How to Get a Tourist Visa for France

Select a French Visa

Identify the specific French tourist visa requirements for your country. Depending upon your home country you may or may not need a tourist visa for a 3-month or long-term stay. If your native country is Andorra, Monaco or Switzerland, or it is part of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), then you do not need a tourist visa to France for any length of time. You will not need a 3-month tourist visa, if you hold a passport from 1 of the following countries: United Kingdom, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, or the Special Administrative Region of Macao of the People's Republic of China. If your country is not listed, then you will most likely need to apply for a 3-month Schengen visa to visit France. Countries that require a Schengen visa include South Africa, India, Algeria, Philippines, Ukraine, China, Thailand, Russia, Zimbabwe and Pakistan. The Schengen visa is based on an agreement between 25 European countries that allows tourists to enter 1 of the 25 countries and go between other Schengen countries without showing their passport.

Decide how long you plan to stay in France. For most people, 3 months is plenty of time. If a 3-month visa is not waived for your nationality, then apply for a Schengen visa. If you need to stay longer than 3 months, apply for a long-term stay visa. This is required for any nationality outside of the EU and EEA. Most often, the applicants for long-stay visas are applying to work, study or attend a family reunion.

Apply for a French Visa

Make an appointment at your region's French consulate. This appointment should be 2 weeks to 3 months before your departure, but after you have bought your plane tickets and made travel arrangements. Your visa may not be accepted if you plan to depart less than 2 weeks after your appointment. Allow extra time if you are apply from 1 of the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burundi, Guinea, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Palestine, Rwanda, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen, Algeria, Belarus, Congo, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Niger, Oman, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Suriname, United Arab Emirates, Zimbabwe, Bahrain, Burma, Egypt, Iran, Kuwait, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Somalia, Syria, Vietnam, or US Refugees.

Fill out 2 copies of a Schengen Visa application form or a Long-Stay Visa application form. These free forms are available online under the "Getting a Visa" Section of the Diplomatie.gouv.fr website. The extra copy is required by most, but not all, countries. Both applications include sections for personal, address, traveling, passport, insurance and return information. Fill it out completely and legibly. Print in black ink or use a typewriter.

Check your passport expiry date. The date must be valid for at least 90 days after your departure date from France. Your passport must also have 2 blank pages, be issued within the last 10 years, be in good condition and match your profile. Make 2 copies of all of the identification pages in your passport.

Acquire the following supplementary documents to be included with your application. 3 1.4 by 1.7 inch (3.5 by 4.5 cm) passport photographs. Your face must take up approximately 80 percent of the picture and it must show your ears and hairline. Your hotel or tour reservations and your departure and return flight information. These should be separate and detailed documents. Proof of medical insurance coverage while you are traveling in France. The minimum coverage for medical expenses shall be EUR 30 000. Original bank statements from the last 3 months, to show proof of funds while you are traveling in France. Proof of residence in the region where you are applying. A utility bill and an identification card with that address listed may work as proof of residence.

Bring the application fee to your appointment in cash. As of August 2019, the application fee for a short term visa is 60 euros, while the application fee for a long term visa is 99 euros.

Submit your application, payment documents and photos at your appointment.

Wait approximately 2 to 3 weeks to receive a short-term visa and approximately 2 months to receive a long-term visas. Waiting times may be longer.