Located in Western Europe, France is one of the most influential countries in the European Union and world politics. Besides the French European Territory, the French Republic also consists of two overseas territories, which are:

• Overseas Departments or Regions (DTOM)

• Overseas Communities and Territories (CTOM)

Metropolitan France has been part of the Schengen area since 1997 when it signed the Schengen agreements. With an area of ​​551,695 km2 on the European continent alone, France is the number one European destination for travelers from all over the world. With its sea, its mountains, its historical sites, its amazing museums and monuments, its gastronomy, and its refined wines, France attracts millions of tourists. An authorization to enter France also allows you to enter the city-state of Monaco and the micro-state of Andorra.

Depending on the purpose of your trip to France, different types of visas will occasionally apply. Whether you plan to visit, study or work and reside in France permanently, you will need to apply for another France Schengen visa accordingly.

Visit for:

France Visa from Pakistan

Conditions of entry into France

Due to the removal of borders between Member States, EU nationals only need an identity document to travel within the Schengen area.

On the other hand, foreign nationals will have to present several regulatory documents when presented at the French port of entry. Find these documents listed below:

A valid passport or travel document. Issued within the last 10-years, and it must be valid for at least 3-months after your departure date.

When you are subject to the French visa regime, you will need a visa.

Proof of sufficient funds for your planned stay in France. France would like you to present proof of €120 per day if you do not have proof of prepaid accommodation and €65 per day in the other case.

A return ticket for France and back.

Proof of accommodation. Covering the entire duration of the stay.

Keep in mind that the French border agent holds the final decision on whether you should be allowed to enter France or not. He will check your documents and may ask you some questions about your trip to France such as:

• What is your goal in visiting France?

• How long do you plan to stay in France?

• Where are you going to stay in France? Etc.

You will be allowed to enter France, and therefore the Schengen area, if the French border official is satisfied that your documents and the purpose of your entry are correct.

Please ensure that the French border agent stamps your passport when you enter France. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained in France.

• Visa France for cultural, sports, and film teams. If you are going to attend an activity in France related to sport or culture.

Remember that these visas allow you to stay in France for up to 90 days within 180 days. If you need a visa to stay in France longer, apply for a French national visa instead.

What documents are required for a French Schengen visa application?

The regulatory documents when applying for a short-term French visa are as follows:

• French visa application form. Fill out the form with your computer, print it, and sign it at the end.

• Two passport photos. The photos must be identical and taken following the photographic requirements and specifications of the French Schengen visa application.

• Your valid passport. Make sure your passport is no more than 10-years old and valid for at least three additional months beyond the date you plan to leave France and the entire Schengen territory.

• Copies of your previous visas. If you have already held a visa for France, the Schengen territory, or another country in the world, provide the embassy/consulate with copies of these visas.

• Travel health insurance in France. Take out travel health insurance valid on the territory of metropolitan France and all other Schengen countries. Provide a document confirming that your insurance covers medical emergencies in this area with a minimum coverage of €30,000.

• A cover letter. Explain clearly and honestly in this letter why you want to enter France, what you will do here during your authorized stay, and other details about your trip.

• Round-trip flight route. If you plan to enter France by air, submit a flight reservation with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from France.

• Proof of accommodation. That's to say. Hotel reservation for the entire duration of the planned stay in France. Find and book hotels in France!

• Proof of marital status. This can be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, etc.

• Proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of the stay in France. You must prove that you have the daily amount of €120 if you do not have proof of prepaid accommodation. On the other hand, if you have already reserved your accommodation and you have nothing to pay when you arrive in France, this amount is reduced to €65. Also, in case the applicant has cheaper forms of accommodation, the amount decreases to €32.25 per day.

Additional French visa requirements depending on your employment status

Depending on your professional status, you will need to present some additional documents when applying for a visa to France, as follows:

If employed:

• Employment contract

• Current bank statement for the last 6-months

• Leave authorization from the employer

• Income tax declaration form (ITR) or income tax certificate withheld at source from salary

If self-employed:

• A copy of your business license

• Business bank statement for the last 6-months

• Tax return (ITR)

If a student:

• Proof of registration

• Certificate of no objection from school or university

• Advertisement

If retired:

• Pension statement for the last 6-months

If applicable:

• Proof of regular income generated by a property in the last 6-months

Must Visit:

Additional French visa requirements for minors

Minors applying for a short-stay visa for France or parents applying for a visa for their minor child must attach the following documents to their file:

• Birth certificate of the minor traveling in France.

• France application form signed by both parents.

• Family court order. In cases where only one parent has full custody of the child.

• Certified copies of the identity card/passport of both parents.

• A notarized parental authorization to travel to France, signed by both parents/guardians if the minor is traveling alone.

Note: When applying to the French Embassy/Consulate in the country of origin, the guardian or parent must accompany their minor children.

Additional requirements based on the purpose of entry into France

Depending on your goal of entering France, you will need to provide some additional documents. Below are the additional documents required depending on your purpose of travel to France.

Documents required for a Schengen airport transit visa to France

If you have to land in one of the French airports, to take a flight to your non-Schengen destination country, you must present the following additional documents:

• A valid visa (if necessary) for the final country you are going to.

• The plane ticket for the last country in which you are traveling.

Documents required for a Schengen transit visa to France

If you arrive in France by sea, to board another ship to another country, you will need to provide the following additional documents:

• A valid visa (if required) for the final country you are traveling to.

• The ticket for the last country in which you travel.

• Original and photocopy of seaman's book (required only for seafarers).

• Letter from the inviting shipping company. Issued by the inviting shipping company of the Schengen country in which the sailor will disembark (only required for sailors).

• Employment contract. Contract with the shipping company/vessel to board the vessel (only required for seafarers).

Documents required for a Schengen tourist visa for France

When applying for a French tourist visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

• Bank statement. Preferably within the last 6-months.

• Travel itinerary. A detailed description of your trip, which includes the purpose of the trip, the duration, and the activities you will participate in, such as hotel reservations or proof of other forms of accommodation.

• Proof of how you will finance your trip to France.

Documents required for a Schengen visitor visa in France

When applying for a visa to visit your friends or relatives in France, you must provide the following additional documents:

• Proof of financial means. Proof that you have enough money to support yourself throughout your stay in France. It can be a:

  • Bank account statement.

  • Sponsorship letter. When another person financially sponsors your trip to France. It is also often referred to as an affidavit of support.

  • A combination of both.

• Travel itinerary. Which is a description of your trip to France, including the purpose of your trip to France, entry and exit dates, and where you will be staying.

• Invitation letter. By a relative/friend residing in France, inviting you to visit.

• Proof of family relationship with the host residing in France.

• Accommodation certificate. This is a certificate of accommodation/certificat d'accueil issued by the competent French authorities of the city of residence of your host in France. To obtain this certificate, your host in France must present the following documents:

  • Identity proof.

  • A document proving their status as owner, tenant, or occupant of the apartment in France in which they will be hosting you.

  • Proof of the last residence (water, electricity or telephone bill, or rent receipt).

  • Any document that justifies his financial resources (the previous three lips pays, the last tax return) and his obligation to financially support the foreigner if he has a shortage.

  • Any document on their ability to accommodate you in standard French accommodation conditions (concerning space, security, hygiene, and comfort).

  • The issuance of the certificate costs €30 paid with the usual tax stamps.

Documents required for a business Schengen visa to France

When applying for a French business visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

• Letter of invitation from the French company you will visit and its detailed address accompanied by the dates of your visit.

• A certificate from your employer. In this letter must be indicated why you are going to travel to France.

• Business bank statement. Preferably within the last 6-months.

• Memorandum and Articles of Association. It must be submitted in an original certified copy (registered with joint stock companies).

• Commercial license (first issue and current renewal).

• Proof of travel funding. Concerning the expenses of the applicant during his stay in France, either the employer or the partner company must mention the assumption of responsibility for the expenses in the letter or the summons.

Documents required for a Schengen student visa for France

When applying for a French student visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

• A certificate of registration allowing you to take courses (school/university/language course/etc.) in France.

• No letter of objection from the educational institution where you are currently enrolled (if applicable).

• Internship agreement signed between the company in France, the home establishment, and the intern.

Documents required for a Schengen medical visa for France

When applying for a visa to receive medical care in France, you must provide the following additional documents:

• A local medical report. Issued by a doctor/clinic/hospital in your home country, confirming that you need medical treatment in France.

• A medical certificate from the hospital or doctor in France confirming the date of your appointment and your medical situation.

• Receipt of paid medical expenses.

• Official confirmation of the treatment/appointment by the host medical institution (hospital/clinic) in

• Proof that you have sufficient financial means to pay medical expenses and other related expenses throughout your treatment.

Documents required for a Schengen visa for France for cultural, sporting, filming, or religious purposes

When applying for a French visa to attend a cultural/sporting/religious event in France, you must provide the following additional documents:

• Event information. As:

  • Letter of invitation from the competent body in France with details of the nature of the events or activities to be held in France.

  • Admission tickets to the event.

  • Registration conditions.

  • Detailed program of the event in France.

  • Other documents that present the names of the candidates (crew members) and other relevant information about the event.

• Evidence of past performance. Participation in previous festivals and ceremonies (cultural, religious), sports competitions, certificates of winners, and proof of world/international ranking (sport).

Documents Required for a French Schengen Visa for the Wife/Husband of a French Citizen

When applying for a French visa as the spouse of a French national/citizen, you must provide the following additional documents:

• Proof of French nationality (identity card or consular card or certificate of French nationality or decree of naturalization).

• French marriage certificate.

• French family booklet.

French Schengen visa for members of official delegations

When applying for a French visa as a member of an official delegation, you must provide the following additional documents:

• The official copy of the invitation.

• Evidence of the purpose of the trip (negotiations, meetings, events organized by intergovernmental organizations, consultations).

More Article:

How to apply for a French short-stay visa?

To complete the application process for obtaining a short-stay visa for France, you must follow these steps:

1. Choose the right type of French visa you need, depending on your purpose of entry.

2. Check with the French organization responsible for admission visas in your country.

3. Complete the French visa application form.

4. Gather the documents required for a short-stay visa in France.

5. Make an appointment for a visa interview.

6. Attend the interview at the appropriate French Embassy/Consulate/VAC.

Where to apply for a French short-stay visa?

French authorities have regulated admission and visa processing differently in countries around the world. Depending on how French authorities have regulated visa admission in your country of residence, you may need to apply to one of the following institutions:

• The French Embassy

• A French consulate

• A visa application center to which France has outsourced visa filing

• The Embassy/Consulate of another Schengen country to which France has outsourced visa filing

Who can apply for a Schengen visa at the Embassy / Consulate / VAC of France?

Submit your Schengen visa for France to the French embassy/consulate/VAC in your country of residence, only in the event of:

• France is the only country you will visit in the Schengen area.

• The main focus of your trip will be on France, but you will visit some other Schengen countries as well:

  • You will spend more days in France than in other countries.

  • You will spend an equal number of days in each country, but you will enter the Schengen area through France.

In any other case, you will have to submit your application to the embassy/consulate/VAC of another Schengen member. Note that to be able to apply for a French short-stay visa, you must be:

• A citizen of the country you are applying from.

• A foreign citizen currently holding a temporary residence permit in the country from which you are applying.

You cannot apply for a French short-stay visa from a country where you currently hold a visa.

How long does it take to get a French visa?

The processing time for a French Schengen visa can take up to 15 days. However, depending on your French visa application, this period can be extended up to 30-days or even up to 60-days in exceptional cases.

This is why we strongly advise you to apply for a French short-stay visa as soon as possible, but at the earliest three months before your trip to France.

How much does it cost to apply for a French visa?

The French Schengen visa fee is €80 for adults and €40 for children under 12. Take the time to review the list of French Schengen visa fees as there are categories of applicants who are exempt from paying the fee and others who must also pay a lower amount.

Whether or not you belong to these categories depends on your age, nationality, and some other factors, such as the purpose of your registration, etc.

How long can you stay in France without a visa?

Passport holders from visa-exempt French countries are allowed to stay in France and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within 180 days. Make sure you understand the Schengen visa rule 90/180.

Do not violate this rule, not even for a day. Regardless of your situation, you are not permitted to exceed the permitted length of stay of 90 days per continuous period of 180 days. Each situation has applicable overrun penalties if you do not follow the rules.

As for nationals of countries that have not yet signed a visa waiver agreement with France and other Schengen members, they must obtain a visa before traveling to France or any other Schengen member country.

Can I extend my Schengen visa to France?

Yes, you can extend your French Schengen visa, but only in exceptional cases where new facts and special reasons arise after entering France. Depending on the type of visa you hold, you must file the extension application with the following authorities:

• Prefectures. For visas affixed to ordinary passports, the Prefectures alone are competent to extend the period of validity/duration of stay of short-stay visas.

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For visas affixed to diplomatic, official, service, or special passports, the visa policy section of the French MAE is the only competent authority for the extension of short-stay visas.

Please read How to extend a Schengen visa to understand under what circumstances and what conditions you must meet to be able to extend your French Schengen visa.

Can my French Schengen visa be revoked?

Yes, your France visa can be revoked if the competent French authorities conclude that the conditions for issuing the visa are no longer met.

Failure of the visa holder to provide the border official with the entry requirements may also result in a decision to cancel or withdraw the visa, but not automatically.

Can I enter Monaco with a France Schengen visa?

Due to the Monaco-France agreements on visa policies, a France visa also gives you the right to enter Monaco. Furthermore, no border control is carried out between France and Monaco. Everything is governed by the Franco-Monegasque neighborhood agreement of 18 May 1963.

Can I enter Andorra with a France Schengen visa?

The microstate of Andorra carries out border controls with France and Spain. However, it allows travelers to enter its borders with a short-stay visa in France only when they hold a multiple-entry visa.

Related Articles: