France Tourist Visa - Eligibility, Application, Processing Time

Are you on holiday and wish to visit France for tourism purposes? A France Tourist Visa is the best visa you will use for that effect. In other words, a France Tourist Visa allows you to visit France and stay for a period shorter than 90 days.

Though, it depends on your nationality. The French Tourism Visa permits you to stay in France for ninety days at most per a period of 180 days.

However, except for a Visa marked Limited Territorial Validity Visa, you can travel with this visa to any other Schengen countries within the same period.

In general, France Tourist Visa is the most common type of Visa required for all tourists, except Citizens of Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden who can stay for 90 days with no visa requirement.

Fortunately, this article covers the necessary information on how to obtain the France Tourist Visa both the procedures and processing time.

Why you should visit France for Tourism with France Tourist Visa

France is a land of history, art, and romance. The country is home to world-renowned landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral.
France also has a wealth of cultural experiences to offer visitors, such as opera and ballet. In addition to its renowned attractions, France is also known for its gastronomic fare, with famed chefs such as Alain Ducasse popular around the world.

Who is eligible to obtain a France Tourist Visa

Categorically, to obtain a France Tourist Visa depends on your nationality.

If you are from Andorra, Switzerland or Monaco, or any of the European Union member states or the European Economic Area member states, then you may not use this type of visa to enter France as a tourist and remain there.

However, You will not need to get a French tourist visa either if you are a national of one of the countries listed above. If you need a visa to visit France, it means that you will also need a visa to visit Monaco.

Meanwhile, If you do not belong to any of the countries mentioned and listed here then, you will have to obtain a visa to be allowed to enter France.

Things to Consider Before Applying for a France Tourist Visa

If you are considering applying for a France Tourists Visa, you should examine the following factors:

Examine your International Passport. Make sure your passport meets the validity requirements. If not, then, apply for a new passport before pursuing a France Tourist Visa.

Secondly, Book your flight early to avoid traffic in the process. Do not relax or leave it for the night before your visa appointment after you have completed everything else. You may end up not finding a place on a flight on your scheduled date.

Thirdly, Make sure that everything is as required. This is because the consular officers check everything with the utmost attention.

Therefore, the best thing is to stick to the right procedures and follow the instructions.

What is the right time to submit the Application?

According to the France tourist visa rules, the earliest that you can make the application is 6 months before your booked flight to France. Therefore, submitting the application file at the right time is crucial for a better result in your France Tourist Visa application.

On the other hand, the latest you can do so is two weeks before the date of your intended journey.

Where can I submit my Application for a France Tourist Visa?

Formally, according to the French authorities in your country of residence and how they have regulated visa admission, you may have to submit your application at:

The consular section of the French embassy in your country.
A French consulate in your country.
A third-party visa-processing centre, to which France has sourced visa submission in your home country.
The French embassy/visa processing centre in a near country, to which French authorities in your country of residence have outsourced visa submission.

Note that the best way to apply for a France tourist visa is to visit the French consulate in your country of residence.

In most cases, you will need to provide evidence of your travel plans and enough funds to cover your visit to France.

What will happen if I want to travel to other countries besides France?

If you have to travel to the Schengen Area to visit other countries, then you will have to apply to another embassy, no longer in that of France.

However, this could be easy to achieve though, it sounds a bit complicated.

If that is the case, then follow the below procedures

Firstly, list all the countries you are planning to visit with the intended number of days you would stay in each country.

Then, you will have to apply at the embassy where you are planning to spend most days.

However, in a case where you will be spending an equal amount of days in two countries, you will have to apply at the embassy of the country where you will be landing first.

4 Steps to Obtain a French Tourist Visa?

The steps to obtain a France Tourist Visa may be frustrating, especially for people who have never gone through the process of obtaining a Visa before.

However, the following steps can help you to obtain your France Tourist Visa:

Complete the France Tourist Visa Application form
Collect the required documents.
Book an appointment.
Pay the fees.
Show up at the appointment.

#1. Complete the French Tourist Schengen visa application form

Firstly, you will download the France Tourist Visa application form at the website of the French embassy in your home country. If you can’t do it that way, then you will require it to be sent to you through email by the embassy.

Fill out the application form with honest and correct information. Note that the information you give in this form must comply with that in the other documents, otherwise, your application may not be successful.

In addition, you will have to print the copy twice and sign the two copies and keep one.

#2. Collect the required documents

After you have completed the first step, then, collect the required documents for a France tourist visa.

Consequently, you will have to collect the required documents. Then, ensure that each document is original and photocopied. Do not be careless in handling any of the documents because it might result in the refusal of your application.

However, the following documents must be ready for the application for a France Tourist Visa:

Two passport-style photos. They must be no older than three months.
Your valid passport. It must have been issued within the last 10 years and is valid for a minimum of 3 months after the end of your planned stay in France. The passport must have two free pages to be able to put the visa sticker on it.
Copies of older visas. You will submit other visas you might have gotten from other countries.
Travel Medical Insurance covers at least €30,000 for your entire visit to France and the Schengen.
Evidence of a criminal record in your home country indicates that the candidate is free from any criminal case.
Proof of paid visa fee.
Travel Itinerary. This is a document that shows what you will be doing in France, when you will arrive and when you will leave, and includes proof of arranged transportation i.e. plane ticket booking and hotel booking.
Proof of Accommodation in France. It can be a hotel/ hostel booking, or a letter of invitation if you are planning to stay over with friends or relatives.
Means of subsistence. Evidence that you have the financial capability to cover your whole stay in France and other Schengen countries. This may be a bank statement which is not older than three days covering the last three months or a scholarship certificate indicating how much you will be getting during your whole stay.

#3. Book an appointment

At this stage, you will book an appointment for your interview with a consular officer of the French embassy.

However, this is compulsory for every applicant over 12 years of age.

Meanwhile, you can also book the interview online at the website of the French embassy or consulate in your country. But if the online meeting is not obtainable in your country, then you have no option but to fix an appointment with the consular officer.

#4. Pay the fees

Payment of Visa fees is very compulsory. Meanwhile, you will have to pay the visa fee before you will be able to attend the interview on the day of your appointment, at the embassy, consulate, or visa application centre. The fee for a French tourist visa is €80.

Note, this fee will be paid in euros or other local currency, by the exchange rates applied by the embassy.

Also, remember to be punctual on the day of your appointment or rather, you may suffer cancellation of your appointment which may lead to rescheduling the appointment and make you spend more time in the process.

In addition, while preparing for the interview, Wear something you will be comfortable with, but that looks a bit more official. Arrange your documents before you meet with the consular officer, so you will not have a mess in your hands during the meeting. The interviewer will ask some questions regarding your trip to France, the purpose of travel and other things. Usually, this interview may last not more than 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much bank balance is required for a France tourist visa?

You will need a bank balance of at least 200 euros. The visa can only be issued for 30 days and it must be used within the first 90 days of your arrival in France. If you are not a citizen of the EU or Schengen member state, you will also need a passport valid for at least six months after your planned departure from France.

Is a tourist visa open for France?

France has implemented a stringent visa policy for tourists in recent years.

However, France Tourist visas are now only available to citizens of countries that have been deemed to be highly compliant with the visa regulations in France. This includes all of the European Union member states, as well as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and the United States. Citizens of non-compliant countries must undergo a visa application process that can take up to several months.

How many days we can stay in France on a tourist visa?

France is a beautiful country that’s full of history. It’s easy to spend weeks exploring the various cities and villages. And can even stay longer if you want to go hiking in the Pyrenees, skiing in the Alps, or sailing in the Mediterranean.

How can I stay in France for 6 months?

If you want to stay in France for six months, you will need a valid visa. You can either apply for a six-month tourist visa or a residence permit. The application process is relatively straightforward and can be done at any French embassy or consulate. However, there are some requirements that you will need to meet, such as having a valid passport and proof of finances.

Can I live in France for a year?

Yes, you can live in France for a year as long as you have a valid visa and a work permit. You will need to provide your visa application form, your passport, and your work permit when you arrive in France.

Conclusion

A France tourist visa is a type of visa that allows citizens of certain countries to visit France. It usually lasts for a period of up to 90 days.

Meanwhile, this visa is valid for residents of countries that are members of the European Union. However, you can achieve this goal with the above guidelines.