Getting a French visa is a complicated affair and navigating the rules regulating the process can be something of a headache. Hopefully, this step-by-step guide will make things a little easier.
Before jumping on a plane to France, non-European citizens will often need to apply for a visa.
US citizens, Canadians, New Zealanders, Australians and a long list of other nationalities wanting more than a holiday in France must first visit a French embassy in their home country and provide a long string of documents to get a visa fitting for their purpose.
Soon this is likely to include British nationals, as after the Brexit transition period ends on December 31st British people will become third country nationals. Exactly what the arrangements will be for British people who want to move to France from 2021 onwards will be we don’t know – it’s one of the many things still to be negotiated – but it seems likely they will follow the visa model of other third country nationals such as Americans and Canadians.
If you need a visa, you need to arrange this in your home country BEFORE you make the move to France.
So if you fall into any of those groups, here’s how you go about getting a visa.
1. Find out if you need a visa
This bit is easy. The French government has set up a visa wizard website (link here) where you can easily check whether or not you need a visa for your trip to France. The website is accessible both in French and English.
Fill in your nationality, age and where you’re travelling from, how long you are planning to stay (more or less than 90 days), and what kind of travel document you will use.
If you are a visitor from a country outside the EU and/or Schengen area, chances are you will be told that you need a visa. Some countries are exempt from the rule, but their citizens are told to bring a long list of other documents that they might be asked to show upon entering France.
The website currently does not process requests regarding UK citizens because of the still ongoing Brexit transition period. Once the period ends on December 31st 2020, British nationals will likely be able to go to France on holiday without a visa, but anyone who wishes to stay more than three months will probably have to apply for a long-stay visa.
Spouses and relatives of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals do not need a visa to enter France, but must apply for a residence permit (carte de sejour) within two months of arriving in France.
2. Find out what kind of visa you need
There are a range of different types of visas you can apply for depending on your nationality, where you are travelling from and your purpose for going to France.
Short-term visas
A visa de court séjour (short-stay visa) permits you to enter France or another Schengen country for a period that lasts up to three months (90 days). Your stay must be for non-professional purposes, meaning you cannot work in France while you are here.
Some non-EU, non-Schengen countries have agreements that make it possible for their citizens to come to France for short stays (like holidays) without such a visa. This list includes the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand (full list available here).
For example, a US citizen going to France for less than 90 days does not need a visa, but must be able if asked to show a range of other documents upon their arrival, including proof of where they will live and that they will be able to pay for their stay (full list here).
For further information about the short-term visa and the exceptions related to it, you can access the French official website here, in English.
Long-term visas
Anyone from a non-EU, non-EEA, non-Schengen country who is planning a stay exceeding three months must apply for a visa de long séjour(long-stay visa), which allows the the holder to stay in France for a period of up to a year.
If your end-goal is a residency permit you will need a long-stay visa first. You cannot apply for a residency permit while on a short-stay visa.
Long-term visas cover:
- Joining family members
- Education
- Professional reasons (job, internship or training)
- Extended tourist stays or other personal motives like retirement
If you wish to join a family member in France, you will need to provide supporting documents that will depend on your nationality, the nature of the relationship and the reasons for your stay (more details here).
If you want to work in France you will need an approved contract from your employer before applying for a visa. You can come as a self-employed to set up a business in France, but you will need to prove the financial viability of the project to get a visa (more details here).
Those working in a liberal profession or a business must be able to prove that they have sufficient financial resources, earning at least the French minimum wage (SMIC).
If are coming as a visitor you will need to prove that your financial situation is sufficiently robust to finance your stay in France. The documents you need will depend on your particular case and will be indicated in the visa wizard, but you will likely be asked to provide information about your financial situation (pension, savings), your accommodation and health insurance which will cover any medical costs in France (more information here). You must also formally agree not to engage in any professional activity during your stay in France.
3. Apply
Visa applications cannot be submitted more than three months prior to the start of your trip for a long-term visa and six months for short-term visas.
You can access the application here. You need to register as a user and then you can begin to plot in all the necessary information (you don’t need to do the whole thing at once as you can save the form every time you go pass over to a new step).
When you have completed the application, you print out the form along with the receipt and the other supporting documents that they will ask you to provide (eg work contracts, financial information).
Bring all the document to the French embassy or consulate in your country of residence, where you can when you submit your file. Some countries allow you to submit your application by post, others insist you attend the embassy or consulate in person – which can be at the other end of the country to where you live.
Usually, as the authorities process the application, you’ll be invited back for a meeting in person.
You are able to track the status of your application here.
4. Pay
Visas are not free, you will be charged a fee and this is not refunded even if your application is denied.
You can find the full list of fees here, but generally short-stay visas are €80 and long-stay are €99.
This is only part of the cost, however. Any supporting documents that you supply must be translated into French and you will need to pay for a certified translator to provide these. Find out more about certified translations and costs here.
5. Longer stays
If you are intending to move to France on a permanent basis, you first arrive with a visa, and then once you are in the country you apply for a carte de séjour (residency permit). You can find out more about the carte de séjour process here.
Source: The Local