Paris in spring, a vineyard in Bordeaux, a ski week in the Alps: France is the most visited country in the world, and for many travellers the trip starts with a visa form. How to get a France visa is really two questions in one, because France issues two very different visas. A short-stay Schengen visa covers holidays and short business trips of up to 90 days, while a long-stay visa covers stays of more than 90 days — for work, study, family or a long visit — and each route has its own steps, documents, fees and waiting times. This guide covers both, in order, so you can pick the right one and prepare a file the consulate can approve first time.
Everything starts on the same official portal, France-Visas, at france-visas.gouv.fr. Its visa wizard tells you whether you need a visa, which type fits your trip, and exactly which documents apply to your case, and it generates the application form and checklist you take to your appointment. After the online step you submit your file in person at a visa application centre — TLScontact, VFS Global or Capago, depending on where you live — and the French consulate decides. All figures below were checked against France-Visas and the European Commission on 6 November 2026, and the official sources are linked at the end, because fees and rules change and the official pages always win over any guide.
Required Documents — France Visa Checklist
Gather every item below before you book your appointment. Missing or weak documents are the most common cause of delay and refusal. This list covers the short-stay visa; long-stay visas need extra documents for your purpose, explained in the long-stay section below. Always compare this list with the checklist France-Visas generates for your profile — it takes precedence over any guide.
| Document | What it must show |
|---|---|
| 1. Valid passport | Issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen Area, with at least 2 blank pages. Bring your old passports too, with copies of previous visas. |
| 2. France-Visas application form and receipt | Complete the form on france-visas.gouv.fr, print it and sign it, and bring the receipt with your France-Visas reference number. |
| 3. Passport photographs | Two recent photos, 35 × 45 mm, white background, meeting ICAO standards, taken within the last 6 months. |
| 4. Travel medical insurance — at least €30,000 | A policy covering emergency medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation (including in the event of death), valid for the whole Schengen Area and the full length of your stay. |
| 5. Proof of funds — bank statements | Bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months, original and bank-stamped, showing regular income and enough money for the trip. Salary slips and a balance confirmation letter help. France commonly uses about €65 a day with confirmed accommodation, about €120 a day without it. |
| 6. Proof of accommodation | Hotel bookings covering the whole stay, or a formal invitation from a host in France (attestation d'accueil). Refundable bookings are fine. |
| 7. Flight itinerary | A flight reservation showing your planned dates in and out of the Schengen Area. Do not buy a non-refundable ticket before your visa is approved — a reservation is enough. |
| 8. Employment or business proof | If employed: a letter from your employer stating your position, salary and approved leave, plus a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and salary slips. If self-employed: business registration and tax returns. |
| 9. Cover letter and travel plan | A short letter explaining why you are travelling, your day-by-day itinerary, who is paying, and why you will return home. |
| 10. Family and identity documents | Your national identity card, and a family registration certificate in English if your country issues one. Birth and marriage certificates where relevant. Documents not in English or French need a certified translation. |
| 11. Long-stay extras (only if staying over 90 days) | Your purpose decides the extras: a work contract and the employer's work authorisation for a work visa, an enrolment letter and Campus France confirmation for a student visa, or family and sponsor papers for a family visa. |
At a glance: short-stay visa fee €90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6 to 12, free for children under 6 · long-stay visa fee €99 (student procedure €50) · travel insurance minimum €30,000 · short-stay decision usually within 15 calendar days (up to 45 days) · apply 6 months to 15 days before travel · stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
What Is a France Visa? The Two Routes
France is a member of the Schengen Area, the group of 29 European countries that have abolished border controls between themselves, so a visa issued by France opens more than France. A short-stay visa — often called a Type C visa — lets you visit France and travel across the whole Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, covering tourism, family visits and short business trips. Apply to France if France is where you will spend the most time; if your stays are equal, apply to the country you enter first.
The second route is the long-stay visa — a national visa, often called a Type D visa — for any stay longer than 90 days, or for any stay where you plan to work or study. It is governed by French national law, not the Schengen rules, and issued for a specific purpose: work, study, family reunion, or a long visit. Most are issued as a VLS-TS, a visa that doubles as a residence permit once validated online after arrival. The two routes are not interchangeable: a short-stay visa cannot be extended into a long stay.
France does not decide visas at the application centre. TLScontact, VFS Global or Capago — whichever serves your country of residence — collects your file, takes your fingerprints and passes everything to the French consulate, which decides. No agent can guarantee an approval, and anyone who promises one, or offers a fake hotel booking or bank statement, is selling you a refusal and possibly a ban.
Who Needs a France Visa, and When to Apply
Citizens of certain non-EU countries must hold a visa to enter France and the Schengen Area, even for a one-day trip. France-Visas publishes the list, and its visa wizard is the fastest way to check your own situation: answer a few questions about your nationality, document and purpose, and it tells you whether you need a visa and which type. Citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area and Switzerland do not need a visa, and neither do nationals of visa-waiver countries for short stays — but a long stay or work still needs a long-stay visa.
Timing is part of the application. For a short-stay visa you must apply at least 15 days before your journey, and no earlier than 6 months beforehand. Applying later than 15 days before travel is a gamble — the normal processing time is 15 days, so a late application may simply not be decided in time. In practice, apply 4 to 8 weeks before a short trip and book early, because slots can be scarce in peak season. For a long-stay visa the window is no earlier than 3 months and no later than 15 days before travel, and starting 2 to 3 months ahead is the sensible plan.
How to Apply for a Short-Stay Visa, Step by Step
Step 1: Use the France-Visas Wizard and Read Your Checklist
Go to france-visas.gouv.fr and use the visa wizard first. It asks about your nationality, your travel document, your purpose and your length of stay, then tells you whether you need a visa and generates a personalised document checklist. That checklist is the one that counts — print it and work from it. While you are there, create your France-Visas account for the form and for tracking your application.
Step 2: Fill In the Application Form on France-Visas
Complete the online form in your France-Visas account, answering every question honestly and exactly as your documents show it: your name as in your passport, your travel dates as in your flight and hotel bookings, your employment details as in your employer's letter. A form that contradicts its own documents is one of the most common refusal reasons. When you finish, print the form, sign it and keep the receipt safe.
Step 3: Buy Travel Medical Insurance
Buy a travel medical insurance policy covering at least €30,000 for emergency medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation, valid for the whole Schengen Area and the full length of your stay. Buy it from a provider on the list your consulate accepts — some consulates only accept insurers from an agreed list, so check before you pay.
Step 4: Gather Your Documents and Book an Appointment
Collect every document in the checklist at the top of this article, in the order the France-Visas checklist lists them, on A4 paper, with certified translations into English or French for anything in another language. Book your appointment online with the centre that serves your country of residence — TLScontact, VFS Global or Capago — and print your confirmation.
Step 5: Attend Your Appointment and Pay the Fee
Go to the centre on your appointment day with your passport, signed form, documents and the visa fee. Your fingerprints and a photograph will be collected — standard for Schengen visas, and normally valid for 5 years. You will also pay the visa fee at the centre, usually in local currency, plus the centre's service fee. The fee is non-refundable, even if your visa is refused.
Step 6: Wait for the Decision
The normal processing time is 15 calendar days from the day your application reaches the consulate, extended to up to 45 days if a more detailed examination or additional documents are required. Times vary with nationality, purpose and local conditions — so treat 15 days as the usual case, not a promise.
Step 7: Collect Your Passport and Check Your Visa
When your passport is ready, the centre will tell you to collect it or send it by courier if you chose that service. Check the visa sticker the moment you get it back: your name, the dates, the number of entries, and the number of days allowed. If anything is wrong, tell the centre immediately.
How Much Does a France Visa Cost?
Budget for three costs: the visa fee, the visa centre's service fee, and your travel insurance — and for a long stay, a validation tax after you arrive. The short-stay fee is set at EU level and is the same whichever Schengen country you apply to; the long-stay fee is set by France. The figures below were checked against France-Visas on 6 November 2026. Fees change — the adult short-stay fee rose from €80 to €90 in June 2024 — so confirm the current amounts on France-Visas before you pay.
| Cost | Amount (per person) |
|---|---|
| Short-stay visa fee — adults (12 years and over) | €90 |
| Short-stay visa fee — children aged 6 to 12 | €45 |
| Short-stay visa fee — children under 6 | Free |
| Short-stay visa fee — applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus | €35 (visa facilitation agreement) |
| Long-stay visa fee — standard (work, visitor, family) | €99 |
| Long-stay visa fee — student procedure | €50 |
| Visa centre service fee (TLScontact, VFS Global or Capago) | France-Visas states it cannot exceed €45 per file; the exact amount differs by country |
| Travel medical insurance (short stay) | Varies by provider and trip length; the policy must cover at least €30,000 |
| Long-stay validation tax (paid online after arrival) | €300 — raised from €200 on 1 May 2026 under the 2026 Finance Act; confirm the current amount on the ANEF portal. Some categories are exempt, for example spouses of French nationals |
The visa fee can be waived for specific categories — for example, family members of EU or EEA citizens are eligible for a free and accelerated procedure under the Free Movement Directive — but ordinary tourist and family-visit applicants should budget for the full fee plus the service fee. The fee is paid in local currency at the consulate's exchange rate, and it is non-refundable. For a long stay, remember the total is the €99 visa fee plus the validation tax after arrival.
Proof of Funds and Accommodation
Of all the documents, proof of funds causes the most refusals, and it is also the one where there is no single number to aim for. Each Schengen country sets its own daily reference amount. For France, the commonly cited amounts are about €65 a day with confirmed accommodation, and about €120 a day without it — but the exact figure is on your consulate's checklist.
That is why bank statements matter more than a single big deposit. Consulates typically ask for statements for the last 3 to 6 months, original and bank-stamped, with salary credits visible, plus a balance confirmation letter. A large lump sum deposited a week before the application, with no history behind it, is a classic red flag — officers read it as borrowed money. Keep your account active and consistent for months before applying. Accommodation works the same way: hotel bookings covering the whole stay are the simplest proof, and refundable bookings are fine. If you are staying with family or friends, you will usually need a formal invitation, the attestation d'accueil, from your host.
How Long Can You Stay? The 90/180-Day Rule
A France short-stay visa allows a visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, across the whole Schengen Area — not 90 days per country. The 180 days is a moving window, not a calendar half-year: on any day you are in the Schengen Area, you count back 180 days and add up all the days you have spent there in that window. If the total is 90 or more, you must leave. The European Commission provides a short-stay calculator to help.
A practical example makes it clear. If you spend 30 days in France in January, you have 60 days left in the 180 days that follow. If you return in April for another 30 days, you have 30 days left. But by July, the January days start falling out of the window, and your allowance grows again. Overstaying — even by one day — is now recorded automatically through the Entry/Exit System and can damage every future visa application you make. Keep your own count, and never rely on the number of days printed on a single visa sticker as your total allowance: the sticker's validity period and the 90-day limit are two different limits, and both apply.
Long-Stay Visas in Detail
If your stay in France will last more than 90 days, or if you plan to work or study there, the short-stay visa is the wrong tool and you need a long-stay visa — a national visa, often called a Type D visa. Long-stay visas come in several categories, and the category decides what you may do once you arrive: work, study, or neither. The main ones are below
Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS visiteur)
For people who will live in France for more than 90 days without working — retirees, people living on savings or a pension, and anyone taking a long break in France. You must show proof of financial resources comfortably above the minimum, comprehensive health insurance, and accommodation for the full period. A visitor visa does not give you the right to work in France.
Long-Stay Work Visa (VLS-TS salarié)
For people with a job offer from a French employer. Your employer must act first: it has to obtain a work authorisation (autorisation de travail) before you apply, and the consulate will check it. You then apply with your work contract, the authorisation and the standard documents. Allow several months from the job offer to the visa.
Long-Stay Student Visa (VLS-TS étudiant)
For students enrolled at a French higher-education institution. Most applicants must first complete the Campus France "Études en France" procedure, and only then apply for the visa on France-Visas. The fee is €50, and from 1 August 2026 you must show resources of at least €877.50 a month, up from €615. A student visa lets you work up to 964 hours a year.
Family Visa (Spouse and Family Reunification)
For spouses of French or EU citizens, and for family reunification (regroupement familial), where a spouse and minor children join a sponsor legally resident in France. The sponsor must generally have held regular residence for at least 18 months and meet income and housing conditions. Budget 6 to 12 months overall.
Talent Passport and EU Blue Card
For highly skilled workers, researchers, founders, investors and recognised artists. The Talent Passport (Passeport Talent) is valid for up to 4 years, matching the contract or project. The EU Blue Card is the version for highly qualified employment, with a minimum gross annual salary of €59,373 for 2025–2026 and a maximum processing time of 90 days by law.
Two formats exist. Most long-stay visas are issued as a VLS-TS — a visa that doubles as a residence permit once validated — renewable in France through a carte de séjour. The other format, the temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T), is for a stay of 3 to 12 months that you will not extend, such as a short mission or a language course; it cannot be renewed.
After You Arrive: Validating Your Long-Stay Visa
A VLS-TS is only half-active when the consulate stamps it. Within 3 months of entering France, you must validate it online on the ANEF portal — the Digital Administration for Foreigners in France. You upload your passport, your French address and proof of payment of the validation tax, and you receive the validation by email within a few days. Skipping this step leaves you without legal status even though the visa is valid, so do it in your first week, not your third month. The validation tax was raised from €200 to €300 on 1 May 2026 under the 2026 Finance Act; some categories are exempt, so confirm yours on the portal. The validation turns your visa into a residence permit for its first year; after that, you renew it in France with a carte de séjour at your local préfecture.
Common Reasons France Visa Applications Are Refused
Most refusals are paperwork problems that could have been avoided: the wrong visa type for your plan; a form that contradicts its own documents; bank statements with no regular income, or a sudden large deposit with no explanation; a travel plan that does not add up; insurance below €30,000, or a policy that does not cover the whole trip; no accommodation proof for every night; and no clear reason to return home, such as no job or family ties in the file. For long stays, the usual extra problems are a missing work authorisation, a skipped Campus France step, and resources below the required monthly amount. If you are refused, the consulate must tell you why and how to appeal — fix the exact problem it names, and only then reapply.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting a France Visa
Do I need a visa to visit France?
It depends on your nationality. The European Commission and France-Visas publish the list of countries whose citizens must hold a short-stay visa to enter France and the Schengen Area. If your country is on that list, you need a visa — no visa-free entry, no e-visa for ordinary passports. The fastest check is the visa wizard on france-visas.gouv.fr.
How long does a France visa take?
For a short-stay visa, the decision is usually made within 15 calendar days of your application reaching the consulate, and it can be extended to up to 45 days if a more detailed examination or additional documents are required. Long-stay visas take longer: France-Visas gives a baseline of roughly 15 working days to 2 months, varying by category and by where you apply. Apply 4 to 8 weeks before a short trip, 2 to 3 months before a long stay.
Can I visit other European countries on a France visa?
Yes, on a short-stay visa. One Schengen visa issued by France covers all 29 Schengen countries, and you can travel between them without border checks. You must still apply to the right consulate — France, when France is where you will spend the longest time. A long-stay visa also lets you travel to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Can I work in France on a short-stay visa?
No. A short-stay Type C visa is for tourism, family visits and short business trips only. It does not allow you to work in France. If you want to work, you need a long-stay work visa, and your employer must obtain a work authorisation first.
What is the difference between a VLS-TS and a VLS-T?
Both are long-stay visas, but a VLS-TS (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour) doubles as a residence permit once you validate it online on the ANEF portal within 3 months of arrival, and it can be renewed in France with a carte de séjour. A VLS-T (temporary long-stay visa) is for a stay of 3 to 12 months that you will not extend, and it cannot be renewed.
Sources and Disclaimer
Sources (checked 6 November 2026): France-Visas, the official portal of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs — france-visas.gouv.fr (visa wizard, application form and checklist, fees of €90 / €45 for short stay and €99 / €50 for long stay, decision usually within 15 days and up to 45 days, service fee capped at €45, student resources of €877.50 a month from 1 August 2026); European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs — Applying for a Schengen visa (90 days in any 180-day period, main destination rule, when to apply, fees of €90 / €45, normal processing time of 15 days, extendable to 45 days); the €30,000 travel insurance minimum is set by the Visa Code; the VLS-TS validation tax rise from €200 to €300 on 1 May 2026 is set by Article 128 of the 2026 Finance Act. Fees and rules change — always re-check France-Visas before you apply or pay.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not immigration advice. It does not replace the official guidance of France-Visas or the French consulate for your country, or advice from a regulated immigration adviser. If your case is complicated — a previous refusal, a criminal record, a dependant with special circumstances, or a trip that does not fit the usual tourist pattern — speak to a regulated adviser before you apply.