseas Territories, Departments or Regions are a bit different from those of the Metropolitan France. Depending on your nationality, you may have to obtain a visa to visit these countries as well.
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If you need a visa, then you will have to apply for a French long-stay National Visa. Apply for the long stay French visa type that best corresponds to your purpose of entry to the French DROM or CTOM.
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What Type of Visa Do I Need to Enter France?
Before starting your France Schengen Visa application, you should check what type of French visa for short-stays you need. According to the reason why you want to enter and stay in France for up to 90 days, you can apply for one of the following Schengen visa types for France:
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French Transit Visa. If you need to land in one of the French airports to take a flight that will take you to a non-Schengen country.
French Tourist/Visitor Visa. If you wish to visit France for the purpose of vacation, sightseeing and exploration, or if you want to visit your friends or family members residing in France, you must submit an application for this visa.
France Business If you need to attend a business meeting or other business-related activities in France.
France Visa for Official Visit. If you are part of a foreign Official Delegation invited to France for an official visit.
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France Medical Visa. If you need to obtain medical treatment in a hospital located in France.
French Study Visa. If you wish to attend an up-to-three-months study country at an educational institution in France.
France Visa for Cultural, Sports and Film Crews. If you are going to attend an activity in France that is related to sports or culture.
Remember that these visas permit you to stay in France for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. If you need a visa to stay in France for a longer period, apply for a French National Visa instead.
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What Documents Are Required for a French Schengen Visa Application?
The statutory documents when applying for a short-term French visa are as follows:
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French visa application form. Fulfil the form with your computer, print it and then sign it at the end.
Two passport photos. The photos should be identical and taken according to the photograph requirements & specifications for the French Schengen visa application.
Your valid passport. Make sure your passport is not older than 10 years and that it has a validity of at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave France and the whole territory of Schengen.
Copies of your previous visas. If you have ever held a visa to France, the Schengen territory or another country in the world, provide the embassy/consulate with copies of those visas.
France Travel Health Insurance. Purchase travel health insurance valid for the territory of metropolitan France and all of the other Schengen countries. Provide a document that confirms your insurance covers medical emergencies in this zone with a minimum coverage of 30,000€.
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A cover letter. Explain clearly and truthfully in this letter why you wish to enter France, what you will be doing here during your permitted stay and other details regarding your trip.
Round-trip Flight Itinerary. If you plan to enter France by air, submit a flight reservation with the dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from France.
Proof of accommodation. I.e. Hotel reservation for the whole duration of the intended stay in France. Find and Book Hotels in France!
Proof of civil status. This could be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, etc.
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Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in France. You must show evidence you possess the daily money amount of 120€ if holding no proof of prepaid accommodation. On the other hand, if you have already arranged your accommodation and you do not need to pay anything upon your arrival in France, this amount reduces to 65€. Moreover, in case the applicant has cheaper forms of accommodation, the amount decreases to 32.25€ per day.
Additional French Visa Requirements Based on Your Employment Status
Based on your occupational status, you will need to submit some additional documents when applying for a visa to France, as follows:
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If employed:
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Employment contract
Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
Leave permission from the employer
Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary
If self-employed:
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A copy of your business license
Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
Income Tax Return (ITR)
If a student:
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Proof of enrollment
No-objection certificate from school or university
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If retired:
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Pension statement of the latest 6 months
If applicable:
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Proof of regular income generated by a property for the last 6 months
>> No-objection certificate (NOC) from school or university or from your employer.
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Additional French Visa Requirements for Minors
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Minors applying to get a short-stay visa to France or parents applying for their minor child to get a visa will need to add the following documents to their application file:
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Birth certificate of the minor travelling to France.
France application form signed by both parents.
Family court order. In cases where only one parent has full custody over the child.
Certified copies of ID/passport of both parents.
A notarized parental authorization to travel to France, signed by both parents/guardians if the minor will be travelling alone.
*Note: When applying at the French embassy/consulate in the home country, the guardian or parent should accompany their underage children.
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Additional Requirements Based on the Purpose of Entry to France
Depending on your purpose for entry to France, you will need to provide some additional documents. Following, find the extra required documents based on your purpose of travelling to France.
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Required Documents for an Airport Transit Schengen Visa to France
If you need to land in one of the French airports, in order to take a flight to your non-Schengen destination country, you need to submit the following additional documents:
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A valid visa (if needed) for the final country one is travelling to.
The flight ticket for the final country you are travelling to.
For more detailed France airport visa requirements, please read the article.
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Required Documents for a Transit Schengen Visa to France
If you are reaching France by sea, in order to catch another vessel to another country, you will need to provide the following additional documents:
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A valid visa (if required) for the final country you are travelling to.
The ticket for the final country you are travelling to.
Original and photocopy of Seaman’s book (required only for seafarers).
Letter from the inviting Shipping Company. Issued by the inviting Shipping Company in the Schengen country in which the seafarer will disembark (required only for seafarers).
Employment contract. Contract with the navigation company/ship in order to board the ship (required only for seafarers).
Required Documents for a Business Schengen Visa to France
When applying to obtain a French Business visa, you must provide the following additional documents:
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Invitation letter from the French company you will be visiting and their detailed address accompanied with the dates of your visit.
A certificate from your employer. In this letter should be stated why you will be travelling to France.
Business bank statement. Preferably for the last 6 months.
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Memorandum and Article of Association. It should be submitted in original certified copy (registered with joint stock companies).
Trade License (first issued and present renewal).
Proof of trip financing. Regarding the applicant’s expenses during their stay in France, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.
Required Documents for a Student Schengen Visa to France
When applying to get a French Student visa, you must provide the following additional documents:
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An enrollment certificate allowing attendance of courses (school/university/language course / etc.) in France.
No objection letter from the educational institution where you are currently enrolled (if applicable).
Internship agreement signed between the company in France, the establishment of origin and the trainee.
Required Documents for a Medical Schengen Visa to France
When applying to get a visa to receive medical care in France, you must provide the following additional documents:
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A local medical report. Issued from a doctor/clinic/hospital in your home country, confirming that you need medical treatment in France.
A medical attestation from the hospital or doctor in France confirming the date of your appointment as well as your medical situation.
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Receipt of paid medical fees.
Official confirmation of the treatment/appointment by the receiving medical institution (hospital/clinic) in
Proof that you have sufficient financial means to pay the medical expenses and other related expenses throughout your treatment.
Required Documents for a Schengen Visa to France for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes
When applying to get a French visa for the purpose of attending a Cultural / Sports / Religious Event in France, you must provide the following additional documents:
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Event Information. As:
Invitation letter from the relevant body in France with details on the nature of events or activities that are to be held in France.
Entry tickets to the event.
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Enrollment conditions.
Detailed programme of the event in France.
Other documents that present the Names of the applicants (crew members) and other relevant information about the event.
Proof of previous performances. Participation in previous festivals and ceremonies (cultural, religious), sports competitions, winners certificates, proof of world/international ranking (sports).
Required Documents for a French Schengen Visa for the Wife/Husband of a French Citizen
When applying to get a French visa as the spouse of a French national/citizen, you must provide the following additional documents:
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Proof of French citizenship (ID card or consular card or certification of French nationality or naturalization order).
French marriage certificate.
French family record book.
French Schengen Visa for Members of Official Delegations
When applying to get a French visa as a member of an official delegation, you must provide the following additional documents:
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The official invitation copy.
Evidence on the purpose of the journey (negotiations, meetings, events by intergovernmental organizations, consultations).
How to Apply for a French Short-Stay Visa?
In order to complete the application process to obtain a short-stay visa to France, you must follow these steps:
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Choose the right French visa type you need, according to your purpose of entry.
Check out the French body responsible for visa admission in your country.
Complete the French visa application form.
Collect the required documents for a short-term visa to France.
Schedule a visa interview appointment.
Attend the interview at the appropriate French Embassy/Consulate/VAC.
Where to Apply for a French Short-Stay Visa?
The French authorities have regulated visa admission and processing differently in countries around the world. According to how the French authorities have regulated visa admission in your country of residence, you may have to apply at one of the following:
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The French Embassy
A French consulate
A Visa Application Center to which France has outsourced visa submission
The Embassy / Consulate of another Schengen country to which France has outsourced visa submission
Who Can Apply for a Schengen Visa at the French Embassy / Consulate / VAC?
Submit your Schengen visa for France at the French embassy/consulate / VAC in your country of residence, only in case:
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France is the only country you will be visiting in the Schengen Zone.
You will visit more Schengen states, but France is your main destination, which means:
You will be spending more days in France than in other countries.
You will be spending an equal amount of days in each country, but you will enter the Schengen Zone through France.
In any other case, you will have to submit your application at the embassy/consulate / VAC of another Schengen member. Be aware that to be eligible to apply for a French short stay visa, you must be:
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A citizen of the country from where you are applying.
A foreign citizen currently on a temporary residence permit in the country from where you are applying.
You cannot apply for a short-stay French visa from a country where you are currently on a visa.
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How Long Does It Take to Get a French Visa?
The processing time for a French Schengen visa may take up to 15 days. Still, depending on your application for a French visa, this period may be extended up to 30 days or even up to 60 days in exceptional cases.
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This is why we strongly advise you to lodge your French short-stay visa application as soon as possible, though not earlier than three months prior to your trip to France.
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How Much Does It Cost to Apply for a French Visa?
A French Schengen Visa fee is €80 for adults and €40 for children under the age of 12. Take the time to check the list of the French Schengen Visa fees since there are categories of applicants that are exempt from paying the fee and others that need to pay a lower amount as well.
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If you belong to these categories or not, it all depends on your age, nationality and some other factors, such as the purpose of your entry, etc.
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How Long Can We Stay in France Without a Visa?
Passport holders of France visa-exempt countries are allowed to remain in France and the other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180 days period. Please make sure you understand the 90/180 Schengen Visa Rule.
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Do not violate this rule, not even for one day. No matter your circumstances, you are not allowed to overstay the 90-day permitted stay per 180-day rolling period. Each situation has applicable penalties for overstaying if you do not comply with the rules.
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As for the nationals of countries that still have not signed a visa-free agreement with France and the other Schengen members, they must obtain a visa before heading to France or any other Schengen member country.
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Can I Extend My Schengen Visa in France?
Yes, you can extend your French Schengen visa, but only in exceptional cases where new facts and special reasons arise after entry to France. Depending on the type of visa that you hold, you should submit the application for extension with the following authorities:
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The Prefectures. For visas affixed on ordinary passports, the Prefectures are the only competent authorities for extending the period of validity/duration of stay of short-stay visas.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For visas affixed on diplomatic, official, service or special passports, the visa policy section of the French MFA is the only competent authority for extending short-stay visas.
Please read How to Extend a Schengen Visa to understand in what circumstances and what are the conditions you must fulfil in order to be eligible to extend your French Schengen Visa.
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Can My French Schengen Visa Be Revoked?
Yes, your France visa can be revoked in case the competent French authorities conclude that the conditions for issuing the visa are no longer met.
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Failure of the visa holder to provide the border officer with the entry requirements may also lead to a decision to annul or revoke the visa, though not automatically.
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Can I enter Monaco with a Schengen France Visa?
Due to Monaco-France agreements on visa policies, a France visa entitles you to enter Monaco as well. Besides, no border control is performed between France and Monaco. All of this is regulated by the Franco-Monegasque Neighborhood agreement of 18 May 1963.
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To learn more in this regard, read out article Monaco Visa Application Requirements, Fees and Guidelines!
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Can I enter Andorra with a Schengen France Visa?
The microstate of Andorra performs border controls with France and Spain. Still, it permits travellers to enter its borders with a France short-stay visa only when they hold a multiple-entry visa.
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