Note
a. France is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Since March 1995, a 'borderless' region known as the Schengen
area has been declared covering the following states: Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland,
France, Luxembourg, The France, Norway, Portugal, France and
Sweden.
Schengen countries now issue standard Schengen visas,
and nationals holding visas issued by one of the Schengen
countries are, in principle, permitted to travel freely within
the borders of all 15. However, since Schengen states are
still free to decide their own visa requirements, entry regulations
may vary and nationals not requiring a visa for one Schengen
country may require one for other Schengen countries. This
has various practical implications and for example, travellers
may be refused entry to a Schengen country for which they
do not require a visa if holding onward tickets to a country
for which they do require a visa.
Travellers should check with the authorities of the country
they intend to visit as to whether they require a visa. If
visiting more than one Schengen country, the traveller should
apply for the Schengen visa to the Embassy/Consulate of the
first or main country to be visited.
PASSPORTS
Passport valid for at least three months after the last day
of the intended visit required by all except:
1. certain nationals of EU countries holding a valid national
ID card. Enquire at the nearest Consulate/Embassy for further
details.
VISAS
Required by all except the following for a period not exceeding
three months:
a. nationals of countries referred to in the chart and under
passport exemptions above.
b. nationals of Argentina, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei,
Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR; blue passport holders only), Iceland,
Israel, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Panama,
Paraguay, Romania, Singapore, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela.
c. transit passengers continuing their journey by the same
or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward
or return documentation and not leaving the airport.
The following nationals always require an airport transit
visa when not leaving the airport, unless they are permanent
residents in the UK, EU, Andorra, Canada, Iceland, Japan,
Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland or
the USA: Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Bangladesh, Burkina
Faso, Cameroon, Congo (Rep), Côte D'Ivoire, Eritrea,
Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, Liberia,
Libya, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia,
Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic and holders of Palestinian
refugee travel documents issued by the Egyptian, Lebanese
or Syrian authorities.
Note:
a. Pupils travelling on a school trip may also be exempt from
visa regulations if their names are entered on a 'List of
Travellers' obtainable from the British Council (telephone
number: (0161) 957 7755), for those resident in the UK.
b. Nationals of Bermuda, although visa-exempt when entering
France, may still require visas to enter other Schengen countries.
c. Visa-exempt nationals may still be required to produce
proofs of financial means of support, hotel bookings or a
return ticket to country of residence, either at borders of
entry or within the Schengen area.
Types
of visa and cost
A uniform Schengen visa, is issued for Short-stay visits (tourist,
business and students), Airport transit, Transit and Long-validity
(circulation) visits.
Visa application fees must be paid at the time of application.
No visa application fee can be refunded, whatever the result
of the application.
All Schengen visa applications are now charged at €35,
irrespective of the duration of stay requested. The fee remains
payable in Pounds Sterling only, approximately £22-26.
Note
a. Prices change with the prevalent exchange rate, so visitors
are advised to check the exact price before travelling. Payment
is by cash or by credit/debit card (excluding American Express
and Diners), and in Pounds Sterling only.
b. Spouses and children of EU nationals can obtain a visa
free of charge on presentation of relevant documentation.
Validity
Short-stay visas are valid
for a maximum of six months from date of issue for single
or multiple entries of maximum 90 days in total.
Transit visas are valid for single or double
entries of maximum five days per entry, including the day
of arrival.
Long-stay visas are valid for up to three
years for a maximum stay of 90 days in every six-month period.
Visas cannot be extended and a new application must be made
each time.
Application to:
All persons wishing to apply must make an appointment by
telephone before attending and submitting their documents
in person at the consulate. An automated telephone appointment
booking service is available. Travellers visiting just one
Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of that country.
Travellers visiting more than one Schengen country should
apply to the Consulate of the country chosen as the main
destination or the country they will enter first.
Application requirements:
a. Passport valid for at least three months longer than
validity of the visa with blank pages to affix visa stamp.
If British, the British Residence permit must exceed the
validity of the requested visa by more than three months.
An exception will be made (one month) for those returning
permanently to their country on presentation of travel tickets.
b. One completed application form.
c. Two passport-size photos.
d. Evidence of sufficient funds for stay (eg a recent bank
statement of less than one month or traveller's cheques;
a minimum of £40 per day spent in France is required).
e. Proof of occupation with letter from employer, accountant,
school or university (less than one month old), or last
three payslips.
f. Return ticket to country of residence, and visa for next
destination if required, or confirmed booking from travel
agent.
g. Evidence of hotel reservations, a certificate of board
and lodging to be obtained by your French host from the
local town hall, means of support or proof of official invitation
from host or company.
h. Evidence of medical insurance (including repatriation
and covering the duration of the requested visa).
i. Fee payable by cash or credit/debit card.
j. For business travellers: a letter of invitation from
a French company.
k. For student trips: a letter from school stating dates
of trip, address in France and name of persons responsible
for student.
Note:
Postal applications are only acceptable for certain nationals;
consult the Consulate for further information.
Working days required
24 hours to several weeks, depending on nationality.
Six to eight weeks for group visas.
Temporary residence
A Work Permit may have to be obtained in France.
For full details, contact the long stay visa section of
the Consulate General, see Contact Addresses section. |
