Applying for visa to France

Terms of visa processing

The applicants' documents are processing within 14 days. The package is submitted to the embassy by the tourist personally or by a student / schoolchild applying for a student French visa, accompanied by parents: attendance at the scheduled interview is compulsory, no delays are allowed.

Guarantees of visa obtaining

The process of obtaining a visa, including a visa for study in France, type D, depends on many objective factors. Providing a full package of documents and a questionnaire filled in without errors is not a guarantee of visa processing.

Where to submit documents

Documents for a visa (including a student French visa) are submitted to the French Embassy, it is necessary to make an appointment.

Documents for a tourist visa to France (in general, similar documents are requested for visa for study in France, type D):

1. Application form filled in the appropriate way;

2. Valid passport (the minimum period of validity is 3 months after the end of the visa). The document has special requirements: mandatory signature and at least 2 blank pages;

3. The canceled international passport (if any);

4. The second passport (valid), if any;

5. Copies of the national passport (clear, qualitative, facsimile not accepted);

6. 2 photos (actual, made no more than 6 months ago, clear, matte, colored, without ovals, on a light background, size - 3.5 * 4.5 cm);

7. Confirmation from the place of work (standard certificate on the letterhead with stamped seal);

8. Confirmation of financial solvency (statement of account);

9. Proof of accommodation (booking confirmation;

10. Copy of tickets (booking confirmation);

11. Insurance policy (original + copy), issued in accordance with the requirements of the Schengen;

For the tourist at the expense of the sponsor, students, minors and pensioners there are some more requested documents^

Sponsors provide sponsorship letter. It is accompanied by a copy of the sponsor's ID (national passport), a document confirming a relative relationship with the tourist (if available).

For minors, the package of documents excludes confirmation of employment and financial solvency. But it is supplemented by a birth certificate (copy), a notarized consent of the parents or one of them, if the child travels accompanied by another. The document is signed a maximum of one month prior to the moment of applying for a visa.

Pensioners provide a copy of the pension certificate.

Schoolchildren, students will need a certificate from their place of study.

For students, there is a special procedure for applying for a student French visa. To receive a three-month French visa, they provide to the embassy:

• application form;
• copy and original of the current foreign passport (the requirements for the document are standard);
• full copies, originals of canceled passports (if any);
• a copy of the national passport;
• 2 photos of the established patern;
• birth certificate (copy + original);
• copy and original passport of the parent accompanying the student at the embassy;
• certificate from employment of parents (guardians) indicating salary;
• certificate from the place of study (standard, on the company letterhead), a copy of the student's record book, student's card, schoolchildren provide only a certificate;
• invitation from the French side (copy + original);
• confirmation of accomodation (can be specified in the invitation);
• for minors - parents' consent (notarized);
• an extract from the sponsor's of the trip account ;
• language certificates (if available);
• insurance policy (original + copy);
• copies of tickets there and back;
• it is additionally recommended to provide documents that are indirectly related to the trip (motivation letter for the school, etc.).

To obtain a long-term visa (this includes a student's French visa for 3 months or more), students are provided to the French Embassy:

• 2 questionnaires filled in French;
• Three recent photographs of the established patern (with a light, but not white background, size 35 * 45 mm, without ovals and angles);
• Valid passport (issued less than 10 years ago, having 2 or more empty turns) + a copy of the page with personal data and photos;
• National passport and its full copy;
• A certificate of enrolment to a college or university in France;
• Diploma or certificate with a loose leaf;
• For working students applying for a visa for study in France of type D: certificateof employment (with information about the salary), work record book;
• For students who need a student French visa: a certificate from the college, university, etc .;
• Confirmation of financial solvency - an extract from the account (the minimum required amount of funds on the account for stay in France is 615 euros / month, if the student travels at the expense of the sponsor, financial documents are drawn up for him);
• Confirmation of accommodation for at least 3 months of stay in the country (hotel reservation, confirmation of settlement in an educational institution, application from a physical person for housing, etc.). It is mandatory to indicate the address of residence in France;
• Form of sponsorship letter from the consulate (for students of dependents);
• The consulate letterhead with the cost of flights

The Embassy has the right to request additional documents when preparing a student's French visa. Their number and list are determined on an individual basis.

Important nuances

All documents, except passports, are provided complete with a translation (notarized) in French.

Documents for a visa for study in France of type D 2 are given in separate sets: copies and originals. The latter return after verification.

Lack of originals or copies, bad quality of the latter - sufficient reason for refusing a French visa.