Visa to France

A France's visa is a document that allows its holder to enter France and reside for some time in the country.

France has the following 10 types of visa:

  • Airport transit visa
  • Business visa
  • Private visitor visa
  • Tourist visa
  • Short-term study visa
  • Family reunification visa
  • Long-term study visa
  • Work visa
  • Short-term work (working holiday) visa)
  • Specialist / professional visa

It must be noted that some of these visa sub-types can be included into a broader category, and they are different in the sense that they require different documents to apply for.

Fees

Depending on your chosen visa type, the processing fees may range from 15 to 100 EUR. Please not that this may be subject to change due to individual circumstances.

Time frames

In most cases it takes from 5 to 20 to process a visa application. Please, keep in mind that any these time estimates may change drastically, depending on your chosen visa time and various special cases, e.g. when the visa issuing authority must ask for additional documents.

Documents needed

When applying for a visa to France, in most cases you will need the following documents, depending on the type or sub-type of visa:

  • Any visa
    • visa application form
    • 2 passport-format photos of the applicant
    • valid passport no older than 10 years, valid for at least 3 months aftern the end of the applicant's planned stay and with at least 2 blank pages for the visa
    • copies of any previous visas
    • travel health insurance
    • plan of the journey and activities in the country
    • proof of sufficient finances for sustenance
    • proof of accommodation, e.g. a hotel
    • the applicant's criminal record or proof of its absence
    • proof of paid visa fee
  • Transit visa
    • proof of the intention and ability to travel further, e.g. a valid plane ticket
    • letter of explanation regarding the reasons for travelling to the final destination
  • Business visa
    • letter from the applicant's employer with the proof of the aim, route and duration of the travel
    • business bank statement for the latest 6 months
    • entry documents of the business event, if they are the aim of the travel
  • Student visa
    • proof of study at the declared educational institution
    • proof of the applicant's current academic status
    • diplomas and certificates of the applicant
  • For student interns
    • internship agreement
    • proof that the income from the internship provides sufficient means of sustenance

Photo requirements

The photo you submit with the application documents must meet certain criteria:

  • taken no more than 6 months prior to submission
  • 3,5 cm х 4,5 cm in size
  • taken in color
  • has a light background
  • facing forward
  • facial features clearly visible (i.e. nothing covers the face)
  • no tinted eyeglasses or decorational headwear
  • neutral facial expression
  • unifrom lighting
  • no ink or other marks
  • no editing

France's visa and Schengen area

Instead of France's visa, you can enter the country with a Schengen visa. You can use France's visa to enter the Schengen area.

Immigration to EU

If you wish to immigrate to France or a EU country in general, you will most likely need a visa to enter the country for preliminary arrangements before you can actually receive a residence permit. Contact us to see which visa you would need, as well as check out our EU residency solutions.