Please note: these are general guidelines not an official document. As such this doesn’t cover all specific cases. For further information, please consult French legal authorities’ websites (http://www.mfe.org/default.aspx?SID=12291)

1)       Who needs a visa?

1. People coming from the EU, the European Economic Area or Switzerland don’t need a visa to enter in France
2. Members of their Family need to follow the rules of their country of citizenship. If their country doesn’t belong to the EU, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, they will need a visa to enter France
3. Other People will need a visa

2)       Application for a visa

French authorities often advise to consult the website before making an appointment in order to prepare it.

Prior to the appointment you should build up a file with:

-          Your passport valid until at least 3 months after your visa’s expiry date for a “short stay” (= up to 90 days), covering your visa period for a “long stay” (= more than 90 days)

-          The application form for a visa “short” or “long stay”, completed dated and signed. This form can be downloaded from the French legal authorities’ web site [lien]

-          3 ID photos (maximum)

-          Administration fees

-          All certificates related to your stay You need to show to the French authorities that you will not cause or have any problem during your stay. You may need to provide several certificates prior to your application, and to enter in France. Among them certificates or all documents relative to:

·         The reason for your stay (i.e. if touritic: hotels bookings…, if professional: contract…)

·         Your activity/job you will be doing in France

·         Your personal status

·         Your livelihoods (International bank cards, traveller cheques…),  

·         Your accommodation certificate signed by the mayor of the city (or district) of residence

·         Repatriation insurance (or return ticket or the proof that you can afford one)

·         Your departure from Schengen area at the end of your visa duration (i.e. end of an employment contract…)

3)       What type of document do you need to enter in France/or schengen area?

1. A passport valid until at least 3 months after your visa’s expiry date for a “short stay” (= up to 90 days), covering your visa period for a “long stay” (= more than 90 days)
2. The visa on your passport: For people coming from outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland.
3. All certificates related to your stay: Among them certificates or all documents relative to:

-          The aim of your stay

-          Your livelihoods and accommodation.

-          Repatriation insurance (or return ticket or the proof that you can afford one)

-          Your departure from the Schengen area at the end of your visa duration (i.e. end of a contract…)

For more information, please refer to your french embassy website (http://www.mfe.org/default.aspx?SID=12291)