Visa Information
It is the delegate's
responsibility to investigate the
visa requirements for France and
apply for a visa, if necessary.
Delegates are recommended to apply
for their visa as early as possible,
to ensure adequate processing time.
General information about visas for France
All foreign nationals wishing to
enter France must be able to submit
statutory documents at the border
concerning the reasons for their
stay, their means of support and
accommodation arrangements.
A visa is generally required, in the
absence of a waiver.
For general information and for
preparing, submitting and tracking
your visa application, log on to
France-Visas, France’s official
visa site.
The European territory of France is
part of the
Schengen Area (pdf), which
encompasses multiple European States
to form a common space of free
movement for persons.
The Schengen Area includes the 26
following States:
Member States of the European Union:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
Malta, Netherlands, Poland,
Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain
and Sweden;
Non-Member States of the European
Union: Iceland, Liechtenstein,
Norway and Switzerland.
Short-stay visa
This type of visa is generally issued for tourism, business trips or family visits.It is also issued to persons entering to France to take part in short training programmes, internships, conferences and corporate meetings, or to engage in remunerated activities (whatever the form), not exceeding 90 days.
“Uniform Schengen” short-stay visa
This is a visa issued by a Schengen Area member country for transit or stay in part of or all Schengen space. It is not to exceed 90 days over any period of 180 consecutive days. The visa inserted in the relevant travel document bears the name of the territories in which the holder is entitled to stay.The visa may be valid for one or more entries.
A visa is not required to enter the Schengen Area for Foreign nationals by virtue of their nationality:
Citizens of the European Union
(EU), European Economic Area (EEE)
and Switzerland;
Nationals of countries listed on the
common Schengen list (Annex 2 of
(EC) Regulation 539/2001);