French Visa

Who requires a Visa?

What documents will be required?

Time required to issue a Visa

What is the cost of a Visa?

How long is the Visa valid for?

Other information

Embassy contact information

Travel Guide

Study Abroad in France

Learn French in France

Who requires a visa?

Depending on the length of the stay, as well as nationality, a visa may not be required.

Nationals of the following "Schengen Agreement" countries may not require a visa:

Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal

- For a stay of up to 90 days, nationalities exempted from a short stay visa are also exempted from requesting a student visa if the total stay in France does not exceed 90 days.

- However, if a student decides to stay one day longer or more after the end of the school period, he/she must apply for a temporary long stay visa (up to 6 months) BEFORE leaving for France.

- If you are studying for longer than 6 months, you’ll need a long stay visa :

This type of visa allows its holder to request a temporary residence permit ("Carte de séjour") at a French Prefecture. You must apply within two months after the date of your arrival to France. Living in France for longer than 6 months without a residence permit is illegal.

What documents will be required?

1) A passport or official travel document, valid for at least 3 months longer than the validity of the requested visa

(2) One completed application form signed by the applicant (or the legal guardian in the case of minors)

(3) A passport-size photograph

* More application forms and photographs may be required.

(4) Evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover the cost of your intended stay (recent bank statement or traveller's cheques).

(5) A confirmed return ticket to France or a confirmed booking from your travel agent (plane, train, ferry or Eurotunnel tickets)

(6) A confirmation of your hotel reservation or a certificate of board and lodging ("Attestation d'Accueil") to be obtained by the person you are visiting in France from the local Townhall ("Mairie") or Police Station ("Gendarmerie" or "Commissariat de Police").

(7) If you are a student please submit a recent letter from your school, college or university confirming attendance.

(8) Evidence of medical insurance.

Note: Depending on individual circumstances, additional documents may be required

Time required to issue visa:

1-3 days, average

Please note that if you are a citizen of Afghanistan, Algeria, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo or ex-Zaire, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, North-Korea, Palestine, Rwanda, Sudan, Surinam, Syria, Yemen, or you are the holder of a travel document for stateless persons or refugees, the processing of your application will take several weeks

What is the cost of a visa?

Short stay visa (1 to 30 days) : between £15 and £20

Short stay visa (31 days to 90 days) : between £17 and £29

Visa exceeding 90 days : between £29 and £90 (depending on the type of visa)

How long is the visa valid for?

Short stay visas: Up to 90 days

Temporary long-stay visas: Up to 6 months

Long stay visas: The residency permit obtained actually determines the length of the stay.