French Tourist Visa - Visa Application and Visa Requirements

France is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. Stroll through the awe-inspiring Louvre Museum and witness the genius of artists like Leonardo DaVinci, Picasso, and Van Gogh, visit the French riviera and stroll down the idyllic Côte d'Azur, or explore the vineyards of Bordeaux, Champagne, and Burgundy. It is safe to say that France offers an unforgettable travel experience. However, you may need to apply for a France Tourist Visa to enjoy everything France offers.

This in-depth guide will cover everything about your next France Tourist Visa. First, we'll look at who needs a France Tourist visa and the visa-free requirements. Also, we discuss the required documents for your France Tourist Visa and how you can easily apply for your own France Tourist Visa. Finally, at the end of the post, we'll address some frequently asked questions many travelers tend to have.

But first, let's look at some of the most important features of the France Tourist Visa.

France Tourist Visa At A Glance

France forms part of the Schengen Area, and as such, a French Tourist Visa is known as a French Schengen Tourist Visa.

Citizens from countries outside the EU may need to acquire a Schengen Visa before traveling to France. EU, US, & UK citizens do not need a Schengen Visa when traveling to France for 90 days or less.

The main details of this visa are as follows:

France Schengen Visa Fees: France Schengen Visa Fees differ from country to country, but for most countries, it's EU 80.00.

France Schengen Visa Processing Time: In normal circumstances, a France Schengen Visa can take up to 15 days. However, the processing time can take as long as 30 days, depending on the number of applications being processed.

France Schengen Visa Requirements: To apply for a Schengen Visa To France, an applicant will need a complete Flight Itinerary, a full Hotel Itinerary, as well as various other requirements that we'll discuss in detail in this article.

How To Quickly Get Your France Tourist Visa?

The easiest way to get your France Tourist Visa is to let Atlys take care of your visa application for you. You can now save 15 hours and use Atlys to apply for a France Schengen visa on Atlys. Download the Atlys app, put in your travel dates, and let Atlys handle everything for you. You'll be able to schedule your appointment directly on Atlys.

What Is A France Schengen Tourist Visa?

A France Tourist Visa, also known as the short-stay visa or a Schengen Visa, will allow its holders to visit France for a short period. The France Tourist Visa is granted for non-essential purposes, such as tourism and short business trips. With your France Tourist Visa, you can visit France for 90 days per 180 days.

Also, with your France Tourist Visa, you're allowed to visit and travel to any one of the Schengen Countries. If you plan to visit other Schengen member states, add the purposes of your visit and itinerary during your France Tourist Visa application process.

Note that if you wish to stay in France for longer, you'll need to apply for a different type of French visa, like a long-stay visa.

France forms part of the Schengen Area, so you'll have to apply for a French Schengen Visa. Apart from entry into France, a French Schengen Visa grants access to all 26 European countries in the Schengen Zone.

These Countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

When applying for a Schengen Visa, the country you spend the most time in should usually be the country where you apply for your Schengen visa. If you spend an equal amount of time in different countries, the country that is your first entry into the Schengen Zone should be the country where you apply for your Schengen Visa.

Your France Tourist Visa will allow you to visit France for 90 days every 180 days. However, you can only visit France with a Tourist Visa for tourism purposes. Therefore, if the purpose of your travel is not tourism or exceeds 90 days, you'll need to apply for a different type of visa. Check our article on the 90/180-day rule to learn more.

Please note: For the purpose of this post, we'll be referring to the France Tourist Visa as the France Schengen Visa. The France Schengen Visa is precisely the same as a France Tourist Visa, the only difference being the name.

Who Needs A France Schengen Visa?

Not all visitors need to apply for a France Schengen/Tourist Visa to visit France. Some nations enjoy the benefit of visa-free travel. To learn more about the different countries that enjoy visa-free travel, read our in-depth guide about the Schengen Countries.

Next, we'll briefly discuss who needs to apply for A France Schengen Visa...

If EU/EEA/Swiss National

If you are a citizen from the European Union, European Economic Area, or Switzerland, you don't need to apply for any visa to visit France or the French territories. Furthermore, citizens from these nations enjoy visa-free travel to France meaning, you don't need to apply for a France Schengen Visa.

If US Citizen

Due to certain agreements between the US and France, US citizens enjoy the benefit of visa-free travel to France. As a result, you may visit France for a duration that does not exceed 90 days. If you wish to stay in France for more than 90 days, you'll need to apply for a visa that allows you to do so.

Later in this post, we'll talk about the requirements for visa-free travel.

If Green Card Holder

Unfortunately, US Green Card Holders don't automatically enjoy the same visa-free benefits as US citizens. For example, suppose you are a US Green Cardholder. In that case, your nationality (country of your passport) will determine if you'll need to apply for a France Schengen Visa to visit France or not. Luckily, US Green Card holders who need a Schengen visa can apply for their Schengen Visa at the France Embassy or Consulate in the US.

Note that if you are visiting the US with a visitor's visa (B1/B2 visa), you'll need to travel back to your home country and apply for your Schengen Visa from there.

If You Are A Non-EU Citizen

If you're a non-EU citizen (also non-EEA/Switzerland), you'll need to apply for a France Schengen Visa to visit France. You can apply for your France Schengen Visa at your local France Embassy. Later, we'll be discussing everything you need to know about the Schengen Visa requirements and the application.

Where Should I Apply For My France Tourist Visa

We suggest that as soon as you've figured out if you need a French Schengen Visa, your next step should be to determine where you'll be applying for your French Schengen visa. The location of your closest facility might affect how long your application will take due to travel time to and from the facility.

When it comes to making this choice, you basically have 3 options:

1. Use Atlys To Effortlessly Apply For Your French Visa.Atlys is your easiest and quickest option. Atlys is designed to be fast and simple. With Atlys, you can cut the time it takes to apply for your visa in half. Furthermore, Atlys has very helpful and friendly customer service that will help along the way. With the Atlys app, you can apply from the comfort of your home.

2. Apply At Your Local French Embassy or ConsulateApplying at your local French Embassy or Consulate-General Of France is the more traditional way of getting your France Schengen Visa. Keep in mind that this option does involve some uncertainty and time-wasting. Unlike Atlys, there is no clear guidance from the Embassy. Forgetting a document or submitting an incomplete application form can lead to your visa being denied without you even being aware of the error until it's too late.

3. Apply Through A Visa Application CenterSubmitting an application at an application center is fairly similar to submitting an application at the Embassy. In fact, many embassies outsource their visa services to application centers. However, due to the increasing demand for visas, these application centers may become overburdened at times. As a result, there is a lengthier wait time. Also, there are numerous accounts of people who have had negative experiences with the application center's customer support. However, this is not always the case.

When Should I Apply For A France Schengen Visa

To allow yourself enough time and account for any unforeseen circumstances, we suggest that you apply no later than 40 days before your departure date. That being said, the processing time for a Schengen Visa to France is usually around 15 days.

How Much Is The France Schengen Visa Fee

Schengen visa fees depend on the nationality applying for the Schengen Visa. Therefore, the following amounts are only an estimate, and it's recommended that you contact your local embassy to learn about the exact fees.

That being said, we have gathered an average Schengen Visa fee, and most applicants can expect to pay as follows:

For an adult - €80

For children between the age of 6 - 12 years - €40

For children younger than 6 years - Free

Note that paying the visa application fee doesn't guarantee a successful visa application. Instead, the fee you're paying is for the service provided by the Embassy. Also, the payment for your French Schengen Visa is non-refundable.

Fees are liable to change, and we suggest you contact your nearest Embassy or Consulate-General of France to determine the exact fee.

What Are The Visa Free Travel Requirements For France

Some foreign nationals don't need to apply for a Schengen Visa to visit France. However, citizens from these nations must still present a few documents upon entry into France.

The following supporting documents must be presented at the request of the Border Police upon your arrival in France:

A Valid Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date of departure to your home country. Also, it must not be older than 10 years and be in good condition.

Proof Of Accommodation

French authorities may ask you to present proof of accommodation upon your arrival. You must have the supporting documents that indicate where you'll be staying for the duration of your trip. Proof of accommodation can include hotel reservations, Airbnb bookings, or a rental agreement. You can also provide a Certificate of reception "Attestation d'accueil." This is issued by a person who agrees to provide accommodation for you during your trip.

Sufficient Financial Funds

To be eligible to visit France, you'll need to prove you have the financial means to support yourself during your intended stay. If you don't have prepaid accommodation, you'll need to have a total amount of €120 per day. If you have prepaid accommodation, the amount is reduced to €65 per day. If you can provide cheaper accommodation, the total amount reduces to €32.25 per day. Documents you can use to prove sufficient funds include personal bank statements, payslips, credit card statements, and traveler's cheques.

A Return Ticket

You must prove to border control that you'll be leaving France once your initial 90 are over. You may be asked to present a return flight ticket that indicates the exact date you'll be traveling back to your home country. Use the Atlys tool to get a free flight itinerary.

Professional Documents

If you're on a professional trip, you must present a document detailing your profession or capacity. It must also contain details of the establishment or organization in France that is expecting you.

Medical Insurance

Another requirement is that you obtain valid medical/health insurance that provides medical coverage across the entire EU for the duration of your intended stay. In addition, your medical insurance must cover all medical and hospital expenses and medical repatriation costs and expenses in the event of death. You can contact your French Embassy or Consulate General of France to learn more about the specific requirements for your medical insurance. In general, your medical insurance should provide minimum coverage of €30,000.

What Are The Required Documents For A Schengen Visa to France

Before we talk about the Schengen Visa application process, we need to look at the required documents for your France Schengen Visa.

Note that different French Embassies may require you to collect and submit various documents. Therefore, we recommend contacting your nearest French Embassy or French Consulate to learn more about their exact document requirements.

The following documents can be used as a guideline for the documents that you'll need to gather and submit:

Completed France Schengen Visa Application Form

Ensure that the information you provide on the application form is correct and accurate. Incorrect information may lead to your visa application being denied.

2 Passport Photos

Your passport photos must be in color and not older than 3 months. Ensure that your photos meet the following Schengen requirements.

A Valid Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended date you plan to return to your home country. It must be in good condition and not older than 10 years. Also, your passport must have at least 2 blank pages available for your visa sticker/stamps.

Copies Of Older Visas

If you have previously obtained visas for other countries, you'll need to provide copies of those visas.

Medical Insurance/Travel Insurance

You need to obtain valid medical/health insurance that provides medical coverage across the entire EU for the duration of your intended stay. In addition, your medical insurance must cover all medical and hospital expenses and medical repatriation costs and expenses in the event of death. In general, your medical insurance should provide minimum coverage of €30,000.Contact your French Embassy or Consulate General of France to learn more about the specific requirements for your medical insurance.

An Itinerary

You must present an itinerary that indicates a list of things you plan to do during your trip. The itinerary will help support the purpose of your trip. Also, your itinerary will prove to authorities that you intend to depart back to your home country after your visit.

Proof Of Financial Means

You need to prove that you can financially support yourself during the duration of your stay in France. If you don't have prepaid accommodation, you'll need to have a total amount of €120 per day. If you have prepaid accommodation, the amount is reduced to €65 per day. Note that if you provide proof of cheaper accommodation, the total amount reduces to €32.25 per day. Documents you can use as proof include personal bank statements, payslips, credit card statements, and traveler's cheques.

Proof Of Accommodation In France

You need to submit documents that prove where you'll be staying during your visit to France. Documents you can submit include hotel reservations, a rental contract, or an Airbnb reservation. It is also possible to provide a Certificate of reception "Attestation d'accueil." This is issued by a person who agrees to provide accommodation for you during your trip.

Receipt For The France Visa Application

You will need to pay a visa fee of €80 for your France Schengen Visa application.

In addition to the documents mentioned above, you'll need to submit a few extra documents that prove your employment status in your country of origin. The documents you need to submit are as follow:

If You're Employed

An employment contract.

A letter from your employer that permits you to take leave from work.

Your bank statements for the previous 6 months.

An Income Tax Return (ITR) Form

You must provide a letter from your employer confirming you will be leaving for vacation. Also, you can submit your work contract and recent payslips as proof of sufficient funds and proof of employment.

If You're Self-Employed

A copy of your business license.

An Income Tax Return (ITR) Form.

Your company's bank statements for the previous 6 months

A letter from a solicitor, accountant, or Companies House, which confirms your status.

If You're A Student

Proof of enrollment at a recognized educational institution.

A letter from your educational institution that permits you to be absent from your studies.

You'll need to submit a document that proves you are a student. The document you provide must include your personal details, the institution you're studying at, your current major, and must be stamped by the institution. Also, you need to provide proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay. This can be done by providing a work contract, bank statements, or a letter from your sponsor. If you have a sponsor, they should attach all relevant documents to the letter.

If You're Retired

A document that proves you're a retiree (or any similar document).

Pension statement of the previous 6 months.

You can submit a document or certificate that states you are a retiree. You may also present a pension statement from the last 6 months.

What Type Of Travel Insurance Should I Get For A France Schengen Visa Application?

Because most Schengen countries provide public healthcare, travel insurance but not health insurance is required to obtain a French Schengen visa, to ensure that visitors don't become a financial burden on France's health system in the event of unforeseen issues.

The insurance should explicitly meet these financial requirements:

Coverage of at least EUR 30,000.

Be valid in all 26 Schengen States: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Cover medical emergency expenses and anything connected with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent health attention, and/or emergency hospital treatment or death.

For those hoping to get a longer-term Schengen visa, it is advisable to provide travel insurance that lasts the whole year as per this EU directive:

"Applicants for a uniform visa for more than two entries (multiple entries) shall prove that they are in possession of adequate and valid travel medical insurance covering the period of their first intended visit.In addition, such applicants shall sign the statement, set out in the application form, declaring that they are aware of the need to be in possession of travel medical insurance for subsequent stays."

How To Complete Visa Application For A France Tourist Visa?

Next, we'll discuss how you can apply for your France Schengen Visa in a few simple steps.

Step 1 - Gather All The Required Documents For Your France Schengen Visa

The first thing you need to do is gather all the required documents for your Schengen Visa application. If you are unsure about the documents you require, you can contact your nearest French Embassy or Consulate, or you can use this handy tool that will determine the documents you require based on your nationality. We recommend you start gathering your documents as soon as possible. Some documents may take some time to obtain.

Step 2 - Fill Out Your Portuguese Schengen Visa Application Form

Once you have gathered all your required documents, it is time to fill out the France Schengen Visa application form. If your country is eligible, this can be done online. If your country is not eligible, you'll need to download the application form, fill it out, and submit it at the Embassy. When you start filling out the application form, ensure that all details you provide are accurate and correct. Later in this post, we'll walk you through the application form.

Step 3 - Schedule Your Schengen Visa Appointment

After gathering your required documents and filling out your France Schengen Visa application form, you'll need to schedule an appointment at your nearest French Embassy, Consulate, or application center. Ensure that you have all your documents before scheduling your appointment. You'll need to submit your documents at the appointment.

Step 4 - Attend Your Schengen Visa Appointment

On the day of your appointment, you must travel to the Embassy to attend an in-person interview. Here you'll submit all your supporting documents and answer some simple questions about your trip to France. Ensure that you answer all questions truthfully and to your knowledge.

After your interview, you're required to submit your biometric data. This includes a photo and your fingerprints.

Step 5 - Pay The Schengen Visa Fee

Once your interview is finished and the authorities have collected your biometric data, you'll need to pay the visa application fee. You can expect to pay around €80 for your France Schengen Visa.

Note that paying the fee does not automatically guarantee you your visa. The fee is used for the service being provided by the French Embassy or Consulate.

Step 6 - Collect Your Schengen Visa

You're almost finished. Now you need to wait for feedback. Successful applicants will be contacted via mail or email. Once you receive feedback, you can travel back to the Embassy to collect your visa.

Congratulations, you can now legally travel to France with your Schengen Visa.

You can find your visa sticker number on the Schengen visa stamp.

The visa number is the 3-letter country code (issuing country), followed by a 9-digit number. Therefore, in the example above, the visa number is FRA005702202.

What Are The Photo Specifications For A France Visa Application?

The photo requirements for a French Schengen visa follow ICAO standards.

You'll need 2 identical passport photos (recent).

Photo size: 35x45mm or 2 in x 2 in.

In color. No black and white

Head should cover most of the photo.

White background.

What Are The Requirements For Minors Applying For A Visa To France?

Even children require a Schengen visa to travel to France. In addition to all the standard documents, you've to provide the following.

Application form signed by both parents

Birth certificate of the child

If a child is traveling alone, a notarized parental authorization is signed by both parents or guardians.

If the child travels with one of the parents, then there must be an official permission letter issued by a notary in English from the other parent. Furthermore, in case of the parents' absence (divorce, death, etc.), a relevant official certificate (i.e., divorce, death, etc.) must be presented. Additionally, copies of IDs of parents are also required.

While not required, it is preferred that for children who go to school - a reference letter from the relevant school: address and contacts of the school, signature, stamp of the person in charge, and reference to the Embassy should be noted in the letter.