France Visa- Types, Eligibility, Cost

What is a France Visa?

A France Visa is a mandatory legal document if you are planning to travel to France. The visa permits you to enter and stay in the country for a specific time period. The duration of the visa depends on the purpose of your visit and the type of visa preferred.

What are the different types of French visas?

The different types of French visas are as follows:

France Short-Stay Visas

A France Short-Stay visa is granted to visitors who travel to France for short trips. The trips include meeting family, tourism, or business purposes. One can also attend certain functions like sports events, educational programs, corporate conferences, internships, and business meetings and stay for less than 90 days.

You have to apply for this visa if:

• You are traveling via France and crossing the international zone
• Changing airports
• Staying in France and waiting for a transfer flight

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The French short-stay visas have two categories as follows:

• Uniform Schengen Short-Stay visa
• Short-stay visa for French non-European territories

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Uniform Schengen Short-Stay Visa

The Uniform Schengen Short Stay Visa is also known as a “Schengen type C visa.” You can enter any of the 26 states within the Schengen region for up to 90 days every 6 months with this visa.

There is an indication on the visa regarding the states the visa holder is permitted to enter and stay.

What are the different categories of Schengen type C visas?

The different categories of Schengen type C visas include the following:

·???????? France Airport Transit Visa: Foreign nationals of some countries have to apply for this visa to temporarily stay in France to take their connecting flights.

·???????? France Business Visa: Anyone traveling to France for business purposes can apply for this visa. The visa has a validity of 90 days.

·???????? France Cultural Visa: Visitors who want to visit France to attend any international sports, cultural events, or religious festivals will be issued this visa.

·???????? France Medical Visa: Foreigners that come to France to receive any medical treatment are eligible for this visa. They must submit supporting documentation that proves them requiring medical help from a healthcare centre institution in France.

·???????? France Tourist Visa: Foreign nationals have to apply for this visa to travel to France for the purpose of tourism and allowed to stay in the country for 3 months at least.

·???????? France Visitor Visa: Some nationalities have to apply for a Visitor visa to visit family members and friends in France. A letter of invitation from a relative or a friend you will be visiting is mandatory to submit with your visa application. This visa allows residing in France for around 90 days in a 180-day period.

Short-Stay Visa for French non-European Territories

A Short-stay Visa for French Overseas Territories is granted to anyone who wants to travel to one of the non-European French territories. They have to meet the requirements as per your national status and apply for a visa that will grant you permission to enter.

It is important to understand that not all foreign citizens must have a special visa to enter a French overseas territory. They can be granted a visa waiver on a specific set of conditions as follows:

• Nationality of the applicant
• The place where the applicant has a residence permit
• The place where the applicant has a long-stay permit
• The special status of the foreign citizen

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The visa waiver is issued to the following eligible foreign citizens to enter the overseas territories based on their nationality:

• Nationals of the EEA, EU, and Switzerland
• Citizens of the listed countries are on the ministerial orders of each territory.

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Individuals with eligibility for a visa waiver in order to enter overseas territories with a residence permit or long-stay visa are as follows:

• Holders with a residence permit that was issued by a state in a Schengen region or by a French official body
• Holders of a special card that were issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to diplomatic and consular mission personnel
• Holders of a long-stay visa that is issued by a state in the Schengen region

Individuals who are eligible for visa waivers to enter the overseas territories based on their nationality are granted to the citizens of the following:

France Long-Stay Visas

You have to apply for a France Long Stay Visa if you plan on staying in the country for more than 120 days. If you belong in the following categories of foreign citizens, then you are not required to apply for a Long-Stay visa:

• Citizens of the EU or EEA
• Foreign citizens who have a long-term residence permit in an EEA or an EU country
• Nationals of Monaco, Vatican, Andorra, and San Marino
• Foreign students who have studied in France from 16 years old and still continuing
• Citizens of some countries that hold a Short-Stay visa who have Family in France

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You are required to register and apply for a resident permit after receiving approval for the Long-Stay visa application after reaching France. You can select a Long-Stay France visa based on your purpose and the time you intend to stay in the country. The various types of French Long-Stay visas are as follows:

• France Work Visa
• France Talent Passport Visa
• France Family Visa
• France Student Visa
• France Job Seeker Visa
• Other France Long-stay Visas

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France Work Visas

It is granted to foreign citizens who intend to stay in the country for 3 months to a year and take on paid work. The French Work Visa has many categories that cater to individuals with particular needs and eligibility. The different French Work Visas are as follows:

• French Salaried Employees Visa: If you are a foreign national and want to work for a long term with income under a French business entity, then you can apply for this visa. You are required to submit an employment contract that is approved by the local DREETS.
• French Professionals and Independent Workers Visa: If you are a professional and want to set up an independent practice in the country, then you can apply for this visa. You are not permitted to practice certain professions, such as doctors, architects, and lawyers, if you are a non-EU national. You require permission from the French professional institutions to practise them.
• French Long-Stay Sports Visa: If you are a sportsperson without pay, then you are eligible for a Long-Stay Visitor Visa that is sponsored by a sports institution you will be collaborating with. The sports institute’s sponsorship has to cover accommodations, travel, and medical insurance.
• France International Organisation Work Visa: If you are visiting France for an official work with an international organisation then you can apply for this visa.
• France Long-stay Volunteer Work Visa: You can apply for this visa, if you are interested to do humanitarian work in France for 3 months to 1 year. It is necessary to apply via a renowned charitable French Foundation that is approved by French authorities.

France Passport Talent Visa

You are eligible for a France Passport Talent Visa Card if you are a foreigner who is interested to work in the country for a minimum of a year in various competitive fields like global talents. It is granted to individuals who would contribute the economy and culture of France through their skilled talents.

A passport card that is similar to a residence permit is mandatory to stay in France. There are different categories in this visa that cater to individuals based on their professions and activities related to work. The different categories of France Passport Talent Visa are as follows:

• Skilled Recent Graduates: You have to be a graduate with a Master’s degree and have to be employed as a skilled worker or by an innovative business entity having a salary more than €35,526.40.
• Highly Skilled Workers – EU Blue Card: You have to be a highly qualified worker with a minimum 5 years of work experience to be eligible for this visa. In order to apply, you must have a contract with an employer of 1 year with an annual income of €53,836.50.
• Researcher Visa: You have to be a foreign citizen and interested in pursuing a PhD, carry out research or teach in a French secondary institution. You are required to have a Master’s degree and an agreement from the educational institute in France to obtain this visa.
• Economic Investor: You must be a foreigner with the capacity to invest a minimum of €300,000 in France either via a business entity, direct investments, or a business organization in which you own a minimum 30% of the shares.
• Innovative Economic Project: You must be involved with an innovative economic project that is recognized by a French public body to be eligible for this visa. It is compulsory to submit additional documentation that shows approval from the French public body and your financially capacity of funding the project.
• Self-Employed or Liberal Profession: You must be interested in participating or creating artisanal, agricultural, commercial, or industrial work or project in a liberal occupation in France. It is mandatory to have evidence of your project’s economic net worth and have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in the country.
• Overseas Employees on Assignment in France: If you are a senior employee of an overseas business sent to France for work mobility, you can apply for this visa. An employment contract is required to cover your expenses for the duration of your stay and earn a minimum of €31,973.73 per year.
• Legal Company Representative: You must be a person entering the country to supervise any legal activities of a French business.
• Internationally Renowned Person: You must be a foreigner well-known in your field and interested in continuing activities related to your career in France.
• Artists and Performers Visa: You must be a performer or an artist and intend to stay in France for more than 90 days and take part in various activities related to your field.

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France Family Visa

A French Family Visa permits foreigners to visit family members like parents, spouses, and children residing in France for a duration of 12 months.

The French Family Visas consist of three main categories, and they are as follows:

• Family members of a French national: Nationals from foreign countries are eligible to apply for this visa if they intend to join their French parents, partner, or child and stay in the country for a minimum of 12 months. The applicant has to provide proof of French citizenship of the family member (partner/parent/child) and a marriage or birth certificate recognized in France if applicable.?????
• A family member of an EEA/EU/Swiss national: If you are a family member of an EEA/EU or Swiss national and want to accompany them in France, you can apply for a short-stay visa. Then, it is mandatory to apply for a Carte de Séjour or a French residence permit after arriving in the country. You are required to provide evidence of family relation with the EEA/EU national to be considered for this visa.
• A family member of a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national residing in France: You can apply for a Family Visa to visit members of your Family living in France even if they are not Swiss, EU, or EEA citizens. You are required to provide proof of financial capacity to support yourself and that the family member is interested in supporting you during your stay. If your family member is living in France with a talent passport or a French EU Blue Card, then you can immediately receive a private and family life residence permit. You are allowed to live and work in France with this permit.

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France Student Visas

A France Student Visa is granted to international students who are looking to study in France. This visa permits them to reside in the country for the duration of the course and, in certain cases, allows them to take up employment. The different categories in France Student Visas are as follows:

• Long-Stay Student visa valid as resident permit (VLS-TS “étudiant”): ?This visa is granted to foreign students over 18 years of age and who want to study in a private or public educational institution in France for 4 months to 1 year. You have to be accepted by a French secondary educational institution to be considered for the visa.
• France Study Visa for Students under 18 (Mineur scolarisé): It is granted for foreign students who are under 18 years old. They can attend public or private primary to tertiary educational institutions in France for a maximum of 11 months.
• France Long-Stay Student Trainee or Internship Visa: This visa is issued to international students interested in doing an internship in France. It should be a part of the current professional training program, like:

A European Union cooperation program

Training co-organised in their home country

An intergovernmental education scheme

• France Au Pair Visa: It is issued to foreign nationals between 18-30 years old and wants to live for a short period in France and stay with a family and learn French. You are required to provide information regarding accommodation, income, working conditions, and the arrangements for the French class to qualify for the visa. It is compulsory to have minimum French knowledge and have secondary school education for this visa.

France Job Seeker/New Business Creator Visa

Foreign students and researchers who plan on staying in the country after completing their research or studies and looking for employment or establishing a business can apply for a French Job Seeker/ New Business Creator Visa. The visa permits you to:

• Search for a job legally and work
• Establish a new company or a business entity in France.

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The visa is only granted to individuals who have just graduated and have yet to leave the country, as well as individuals who graduated in the past 4 years and returned to their countries.

The visa has a validity of 12 months and cannot be renewed. But, you have a chance to apply for a residence permit after getting employed with an income one and a half time more than the minimum wage in France.

What are the other French Long-Stay Visas?

To cater to certain categories of visitors, the other Long-Stay France visas include:

• France Working Holiday Visa
• France Religious Orders Visa
• France Retirement Visa

What is the validity of France visas?

The validity of the France Visas is listed in the following table:

How much time will it take to process a France Visa?

It generally takes around 15 days to process a French visa application. For certain cases, the processing time may be extended to 45 days if required.

What is the cost required to apply for a France Visa?

The cost required to apply for a France Visa is listed in the following table:

What are the documents required for a France Visa?

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for a France Visa.

• A passport with a minimum of 6 month validity
• Recent photographs
• Evidence of intending to leave the country, like flight tickets
• Proof of accommodation
• Letter of purpose
• Identity proof
• Evidence of sufficient funding
• Travel itinerary
• Insurance of 30,000 euros or 5000 USD
• Cover letter
• If Employed, you have to provide

6 months of bank statements

ITRs of past 3 years

Letter of employment

Letter of absence

NOC from the current employer

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How to apply for a France Visa?

Follow the mentioned steps to apply for a France Visa:

Step 1: Check and meet the eligibility

Step 2: Select a France Visa as per your needs

Step 3: Arrange the checklist of documents

Step 4: Upload the original and authentic documents

Step 5: Fill the selected France Visa and submit it

Step 6: Get a notification about the selected visa

Step 7: Receive the selected France Visa

Step 8: Fly to France

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Can you apply for a France Visa after arriving in the country?

No, it is mandatory to apply for a France Visa before travelling to France.

What are the eligibility criteria for a France Visa?

To be eligible for a France Visa, you must meet the above-mentioned requirements.

• Have the required paperwork, like evidence of identity card, passport, and flight tickets.
• A letter of invitation is required if you do not have a rental lease or a reservation in a hotel.
• Sufficient funding to support yourself for the duration of your trip.
• Have a good character with clear no criminal records.
• Complete the payment process.

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What should you do if your selected France Visa gets rejected?

You can submit a request for a re-evaluation of the visa application. This is only applicable if you believe that the reason is unjust. You have to apply for an appeal within two months of getting a rejection on your visa application. It is compulsory to attach all the necessary documents with your appeal.

Do you need to apply for Travel Insurance for a France Visa?

It is mandatory to have valid travel insurance for a France Visa. This will help you be more financially secure and cover any unexpected expenses.

How can Y-Axis help you?

We at Y-Axis are ready to facilitate you with your selected France Visa. We can

• Asses the selected France Visa
• Guide you in organizing the essential documents
• Aid you in completing your France visa application forms

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Reach out to Y-Axis, for end-to-end support at every step of the process. Email to us at [email protected] or drop a message on our WhatsApp number 8802219999.