A France Airport Transit visa serves to people who wish to transit through a French airport to another country, without entering into the territory of France, to join a ship in France as well as to stop as an aircraft staff member. This visa falls under the French short stay visa category due to its 24-hour validity.

Whether one needs a Transit visa to pass through France to their destination, it all depends not only on their nationality and category but also whether they are in possession of any other type of visas.

According to your means of transport as well as the reason for entering France, the transit visa types are as follows:

• Airport transit visa “A-visa”
• Seafarer’s transit visa
• Air-companies’ staff members visa

This article will go through the application process and requirements one has to fulfill in order to be able to obtain a Transit visa.

France Airport Transit Visa Application

The airport transit visa is for foreign nationals who have to land at a France airport for stays not more than 24 hours and who do not intend to leave the international zone of an airport, including for a connecting flight within the day.

The A-visa is not intended for foreigners who have to exit the airport transit area when changing flights for traveling towards a non-Schengen country. In such a case, they should get a Schengen regular short-stay visa for France.

Check if You Need to Apply for a France Airport Transit Visa

Only the following categories of foreign nationals are required to obtain an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) in order to be permitted to transit through one of the French airports:

• Afghanistan
• Ghana
• Republic of the Congo
• Angola
• Guinea
• Russia
• Bangladesh
• Haiti
• Senegal
• Bolivia
• India
• Sierra Leone
• Cameroon
• Iran
• Somalia
• Central African Republic
• Iraq
• South Sudan
• Chad
• Mali
• Sri Lanka
• Ivory Coast
• Mauritania
• Sudan
• Cuba
• Nepal
• Syria
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Nigeria
• Togo
• Dominican Republic
• Pakistan
• Yemen
• Eritrea
• Philippines
• Palestine
• Ethiopia
• Republic of the Congo

**(If you are traveling from an airport located in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Moldova, Turkey or Ukraine)

France Airport Transit Visa Exemptions

However, even the individuals that belong to the above-listed categories may be exempt from the France Airport transit visa requirement, if they are:

• Members of airline crews who are nationals of a state party to the Chicago Convention;
• Holders of a valid residence permit, issued by a member state of the European Union or European Economic Space;
• Holders of a residence permit issued by the Principality of Andorra, Japan, Canada, the United States of America, the Principality of Monaco, the Republic of San Marino, which guarantees the unrestricted right of return;
• Holders of a visa valid for a member state of the European Union or European Economic Space, Canada, the United States of America and Japan;
• The family members of a citizen of the European Union or European Economic Space or Switzerland;
• Holders of a valid Schengen visa, long-stay national visa, or residence permit issued by a Schengen state.

On the other hand, airport transit privilege does not apply and you will need to obtain a France visitor visa if:

• You have to pick up your baggage and/or have to check-in again (please verify with your airline) or
• You are transiting through two or more airports in the Schengen Countries (for example London-Frankfurt-Paris-India or New York-Frankfurt-Munich-China) or
• You hold an open ticket.

Collect the Documents for the French Airport Transit Visa

Required documents to apply for a France Airport Transit Visa:

• A passport or travel document (recognized by the France authorities, not older than 10 years, with a validity not less than 3 months of the visa validity, undamaged, and with at least 2 empty pages) + a photocopy of the passport data page
• A duly completed a France short-stay visa application form. You can fill the visa application online here!
• Two recently made passport-sized photos (biometric)
• A visa or other authorizing document to enter in the final destination (valid) + a photocopy
• A round-trip flight ticket reservation
• An official cover letter from the employer saying that the reason for traveling to the final destination is related to the candidate’s work (signed and stamped) + the complete travel itinerary – if traveling for work
• A cover letter written by the candidate telling the reason for traveling to the final destination – if traveling for private issues
• A completed list of children or family members living out of the home country of the candidate (if required)

Requirements for seafarers

• A cover letter from the applicant to tell the reason for traveling (signed)
• A document showing the right for entering into the territory of final destination (if appropriate)
  • A valid visa/residence permit – issued from the country of final destination
• Documents showing the reason for traveling
  • A work contract revealing the ship’s ensign (nationality), or a letter of appointment
  • A letter of invitation from the cruise company or a port agent in France – where the candidate will join the ship (signed with the steal of the company or agency, with landing and sailing dates)
  • A confirmation letter from the shipping company hiring the candidate – showing that the reason for the candidate’s travel is to complete a job duty (signed and stamped)
  • Candidate’s records book as a seafarer
  • Candidate’s valid seafarer’s certificate
• Previous visas held within the past 3 years with entry stamps
  • Schengen visa
  • US visa
  • UK visa
  • Canadian visa
• A document showing the health situation
  • A medical certificate – showing a healthy candidate, having no transmittable, or otherwise dangerous illness that could be of danger to the public, or any illness that could prevent the candidate to pursue seaman activities

Requirements for Air-companies’ staff members

This visa is for foreign nationals that work in a foreign air company, excluding pilots and flight attendants, traveling on a plane that will be landing in France, and they will have to remain there until the next flight. Applicants need to submit the following documents:

• A document confirming that the candidate is an employee of the airline company
• Airline company staff member ID Card
• An official letter from the airline company – confirming that the visa candidate their worker
• A valid work contract of the candidate with the airline company

How Much Does a France Airport Transit Visa Cost?

Visa candidates will be required to pay €80s after submitting the application for getting the French Airport Visa.

A France Business visa is an authorization to enter France and stay here for a period up to 90 days within a six-month period, as permitted. It permits its holder to engage in business-related activities as the following:

• Attending meetings or conferences.
• Conducting or attending training.
• Conducting internal audits.
• Installing equipment or performing other temporary services for a client, local affiliate or branch office.

Who Needs a France Business Visa?

Every national of a third country that has not yet reached a visa-free regime with the Schengen states, must apply for a France visa for business purposes.

Nationals of the following, are exempt from a visa to travel to France for business purposes.

• the European Union member states
• the European Free Trade Association member states
• Andorra
• Monaco
• Holy See
• The 62 countries under the Schengen visa-free regime.

Additionally, the nationals of a few more countries can be visa-exempt on several occasions, as when traveling with a diplomatic passport.

How to Apply for a French Business Visa?

Applying for a France business visa means completing several procedures, which are slightly different from the application procedures for other French visas.

Though at first the application process for a France short-stay business visa may seem like a lot of work to do, in particular, if this is your first time applying, if you pay attention you will notice that it is not as hard.

You just need to follow these procedures in the given order and make sure the requirements meet the criteria set by French authorities.

Below, find each step of the application process for a France business visa explained:

Complete the French Business Visa Application Form

To apply for a French visa for business purposes you will need to complete two forms:

• The online form at the French visa portal.
• The Schengen visa application form, which is the same for all purposes of entry and all Schengen countries.

First, complete the form at the French visa portal. Give all the required information correctly, and then at the end, you will receive a list of the documents required for the application. This includes the Schengen visa application form.

You can find this form at the visa portal of France, or ask the French embassy in your country of residence to provide you with one. Complete this form on your computer, print it, and then sign it at the end.

Collect the France Business Visa Required Documents

Copy the list you receive upon the completion of the online form at the French visa portal and start collecting all of these documents. Aside from the commonly required documents for a French visa, you will also need to collect some additional documents for a business visa, as follows:

• Completed French Business Visa Application Form.
• Two passport-style photos in accordance with France visa photo requirements. They must be no older than three months.
• Your valid passport. It must be valid for a minimum of 3 months after the end of your planned stay in France. The passport must have at least two blank pages in order to be able to put the visa sticker on it.
• Copies of older visas. If you have ever held any visa to any country in the world, submit copies of those visas.
• Travel Health Insurance for your entire stay in France. It should cover not only France but also the whole territory of Schengen with a minimum of €30,000.
• Complete Travel Itinerary. A list of the things that you are planning to do while in France, including details about how you are planning to reach France. Attach supporting documents as a Round Trip flight, a railroad booking or a document of a booked organized tour (where transportation is included)
• Proof of financial means. The French authorities want to know how you will be financing yourself while in France. That is why you should submit the following documents that apply to your situation, as a part of this requirement:
  • Recent bank statements.
  • Employment contract stating your salary, if you will be working in France.
  • Income from rented property.
  • Retirement benefit plan.
  • A letter of declaration from a sponsor stating the readiness to cover your costs for the period of stay, accompanied by documents that confirm possession of money of such sponsor (i.e. bank statements of last 3 months, other).
  • Other documents that prove you have the means to support yourself for the whole duration of stay in France.
• Proof of accommodation in France. Another very important document that you need to submit is proof where you will be staying in France. According to the purpose of your trip, at least one of the following should be submitted:
  • Hotel or hostel reservations.
  • Certificate of reception “Attestation d’accueil” stamped by the city hall (for private visits)
  • Rental contract – “Bail de location” in France if you will be staying in a rented place.
• Certificate of criminal record of the home country– showing that candidate has no open crime case involvement.
• Proof of paid visa fee.
• Invitation letter from the French company you will be visiting and their detailed address accompanied with the dates of your visit.
• A certificate from your employer stating/allowing your business travel describing precisely the activity, the motive, the duration and the place of your meeting, seminar or conference.
• Proof of previous trade relations between the two companies, if applicable.
• Business bank statement for the latest 6 months.
• Regarding the applicant’s expenses during stay in the Schengen zone, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter of invitation.
• Where appropriate, entry cards at fairs or congresses.

Yet, depending on your case and the embassy of your country, you may be asked to submit additional documents. Make sure to submit them all as required.

Find Out Where You Need to Apply

Note that when you complete the online form, you will also be asked to make an appointment with the relevant French authorities in your country of residence, for visa application submission.

Depending on the French authorities in your country of residence, there are a few options where you may have to lodge your France business visa application. This could be any of the following:

• The French embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
• A visa-processing center in charge of visa admission on behalf of French authorities, in your country of residence.
• One of the three authorities listed above, located in a neighboring country, to which French authorities in your home country have outsourced visa processing.

Book an appointment

After you find out where you should lodge your application, make a visa appointment with them. You will usually have to make the appointment online at their website, or through a phone call.

Make sure that the application date you book is at least two weeks before the intended date of your trip, and at most three months in advance.

Attend the Visa Interview

A visa interview for a French Business visa is compulsory for every applicant. The interview takes place on the same date that you submit your visa application file.

During the interview, a visa consular will ask you several questions on your intended trip to France. You will have to submit your documents to this person as well.

If this is the first time in last five years that you are traveling to a Schengen country, then you will also need to give your biometrics – your facial image and fingerprints – on the same day.

Pay the French Business visa fee

On the day of your appointment, you should also pay a visa fee. The fee is required in order to cover the expenses that come out of the processing of your visa application.

The France Business visa fee is €80. Yet, the nationals of a few countries and categories need to pay a lower fee of only €35.

When Will I Get a Response on My Application?

As a rule, all French embassies are obliged to notify the visa applicants wishing to travel to France for business purposes, within two weeks of application. This period may be extended for some more days in specific cases, and if the authority in charge of processing your application is receiving too many applications at the time.

How Long Can I Stay in France With a Business Visa?

The longest that you can remain in France is three months for a period of half a year. Note that it depends on the French embassy that processes your visa, how long they want to let you stay in France.

This could be two days or three months, and every other period in between. You can also get a single entry visa, or a multiple entry visa, which permits you to return to visit France more than once, within the number of permitted days of stay.

You will have all this information on your visa sticker.

What Is the Easiest Way to Get a France Business Visa?

The easiest way to get a France business visa is to meet all of the requirements set by the French authorities, and follow the procedures correctly, given and explained in this article. There is no short road. Every traveler and every businessperson will need to follow the rules, in order to get the authorization to travel to France.

Tips on Traveling to France with a Business Visa

These tips will be very useful to you, in particular, if this is your first time traveling to France with a business visa. But even if not, some of them may come quite handy to you.

• Wear formal clothes. If you go into a business meeting in France in ripped jeans and a baggy sweater, it will not be appreciated, no matter how good of a business person you are. You should respect the business rules in France, and they want people at business meetings and gatherings wearing suits and formal dresses.
• Use the words ‘Monsieur’ or ‘Madame’ to address others. You have no idea how much formality is appraised in France. If you want to make a good impression, you should address with the words ‘Monsieur’ to men and ‘Madame’ to women.
• Learn some basic words in French. Even if the meetings are to be conducted in English or another language you are familiar with, it is always an advantage to know a few words in French.
• Light handshakes. Yeah, French people do not like others to grab and squeeze their hands. Light handshakes, which last two or three seconds, are the norm, in particular in the business world.

France short-stay visas, among others, make possible for non-French and non-EU family members that live outside of France and the EU to come to France and meet their parents, children or spouse. There is a special category that has been established especially for visitors who wish to enter France and remain there less than 90 days, under the purpose of visiting a family member.

Of course, obtaining a French Family Visit Schengen Visa is not easy at all, even when you have family members waiting for you in France, whom you cannot wait to meet. All the visa application procedures may seem complicated and in many cases nonsense to you.

Do I Need to Apply for a French Visitor Visa?

Even when it comes to France Visitor Visas, whether you need or you do not need a Visitor Visa to visit France or its overseas territories, collectivities, departments, and regions, it all depends on your nationality.

If your country of citizenship does not have a visa facilitation agreement with France or the EU, then you will probably have to obtain a short-stay Visitor Visa in order to be allowed to enter France to visit your family member.

France Short Stay Visitor Visa Types

If one of your family members resides in France, either as a French citizen or EU citizen, and you have come to realize you need a visa to visit them, you just need to know that you will have to follow similar visa procedures depending on your situation, which still differ from each other at some point. That is why, before deciding under which Visitor Visa category to apply, it is better to figure out under which category your case falls.

Note: Keep in mind that obtaining a French Visitor Visa doesn’t grant you with the permission to stay in France beyond the visa period. If you wish to stay longer in France, you will have to apply for one of the French Long Stay Visitor Visas depending on your situation.

France Schengen Visa to marry a French Citizen

If you are planning to marry a French citizen in France then you will have to apply under the France short stay marriage visa, which permits you to remain in France up to 90 days within a 180 days period.

The main thing that you need to possess when submitting your application is a document regarding the intended wedding, which in French is called “Certificat de publication des bans et de non opposition”. In addition, you will have to submit information regarding the French citizen you are planning to marry.

France Visitor Visa for a family member of a French citizen

This is a visa issued to family members, children and spouses of French citizens living in third countries, who wish to visit their spouses for a shorter period than three months. Among the main requirements that the foreign national has to submit in this case is the French marriage certificate called “Copie Intégrale de l’Acte de Mariage”, children’s birth certificates, as well as information on the French citizen.

Under current French law, family members of a French citizen are defined as below:

• Spouse.
• Children up to 21 years of age.
• Parents.
• Parents and children of his/her foreign citizen spouse under foreign spouse’s charge.

France Visitor Visa for a family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen

Every third world national that has an EU family member, spouse or parent, residing in France (who is not a French national) can apply for this type of visa. Evidence should be submitted to prove the family relationship between the EU citizen and their family member.

Under current EU law, family members of a EU citizen are defined as below:

• Spouse.
• Children up to 21 years of age.
• Parents.
• Parents and children of his/her foreign citizen spouse under foreign spouse’s charge.

France Short stay Visitor Visa for relative of non EU/EEA/Swiss residents in France

You can apply for this France short-stay Visitor Visa even if your family member residing in France is not a French or EU national. In this case, spouses and children under 18 can apply for a visa that allows them to enter France and remain there for up to 90 days. In this case the family member living in France will have to prove they have the financial means to support the family members applying to come to France as well as to show they have enough room for each.

How to Get a French Visitor Visa?

The application process for all French visas is pretty much the same. It is mostly similar for all types of Visitor Visas as well. The sole difference lays in the required documents. If this is the first time that you are applying for a visa and you feel clueless how to do that, then follow the French visa application steps outlined here.

Documents to submit for a French Visitor Visa

No matter under which of the Visitor Visa categories you are applying, there are some commonly required documents that you will have to submit at the embassy on the day of your interview.

• Completed French Visitor Visa Application Form. Make sure you complete the application form correctly.
• Your valid passport. The passport must have at least two blank pages in order to be able to put the visa sticker on it. The passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and should be valid for a minimum of 3 months after the end of your planned stay in France.
• Two photographs. You should submit two photos alongside with the other documents. They must be no older than three months and taken according to the France Visa Photo Requirements.
• Copies of older visas. If you have ever held any visa to any country in the world, submit copies of those visas.
• Complete travel itinerary. A list of the things that you are planning to do while in France, including details about how you are planning to reach France. Attach supporting documents as a Round Trip flight, a railroad booking or a document of a booked organized tour (where transportation is included)
• Proof of financial means. The French authorities want to know how you will be financing yourself while in France. That is why you should submit the following documents that apply to your situation, as a part of this requirement:
  • Recent bank statements.
  • Employment contract stating your salary, if you will be working in France.
  • Income from rented property.
  • Retirement benefit plan.
  • A letter of declaration from a sponsor stating the readiness to cover your costs for the period of stay, accompanied by documents that confirm possession of money of such sponsor (i.e. bank statements of last 3 months, other).
  • Other documents that prove you have the means to support yourself for the whole duration of stay in France.
• Certificate of criminal record of the home country– showing that applicant has no open crime case involvement
• Proof of paid visa fee. The fee for a French visitor visa is €80. The family members of French citizens, as well as the family members of a citizen of another Member State of EU/EEA and Switzerland are exempt from the visa fee requirement.

On the other hand, there is a number of category-specific documents that you will have to collect and submit, as following:

Additional documents for the spouse of a French citizen

• Proof of nationality of the spouse living in France, which can be a passport or identity card
• “Livret de Famille” – which is a marriage certificate upon the French civil registry

Additional documents for the foreign child /spouse of an EU citizen

• Both biological parents’ passport
• Proof of Guardianship – in case the child applicant in under 18 and trusted to a third person, then this person needs to possess an official document in the form of an authorization signed by both parents
• Authorization by parent – if the child is traveling with only one parent
• Court decision – if only one parent, has the sole custody of the child
• Valid passport of the European citizen of the EU / EEA / Swiss National
• Proof of accommodation –  This could be a hotel booking the EU/EEA/Swiss national, or a document called Attestation d’accueil – in case the visitors will be staying over at the French resident. This document issued by the local town hall off the host person residence, must confirm that the host has enough space for the visitor for their entire period of stay.
• A sworn statement – from the EU family member, which states that the visa applicant is their dependent
• Proof of relationship – between the child/spouse and the citizen residing in France

Additional documents for the foreign parent of a French child

• Proof of the family ties between the applicant and the French child, full birth certificate.
• Proof of the child’s French nationality, valid passport or CNIS.
• Proof that you travel along or join the French national in France.

Also, all French short stay Visitor Visa applicants must submit a document that proves they have obtained a travel insurance policy that covers their entire stay in France or Schengen Area.

What Can I do If I Want to Stay in France Longer Than 90 Days?

If you have been planning to travel across France, but you think that a France visitor visa that permits you to stay there for three months would just not be enough, then do not worry since you can still apply for a French long-stay visitor visa, which is valid for up to a year and serves the same purpose.

A France long-stay visitor visa not only allows you to enter France to visit family and friends but also to seek medical treatment at a French hospital.

If you are planning to apply to go to France with a long-stay visitor visa, you should know that depending on your intended period of stay, you can apply for either:

• A temporary long-stay visa that permits you to stay in France for 4 to 6 months. You will not be able to extend your stay under this visa.
• A long-stay visa worthy of residence – that permits you to stay in France from 4 to 12 months, which you will have to validate upon your arrival in France.

Calculate the number of days you can stay in France through the 90/180 rule calculator.

Documents to submit

The specific documents required for a French long stay visitor visa, in addition to the generally required ones, are the following:

• OFII form.
• Proof of activity in your home country:
  • if you are a student, submit a document that confirms it
  • if you are employed, submit your work contract
  • if you are retired, a document that confirms it
• Cover letter explaining your reasons to visit France
• Proof of accommodation – you will have to show where you will be staying for the first three months of your stay in France, that could be:
  • a rental agreement signed by both parties,
  • a letter of invitation – if you are going to stay with friends or relatives, which includes information on your relationship with the host, as well as their details as name and surname, telephone number, email, home address.
• Sworn statement not to undertake any paid activity in France (since you are not allowed to work under a long-stay visitor visa)

Stay longer for medical treatment

Before you apply for France long stay visitor visa in order to undergo a medical treatment, consult a doctor that advises you to seek medical treatment in France, due to lack of treatment in your home country. You will have to submit the proof in this regard, including a diagnosis of your illness.

Remember that the medical insurance will not cover your medical care in France and you will have to pay for it by yourself.

If you wish to visit France with the purpose of tourism for a period shorter than 90 days, depending on your nationality, you might be required to obtain a France Tourist visa first.

The French Tourist visa permits you to stay in France for 90 days at most per a period of 180 days. Aside from the cases when your visa is marked as a Limited Territorial Validity visa, in general, you are permitted to travel with this visa to the other Schengen countries within that period.

Who needs a France Tourist Visa?

Whether you need or you do not need a short-stay visa to visit European France or its overseas territories, collectivities, departments, and regions, it all depends on your nationality.

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

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

If you do not belong to any of the countries mentioned and listed above then you will probably have to obtain a visa in order to be allowed to enter France.

Things to Consider Before Applying for a French Tourist Visa

Before you apply for a French tourist visa you should:

• Check your passport. Make sure your passport meets the validity requirement. If not, apply for a new one before you apply for a visa.
• Book your flight in time. Do not leave it for the night before your visa appointment after you have completed everything else. You may fail to find a place on a flight on your intended date.
• Make sure everything is as required. Do not tell yourself “Maybe they won’t notice this,” or “they can’t make a huge deal out of such a small detail.” The consular officers check everything with the utmost attention, so you’d better follow all procedures and meet all requirements.

When Can I Submit the Application?

Submitting the application file at the right time is crucial for a positive outcome on your France Tourist Visa application. According to the France tourist visa rules the earliest that you can make the application is six months before your booked flight to France.

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

Where Should I Lodge my Application for a France Tourist Visa?

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 center, to which France has outsourced visa submission in your country.
• The French embassy/consulate/visa processing-center in a neighboring country, to which French authorities in your country of residence have outsourced visa submission.

What if I have to travel to other countries besides France?

If you will be traveling to the Schengen Area to visit other countries aside from France, then you might have to apply to another embassy, rather in that of France. This might sound a bit complicated to many, but actually, it is very simple.

First of all, list the countries you are planning to visit and write the number of days you are going to spend in each country. Apply at the embassy where you are planning to spend most days. I.e. if you are visiting Germany and France, and you will be spending three days in the first and five in the latter, then you will have to apply at the embassy of the country where you will be spending more days, in this case in France.

On the other hand, if you will be spending an equal amount of days in two countries or more, i.e. two in France, two in Germany, two in Switzerland, then you will have to apply at the embassy of the country where you will be landing first.

How to Obtain a French Tourist Visa?

The application process for a French Tourist visa might seem complicated and frustrating, especially for people who have never had to obtain a visa before. However, if you make a list of the steps you have to take and follow them slowly, then you will easily achieve your goal and obtain the visa:

1. Complete the French Tourist Schengen visa application form.
2. Collect the required documents.
3. Book an appointment.
4. Pay the fees.
5. Show up at the appointment.

Complete the French Tourist Schengen visa application form

You can find the France tourist visa application form at the website of the France embassy in your home country. If you do not, then you can require a form to be sent to you online through email by the embassy.

Fulfill the application form with honest and correct information. Keep in mind that the information you give in this form must comply with that in the other documents, otherwise, your application most probably will be rejected. Do not forget to print it twice, and sign both copies at the end.

Collect the required documents

After the completing application form, collect the required documents for a France tourist visa. Take care to have each document in original and copy. Do not miss even one document on the day of your appointment since that might result in the refusal of your application.

You should submit the following documents to apply for a Tourist visa for France:

• Completed French Tourist Visa Application Form. Make sure you complete the right form, and the information you provide is correct.
• 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 valid for a minimum of 3 months after the end of your planned stay in France. The passport must have at least two blank pages in order to be able to put the visa sticker on it.
• Copies of older visas. If you have ever held any visa to any country in the world, submit copies of those visas.
• Travel Medical Insurance covers a minimum of €30,000 for your entire stay in France and the Schengen.
• Certificate of criminal record of the home country– showing that candidate has no open crime case involvement
• 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 as i.e. plane tickets 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 at friends or relatives.
• Means of subsistence. Proof that you have the financial means to cover your whole stay in France and other Schengen countries if you are planning to. This could be: a bank statement no older than three days covering the last three months or a scholarship certificate stating how much you will be receiving during your whole stay.

Book an appointment

You will need to book an appointment for your interview with a consular officer of the French embassy. The interview is a must for every applicant over the age of 12. Book the interview online at the website of the France embassy or consulate in your country. If that option is not available in your country, then you will have to go to the embassy to schedule an appointment.

Pay the fees

You will have to pay the visa fee before you attend the interview on the day of your appointment, at the embassy, consulate, or visa application center. The fee for a French tourist visa is €80.

You will have to pay the fee in euros or the local currency, according to the exchange rates applied by the embassy.

On the day of the appointment

On the day of your appointment, show up on time at the France embassy, consulate or visa application center. Getting there late might result with the cancellation of your appointment, and then you will have to schedule another appointment and wait for your turn.

Wear something you will be comfortable with, but that looks a bit more official. Try not to be nervous. Arrange your documents prior to your meeting 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 etc. In general, this interview lasts less than 10 minutes.

France Tourist Visa Validity

The validity of your visa depends on the French embassy that issued it to you. The maximal validity of a French tourist visa can be three months, within half a year.

Now the embassy may issue you a visa for the required period, i.e. ten days, three weeks, or even three or five days. On the other hand, you can still get a multiple entry 3 months valid visa, in particular, if you are a frequent traveler to the Schengen territory.

Can I visit Other Countries in Europe?

It depends on the type of Schengen Visa you’re granted. If the visa sticker in your passport says “Schengen States” or “États Schengen” or the same words in another EU language, then you can travel in the whole Schengen territory with that visa, as soon as it becomes valid.

On the other hand, if your visa says “Schengen states (-the acronym of a country)” it means you cannot visit only that particular country i.e.  “Schengen states (-ES)” it means you can visit all the Schengen states but Spain. You can also receive a visa that includes only the acronyms of the states you are permitted to visit i.e. “F, FIN, GR”, which means you can only visit France, Finland, and Greece.

Tips for Traveling With a France Tourist Visa

You may be an experienced traveler, or at least you have previously been to France as a tourist. Yet, some extra tips may be quite handy for you. After you receive your France tourist visa:

• Make a list of the places you want to see in France. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Arch of Triumph, these are of course things every person in France with a tourist visa wants to see. Yet, you should know that traveling from one place to the other will take time. Therefore, instead of just going from the Eiffel Tower to the Arch of Triumph, you should take the time to visit the places in between. That my friend, is called good trip planning.
• Pack according to the weather. You should pack according to the temperatures in France. Still, always take with you at least an outfit for colder weather, and one for warmer days than foreseen.
• Take comfy shoes with you. You may have to do a lot of walking.

When in France with a tourist visa:

• Keep cash. In most places, you can pay with a card, but in others, you may have to pay in cash, in particular, in smaller shops and restaurants.
• Be careful of pickpocketing. Especially in crowded places as museums and highly frequented streets. They may come from behind of you, or snatch your wallet or phone out of your hands. Keep these things always close.
• Try the street food. Whether it is a baguette sandwich, grilled cheese, or crêpes, you should try at least one of them. Visiting France is meaningless if you do not take the time to taste street food.

The French short-term study visa is for foreigners who wish to come to France under study purposes and remain there for up to three months. This visa is not suitable for students who wish to come and attend a university or college since one semester is at least 4 months long. Rather this visa is suitable for students who wish to come to France to:

• Attend a language course
• Attend a course as a student
• Sit for a university entrance exam
• Attend a university entrance interview
• Attend training as a student
• Trainee caregiver (young au pair)
• School-going minor

To be able to enroll in a course that lasts longer than three months you should apply for the France Student Visa instead.

How to Apply for a France Schengen Visa for Study Purposes?

The France short-stay study visa application process is similar to the application process for other French Schengen visas. You will have to follow some certain steps in order to complete the application.

1. Find out whether you need to apply.
2. Complete the document file and book an appointment.
3. Pay the French Short Term Study Visa fee.
4. Attend the interview on time.

Find out whether you need to apply

Whether you need a France short-stay Study visa to go to France or its overseas territories, collectivities, departments, and regions under study purposes, it all depends on your nationality.

If your country of citizenship doesn’t have a visa facilitation agreement with France or the EU then you will probably have to obtain a short stay study visa in order to be allowed to enter France or is overseas territories.

Complete the document file

You will have to submit some documents that are usually required for a French short stay visa but also some visa specific documents as follows:

• Letter from the school or university that confirms your dates of leave as well as details about the school and your course.
• If employed: a working certificate that states the period you have been working there as well as your salary & payslips for the last three months.
• If self-employed: a letter specifying your personal activity and revenues from your accountant or local Chamber of Commerce and VAT certificate.
• For minors:
  • Both biological parents’ passport.
  • Proof of Guardianship – in case the child applicant in under 18 and trusted to a third person, then this person needs to possess an official document in the form of an authorization signed by both parents.
  • Authorization by a parent – if the child is traveling with only one parent.
  • Court decision – if only one parent, has the sole custody of the child.
  • Valid passport of both parents.
  • An up-to-date school letter that authorizes the child’s leave from school.
• Travel medical insurance that covers your entire stay in France and the Schengen Area.

The French embassy or consulate in your home country has the right to ask for extra documents, which you will have to submit as soon as possible in the given time.

Pay the French Short Term Study Visa fee

There is a standard fee of €80 for a French Schengen visa application, however, you may fall into a group of people that are exempt from this payment. Visit the following article for details on the French visa fees.

Remember that you will not be reimbursed if your visa application is rejected, or you do not attend the interview.

Attend the interview

The interview may last around 10 minutes. You will be asked a few questions on your trip to France, what you are planning to do there, etc.

France Short-stay Visa to attend a language course

This is a visa for people who wish to come to France to learn a language, mainly French. It allows you to come to France and remain for up to three months without the need to obtain a residence permit. You will not have to pay a fee when applying for this visa. However, you will be unable to renew it, as you can with other types of study visas.

France Short-stay Visa to attend a course as a student

Foreigners who wish to come to France to attend a course (i.e. cooking, architecture, etc.) need to obtain a France short-stay study visa first. However, they will not need to obtain a residence visa.

France Etudient Concours visa

If you have applied to become part of an educational institution (university, college) in France, but you have to sit for an entrance exam in France first, then you will have to apply for a Etudient Concours visa. This visa allows you to apply for a one-year, renewable residence permit if you pass your exam. You will have to apply directly at the French local authority/administrative office called prefecture for a residence permit in this case.

France Visa to attend a university entrance interview

If you have applied at a university or any other educational institution in France, and you will have to attend an interview in order to be accepted, then you will have to apply for a France visa for the purpose of attending the university entrance interview. This is the same case as with the entrance exam since if you pass the interview and are officially accepted at the educational institution you have applied at, you will be permitted to apply for a one year, renewable, residence permit.

France Visa to attend training as a student

This visa is for students who wish to come to France to participate

• in a project that is part of a training course organized in the applicant’s home country.
• an EU cooperation program.
• an intergovernmental scheme in the fields of education, training, youth or culture.

Remember that if the training you are planning to attend exceeds 90 days then you will have to apply for a long-stay visa instead. One of the main required documents that you will have to submit when applying to enter France in order to attend a training, is a training agreement that has been established between you, the training establishment and the host in France.

France Young Au Pair Visa

Foreigners aged 17-30 who wish to temporarily stay with a family in France in order to be able to study French, can obtain a Young Au Pair visa. The main requirement from the applicant and the host family as an au pair placement agreement, which must be submitted to the DIRECCTE by the host family. The agreement must indicate:

• The services that the applicant will be required to provide to the family.
• Applicant’s working hours (five hours maximum per day).
• Details about applicant’s board and lodging.
• Applicant’s weekly rest days (one rest day per week including one compulsory Sunday a month).
• The jointly agreed amount of pocket money the applicant will receive from the host family.

The applicant shall also submit their medical certificate that must be no older than 3 months, translated into French by a sworn translator.

France School Going Minor Visa

If you have a child under the age of 18, whom you are planning to send to France to:

• a public or private teaching establishment or
• a language, arts, cooking or sports center

You must apply on behalf of them for a School Going Minor visa called ‘études’. Remember that you will have to apply for this type of visa only if your child’s stay does not exceed 3 months. Otherwise, you will have to apply for a long-stay visa on your child’s behalf.

Monaco is one of the richest countries in the world, and a famous destination for wealthy individuals, packed with luxurious hotels, resorts, and casinos.

If you want to visit Monaco, you need to see if you need to obtain a Monaco visa to enter. However, the Republic of Monaco does not have a visa system, so to visit Monaco, you need to apply for a France visa at the nearest embassy/consulate of France.

Do I Need a Visa to Go to Monaco?

Because Monaco does not have its own visa system, it uses the same visa requirements as France. So, if you need a visa to visit France, you will also need a visa to visit Monaco.

In a nutshell, if you want to visit Monaco for 90 days and are a citizen from one of the countries listed below, you do not need a visa to enter Monaco:

• If you are a citizen from a country with a visa-free agreement with Schengen.
• Citizens of EU/EEA/Switzerland and their family members.

Everyone else needs to apply for a visa to visit Monaco. 

Document Checklist for Monaco Visa

To apply for a Monaco visa, you must submit the documents listed below at France’s nearest embassy/consulate in your home country.

• A valid passport. Your passport must be valid at least three months after your return date. Include a copy of your previous visas (if any).
• Two photos. Photos must be taken within the last six months; they must be in colors and taken on a light background.
• Application form. You must fill out the application form for a Monaco visa completely and with sincere answers. However, to complete the application form first, you need to download it online, print a hard copy, fill it out and sign it at the end.
• Fee payment receipt. You can finish the payment for your visa application at the embassy/consulate of Monaco when submitting the documents. Make sure you attach the receipt of the payment to other requested documents.
• Health insurance. Document proof that you have valid health insurance. Your health insurance must be valid within the whole Schengen area and cover at least €30,000 for medical emergencies.
• Bank statement. This is a document issued from your bank, and it must prove that you are financially stable and can finance yourself while in Monaco.
• Cover letter. Your cover letter is an introduction to the embassy/consulate. The cover letter must explain the purpose of your visit, how long you plan to stay, which countries you plan to visit, etc.
• Accommodation proof. An accommodation proof is a document proving that you have a place to stay while in Monaco. This can be a document from a rental agreement, a letter of invitation, a hotel reservation, etc.
• Invitation letter (if applicable). An invitation letter is a document issued by a family member or a friend living in Monaco, stating they will sponsor your trip or accommodate you.
• Criminal record. The criminal record is a document issued by the police of your home country, and it must prove that you are not a threat to the Republic of Monaco.
• Flight itinerary. A flight itinerary is a document showing your flight plan. This document must include flight date and time, return flight ticket, airplane airline, etc.

Monaco Visa Application Process

You have to apply for a Monaco visa at the nearest embassy or consulate of France, by following these steps:

1. Contact the nearest embassy/consulate of France and book an appointment. Make sure you book your appointment well in advance of your trip – at least two weeks.
2. Gather and submit all the requested documents at the French embassy/consulate. Make sure you gather all the requested documents and submit them to the nearest embassy/consulate of France in your home country.
3. Wait for an answer. Within ten working days, you will receive an answer via text or email from the embassy/consulate of France responsible for your Monaco visa application. You can then travel to France and through France enter Monaco.

Keep in mind that any false information or missing documents can lead to your visa refusal. 

Monaco Visa Application Interview Questions

When applying for a Monaco visa, you may be asked to be interviewed. You will find below some of the most common questions asked in a visa interview:

• Why do you plan to visit Monaco?
• How old are you?
• What do you do for a living?
• Are you married?
• Do you have children? If yes, how many?
• Do you plan on returning to your home country after your Monaco visa expires?
• Have you traveled abroad before?
• Are you traveling alone?
• Can you show us your bank statement?
• Would you like to live in Monaco?
• Do you have any family members in Monaco, etc.?

Monaco Visa Fees

The fee for a Monaco visa application is as follows:

• €80 for a standard visa.
• €40 for children under the age of 12.

Because visa applications for Monaco are submitted through the French embassy, the fees are the same as French visa fees.

You are exempted from paying the visa fee if you are:

• A child between 0-6 years.
• A researcher who is traveling for research reasons.
• A student who is traveling with their school.
• An EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen. Then you and your family members do not need to make the payment for your visa application.

Monaco Visa Processing Time

The processing time for a Monaco visa is around ten working days. However, the processing time depends on several factors, such as:

• When you submit the application form.
• On your age.
• Where you live, etc.

Make sure you submit your application before at least two weeks before your travel date to avoid trip disruptions in case the processing time is delayed.

How Long Can I Stay in Monaco With a Visa?

The duration of a Monaco visa depends on the type of visa you apply for:

• If you apply for a short-stay visa, its duration is three months. You can calculate the period of legal stay in Monaco here.
• If you apply for a long-stay visa, the duration of this visa is one year.

Monaco Visa Extension

You can exceed the three months limit in Monaco, only if you apply for an extension. However extensions are granted only in exceptional cases:

• You have a strong personal reason.
• Your country is facing political problems.
• Force majeure or humanitarian reasons that prevent you from leaving Monaco.

What Can I Do If My Application Is Refused?

However, if your visa for Monaco is rejected, you can:

• Re-apply one more time for the same visa.
• Apply for a visa to another Schengen country.
• Appeal the rejection. You can write an appeal letter to the embassy/consulate of Monaco that refused your visa.

Your Monaco visa can be rejected for many reasons, such as:

• The passport not being in good condition or valid.
• Missing documents.
• Not attending your visa appointment on time.
• Providing false information.

Monaco Residence Permit

If you are planning on staying longer than one year in Monaco, you need to apply for a Monaco temporary residence permit. A temporary residence permit will allow you to stay in Monaco for five years. To apply for a Monaco temporary residence permit, you need to follow these steps:

• Apply for a France long-stay D visa. A France long-stay D visa will allow you to enter Monaco through France. You do not need to apply for a France long-stay visa if you are an EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen; you can immediately enter Monaco and apply for a residence permit there.
• After entering Monaco, you can apply for a residence permit at the Public Security Bureau.

Monaco Residency by Investment

You can also obtain a residence permit by investing in Monaco. However, to obtain a residence permit by investment in Monaco, you need to fulfill the following criteria:

• You must invest at least 500,000 in a business in Monaco.
• You must rent or own a property in Monaco.
• You must have a clean criminal record.
• You must pass an individual interview.
• You must have proof that you have invested in Monaco.

Working in Monaco: Monaco Work Permit

If you want to work in Monaco, you must apply for a Monaco work permit. To obtain a work permit, your employer must help you through the application process. The process is as follows:

1. Your employer must apply for a vacancy at the Monaco Employment Service. 
2. You must have the employment contract endorsed by the Employment Service and submit the contract along with a valid identity document and proof of address to the Employment Service. 
3. Pay for the fee. You will also need to pay any associated application fee when applying for a work permit.
4. You apply for a French long-stay D visa and enter Monaco. After entering Monaco, you need to apply for a residence permit at the Public Security Bureau.

Monaco Dual Citizenship

Monaco does not allow dual citizenship, meaning that you need to let go of your previous citizenship in your home country when applying for Monaco citizenship.

To apply for citizenship in Monaco, you need to live in Monaco for five years with a temporary residence permit and another five years with a permanent residence permit, so in total, ten years. After staying for ten years in Monaco, you can apply for Monaco citizenship.