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Non-EU Citizens

  • Contacting the French consulate or Embassy in your country of origin is the first step because this institution is the only one empowered to deliver you the fundamental document needed: the visa.

    List of the France Embassy and Consulate in the world.
  • Non-EU citizens who want to stay in France for a period not exceed 3 months or a succession of stays totalling less than 90 days in any period of 6 months must apply a short-stay visa.

    The short-stay visa is called "Schengen visa" and it is valid for all countries in the Schengen Area unless marked otherwise on the visa sticker. France Consular Authorities applying the Schengen Agreement. You must submit your visa application to the consular France authority.

    The necessary documents to apply Schengen short-stay visa are:
    • A passport valid for 3 months beyond the expiry date of the visa requested;
    • A short-stay visa application form completed and signed;
    • Photographs (maximum 3) to official standards;
    • The application fee;
    • Evidence relating to the reason for your stay in the Schengen Area;
    • Evidence of means of support during your stay and your accommodation;
    • Evidence of repatriation insurance;
    • Evidence of your return to your country of residence (return ticket or sufficient personal resources to buy it);
    • Documentary evidence to convince the consular authority of your intention to leave the Schengen Area when your visa expires.

    When you submit your application the consular authority will collect your biometric data. This data consists of a photograph and the fingerprints of both hands.

    The consular authority will accept your application and will make its decision. The consular authority provides an answer as soon as possible, if you have received no response within 2 months, you may consider that your visa application has been refused (implicit refusal). While, if the visa is issued is a necessary but not sufficient condition for entering in the Schengen Area. When you cross the border of the Schengen Area, the border police may require you to show the supporting documents you submitted to obtain your visa.

    A sticker will be placed in your passport: what does the visa sticker mean?
  • Non-EU citizens who want to stay in France for a period longer than 3 months must apply a long-stay visa and after a resident permit.

    To apply for a long-stay visa, you must:
    • Hold a passport valid for the full duration of validity of the visa;
    • Complete and sign a long-stay visa application form;
    • Enclose with the form identity photographs to official standards. (The number of photographs required depends on the consular office where you apply, your nationality and the reason for your stay in France)
    • Pay an application fee;
    • Submit supporting documents relating to the reason for your stay in France and your personal situation.

    Unlike visas, residence permits are only issued in France. You can apply a residence permit in person at your local préfecture de Police, at sous-préfecture in at the services des étrangers (foreigners office) or at your local town hall office (mairie), if the prefecture is not close to your place of residence.

    To obtain your residency permit, you must submit many documents which depend on what kind of residence permit you are going to ask for.

    The principal documents are:
    • Original and photocopy of your passport with a valid long-stay visa;
    • Birth certificate;
    • Original and photocopy of proof of residence (statement of domicile, electricity bill or rent receipt) ;
    • Medical certificate issued by OMI (office des migrations internationales) or by an institution/doctor approved by OMI or a French Embassy;
    • Medical insurance;
    • Three passport-size photographs.

    Additional documents are:
    • Employees must present a certificate of employment and latest payment slips;
    • Self-employed people must provide proof of their status;
    • Retired and unemployed people must provide proof they have adequate financial resources to live in France;
    • Students must also provide proof they have adequate financial resources as well as proof of enrollment in an educational institution recognized by the French Ministry of Education.

    If a document is not in French, you should supply a certified translation into French, which should be produced by an official translator accredited by the French Embassy in your country.

    On submitting all documents, you will receive a receipt acknowledging like an application for a residence permit. This acts as the document legalizing your temporary stay in France until you get your permit (or not). The process can during from a week to a few months.

    A residence permit usually also gives the right to residency for your spouse and children (when minors).

EU Countries

Non-EU Countries


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