Country guide · Schengen

France Visa Requirements: Schengen Application Guide

France is the most visited Schengen country, and its consulates see enormous application volumes. This guide walks through the France-Visas process end to end — eligibility, documents, appointments, fees, timelines and the mistakes that most often lead to refusal.

1. Check whether you need a visa

Nationals of the EU/EEA and Switzerland do not need a visa. Visa-exempt nationals (for example the UK, US, Canada, Japan and Australia) can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, but will need an ETIAS travel authorisation once the scheme is in force. Everyone else needs a short-stay (type C) Schengen visa before travelling.

Use our 90/180-day stay calculator to confirm you still have days available before you plan your trip.

2. Confirm France is the right consulate

Apply through France when it is your main destination — the country where you will spend the most nights. If your trip splits equally across several Schengen states, apply to the country of first entry. Applying to the wrong consulate is a common reason for rejection at the document-check stage.

3. Start on the France-Visas portal

All French short-stay applications begin at the official France-Visas portal. The questionnaire confirms whether you need a visa, generates your personalised document list, and produces the application form and receipt you take to the appointment. Depending on your country of residence, submission is handled by the French consulate directly or by an outsourced centre such as VFS Global or TLScontact.

4. Required documents checklist

• Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond return, with 2 blank pages
• Printed and signed France-Visas application form and receipt
• Two recent biometric photos (35×45mm, plain light background)
• Travel medical insurance with €30,000+ cover valid across the Schengen area
• Round-trip flight reservation (a reservation, not a purchased ticket)
• Hotel bookings, rental confirmation, or an attestation d'accueil if staying with a host
• Day-by-day itinerary matching your bookings
• Cover letter stating purpose, dates, cities and who funds the trip
• Bank statements for the last 3 months, stamped by the bank
• Employment letter, payslips, or business registration; students provide an enrolment letter
• Evidence of ties to your home country — property, ongoing employment, family
• For minors: birth certificate, parental consent, and copies of parents' ID

Business visitors add an invitation letter from the French company with dates and purpose. Family visits typically add proof of relationship plus the host's ID and residence proof.

5. Show enough funds

France expects applicants to demonstrate sufficient means of subsistence for each day of the stay. The required daily amount is lower when you have prepaid accommodation or a signed attestation d'accueil, and higher when you have no proof of accommodation. Show a steady balance rather than a single large deposit made days before applying — unexplained deposits are treated as borrowed funds.

6. Book the appointment

Slots at French visa centres fill weeks ahead, particularly from April to August. Book as soon as your flight and accommodation reservations exist. Bring every original plus a photocopy; biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are collected at the appointment unless you gave them for a Schengen visa within the last 59 months.

7. Fees and processing time

The short-stay visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6–11, with under-6s exempt; visa centres charge an additional service fee. A decision usually arrives within 15 calendar days, extending to 30–45 days in peak season or when extra documents are requested. You can apply up to 6 months before travel and should never leave less than 3 weeks.

8. Common reasons France refuses applications

• Insurance below €30,000 or not valid in every Schengen state
• Itinerary that contradicts the flight or hotel bookings submitted
• Bank statements with sudden large deposits and no explanation
• Weak evidence of return — no job letter, no studies, no dependants at home
• Applying to France when another country is clearly the main destination
• Cover letter missing exact dates, cities, or who pays for the trip

Our guide on how to avoid a Schengen visa rejection covers each of these in more detail.

9. After a decision

Collect your passport from the visa centre or arrange courier return. Check the visa sticker immediately: entries permitted, validity dates, and duration of stay. If the application is refused you receive a refusal form citing the reasons, and you can appeal or reapply with stronger evidence addressing those specific points.

Frequently asked questions

What are the France visa requirements for tourists?

A valid passport, France-Visas application, biometric photos, €30,000+ travel insurance, flight and accommodation proof, an itinerary, three months of bank statements, and proof of employment or study.

How much does a France Schengen visa cost?

€90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6–11, plus the visa centre's service fee.

How long does processing take?

Usually 15 calendar days, up to 30–45 days in peak season.

Can I visit other Schengen countries on a France visa?

Yes — a uniform Schengen visa issued by France lets you travel across the whole Schengen area, provided France remains your main destination.