Applying for a visa to France

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

1. Application form filled in the appropriate way;

2. Valid passport (the minimum period of passport 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 valid second passport, if any;

5. Copies of the national passport (clear, qualitative, facsimile are 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 (an original + a copy), issued in accordance with the requirements of the Schengen;

For the tourist, whose travel is at the expense of the sponsor, students, minors and retirees there are some more requested documents:

Sponsors provide a 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 added with 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.

Retirees 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;
• a copy and an 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 pattern;
• birth certificate (a copy + an original);
• copy and original passport of the parent accompanying the student at the embassy;
• certificate of employment of parents (guardians) specifying salary;
• certificate from the place of study (standard, on the letterhead of educational institution), a copy of the student's record book, student's card, schoolchildren provide only a certificate;
• invitation from the French side (a copy + an original);
• confirmation of accommodation (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 (an original + a 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 of type D to France, which includes a student visa lasting for 3 months or longer, students must submit the following documents  to the French Embassy:

1. Two fully completed questionnaires in French.
2. Three recent photographs conforming to the specifications (light, but not white background, size 35 * 45 mm, without ovals and corners).
3. Valid passport (issued less than 10 years ago, containing 2 or more blank pages) along with a copy of the page with personal data and photo.
4. National passport and a copy of all its pages.
5. A certificate of enrollment in a French college or university.
6. Diploma or certificate with an insert.
7. For employed students applying for a study visa to France of type D: employment verification (including salary details), and work record book.
8. For students interested in obtaining  a student visa to France: a certificate from the college, university, etc is required.
9. Proof of financial solvency - a bank statement (the minimum required account balance for a stay in France is 615 euros/month; if the student is traveling on a sponsor's funds, the sponsor should provide the financial documents).
10. Accommodation confirmation for at least the first 3 months of stay in the country (it could be a hotel booking, confirmation of accommodation from the educational institution, an application from a private individual for housing, etc.). The address of residence in France must be included.
11. Sponsorship letter form from the consulate (for dependent students).
12. The consulate's letterhead outlining flight costs.

Please note, the Embassy reserves the right to request additional documents when processing a student visa to France. These documents will be considered on an individual basis.

Important Information:

All documents, apart from passports, should be provided alongside with a notarized French translation.

Documents for a study visa to France of type D should be submitted in two separate packages: copies and originals. The original documents will be returned after verification.

The absence of originals or copies, or the submission of poor-quality copies, are basis for visa refusal.

All documents, excluding the passport, must be provided along with a notarized translation into French. When applying for a study visa to France of type D, documents need to be submitted in two separate packages: one with originals and the other with copies. The original documents will be returned after they've been verified. Pay attention, that the absence of originals or copies, or the submission of low-quality copies, could lead to a refusal of the visa to study in France.