How to Apply for a Schengen Visa to France

Are you planning a memorable trip to France but feeling daunted by the Schengen Visa application process? Fret not! This comprehensive guide is tailored to simplify the application procedure for travelers aiming to explore the wonders of France.

Here’s what’s included…

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Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
Schengen Visa to France

The Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe are some of the places you can visit in France with your Schengen Visa. Wondering about the prerequisites for your Schengen Visa Application to France? I’ve compiled all the essential requirements for you below.

You can conveniently access and generate these prerequisites from both the France Embassy and the France Visas webpages, as well as the TLS website which serves as the official visa application center for France in the Philippines.

For visa applications in your specific regions, check the French Embassy website in your country of residence.

If you prefer a visual guide, you can also check out my YouTube video linked below for a comprehensive walk-through.

Where to apply for a Schengen Visa to France?

If you meet the following criteria, you can submit your application through the French Embassy via TLS (if you’re in the Philippines), provided you are a legal resident in the country AND IF any of the following applies to you:

View of Eiffel Tower from Rue Buenos Aires

You will ONLY visit France

The only country in your travel itinerary is France

You will visit two or more countries in the Schengen Area

You plan to visit several countries in the Schengen Area and you will stay in France the longest

You will stay in several countries

You will stay in several countries with the SAME NUMBER of DAYS (nights) and your FIRST ENTRY is France.

For applicants in the Philippines, your application must be submitted personally at the TLS Center in Manila or Cebu

Manila Address:

Manila Visa Application Centre

1 Proscenium Tower, 9th Floor, Estrella, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines

Cebu Address:

Cebu Visa Application Centre

Latitude Corporate Center, 12th floor

Mindanao Avenue, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City, Philippines

When can I submit my Schengen Visa Application to France?

You can only submit your Schengen Visa Application a maximum of 180 days before your departure date.

If your date of departure is May 15, 2024, you can submit your application from November 15, 2023 and no later than 15 calendar days before the start of the intended visit.

Please note that there can be longer waiting times for setting an appointment through the visa application centers.

What are the Visa Requirements?

Open the tab that corresponds to your travel purpose to read the visa requirements. Incomplete applications will be decided by the Embassy based on the submitted documents and may face rejection. Moreover, submitting complete documents with your application will result in a shorter processing time for your visa application.

You can also personally generate the visa requirements for your travel “type” with the France Visa Wizard.

Tourism

Private/Family Visit

If your main travel purpose is tourism, these are the requirements you will need to provide. Make sure to provide one original with one copy of each original in paper format A4

1. Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least three months after your return from France or the Schengen Area. It mmust also have at least 2 blank pages.

Together with your passport, submit a copy of ALL the pages of the passport containing visas, entry and exit stamps or any other inscription.

Does the copy of the passport pages be in color or black and white?

I prefer to have all copies in color as some inscription get “washed out” when printed in black and white.

2. Application Form

You must complete the application form online through the France Visas website. Once completed, printout on A4 paper and sign your application form.

3. Passport Photo

You need (2) two colored passport photos (35mm x 45mm) and must follow ICAO standards.

4. Purpose of Travel and Stay

The documents under the purpose of travel and stay include the travel itinerary (flight reservation) and day-to-day itinerary. The itinerary and the hotel reservations must be consistent with your actual travel plan.

In writing your itinerary, make sure to include the places you’ll be visiting and checking if these are actually open on your scheduled travel dates. You can read this guide on creating your own travel itinerary.

You can refer to this travel itinerary template OR if you’re having some difficulty making one yourself, commission me to create your unique travel itinerary.

5. Socio-Professional Situation

Your Socio-Professional Situation will give the embassy the idea of what you do and what your ties in your home country are.

a. If EMPLOYED

Include a copy of your Certificate of Employment with compensation, Approved Leave of Absence and No Objection Certificate (if applicable).

You may also include a copy of your payslips in the last 3-6 months and your work contract.

Please note that some embassies are requiring the wet signature and stamps, so please do check the exact requirement.

b. If SELF-EMPLOYED or COMPANY OWNER

Submit proof of your business/company registration and commercial activity of your company as well as income tax returns and business bank account statements for the last 3-6 months

c. If STUDENT

If you are a student, include a copy of your school certificate or proof of enrollment.

If the travel is within the school year, request for either a no objection certificate or an approved leave of absence from the school.

6. Proof of Funds

Submit your original bank certificate and bank statements for the last six months.

If you’re wondering “How much do you need as proof of financial coverage in France?“, it would be:

65 euros per day of stay in the case of presentation of a hotel booking;
120 euros per day in the case of non-presentation of a hotel booking; OR
In the case of a partial hotel booking: 65 euros per day for the period covered by the booking and 120 euros per day for the remainder of the stay

Aside from your bank certificate and bank statements, you can also include your credit card statement of accounts as a supplement.

7. Accommodation

You must be able to provide a hotel confirmation for the duration of your proposed stay.

You can watch this YouTube video or check my resources page for accommodations.

8. Travel Insurance

The travel insurance must cover medical emergencies, hospitalization and repatriation (including in
case of death). The minimum amount of coverage per person must be EUR 30’000.00 or the equivalent
value. The insurance must be valid for the entire Schengen area and for the entire duration of the stay.

You can also check out these travel insurance: Safetywing and Axa-Schengen

Visa Fee

The visa fee is 80 Euro and is payable in the country’s currency

For applicants aged 6-12 years, the visa feee is 40 Euro

There are no fees for applicants under 6 years and for spouses or minor children of French, EU, or EEA nationals

The table below are the visa fess as of April 2024 from the TLS Website.

Additional documents for children who are less than 18 years old

Personal appearance of the parent(s) having the legal custody, with their passports or identity cards.
- If a parent with legal custody lives abroad and cannot appear at the Embassy: Written declaration of consent from that parent, with an authentication of his signature by the German Embassy competent for his residence or by a local German authority.
- If the child’s parents were married and one parent is deceased: PSA death certificate
- If the child’s parents were married and if one parent has the sole custody: Divorce or Annulment court order stating the court’s decision concerning the legal custody
PSA birth certificate of the child

Supplementary Documents (not in the official checklist)

The following list of documents are NOT found in the official requirements from the embassy, but I find them helpful for some people

Flight Reservation and Inter-Schengen Transportation: Gives the visa officer an idea of the different modes of transportation you plan to take and if the approximate fares coincide with your financial capacity
Copy of all your previous and current visas and passport stamps: Your travel history or previous visas and stamps in your passport showcase your travel history and adherence to visa conditions in other countries. This can exhibit your compliance with immigration regulations and your intent to abide by the rules during your visit to the new country.
Copy of your investment portfolio:Although this aren’t liquid assets, this shows the embassy that you have other forms savings aside from your savings account. A diverse and healthy investment portfolio might indicate a stable financial standing, which could contribute positively to your visa application by showcasing your ability to support yourself during the visit.

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DISCLAIMER: The requirements listed above are generated from the France Visas website last April 2024.

If your main travel purpose is visit (family, romantic partner, or friend/s), these are the requirements you will need to provide. Make sure to provide one original with one copy of each original in paper format A4

1. Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least three months after your return from France. It also should have at least 2 blank pages. Submit a scan of ALL PAGES of your passport containing visas, entry and exit stamps or any other inscription.

Please note that for Philippine applicants your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your travel to avoid immigration problems.

2. Application Form

Create an account with the France Visas website and complete the application form. Print out your application form on an A4-size paper.

3. Passport Photo

Two biometric passport photos, with one glued to the application form. The second photo will be returned to you.

4. Civil Status

A copy of your proof of relationship to the sponsor (person you are visiting) such as a birth certificate and/or marriage certificate and the biodata page of the sponsor’s passport.

If you will be visiting someone who is not a relative, include other documentation as proof of relationship which can include an explanation of your relationship in your cover letter, how long you’ve known the sponsor, etc.

You can watch this video on how to compile your proof of relationship or purchase the template here.

5. Purpose of Travel and Stay

A copy of your day-to-day itinerary outlining the places you’ll visit.

You can watch this video on how to write your own itinerary or you can commission me to write one for you.

6. Proof of Socio-Economic Situation in the Country of Residence

The proof of your socio-economic situation in the country can be divided into two categories: proof of occupation and proof of ties to the country.

Depending on your occupation, you can submit the following documentation:

Employed – certificate of employment, certificate of leave absence, latest Income Tax Return
Business Owner/Sole Proprietor – proof of company registration issued by the DTI or SEC registration of business, business Financial Statement
Student – proof of school enrollment, if traveling during the school year, a leave of absence or no objection certificate from the school

As part of your proof of ties to the country, you can submit the following

proof of social security contributions – in the Philippines, these are the SSS, PhilHealth, and PAGIBIG contributions
real estate property – copy of the title-deed
proof of family ties – birth certificate of children or marriage certificate

7. Proof of Funds

Submit your original bank certification, bank books (a copy would do), and personal bank statements showing regular income covering the last six months.

You may also include credit card statements or balance covering the last six months.

For minors – they need to provide proof of parents’ or legal guardian’s economic means.

Please note that even when you’re visiting relatives in France, you will STILL need to provide your own means of subsistence which is at least €32.50 per day according to the France Visas website IF you have an attestation d’accueil from the sponsor.

If your relative will not be providing any support, you’ll need a minimum amount per day of stay.

65 euros per day of stay in the case of presentation of a hotel booking;
120 euros per day in the case of non-presentation of a hotel booking;
In the case of a partial hotel booking: 65 euros per day for the period covered by the booking and 120 euros per day for the remainder of the stay.

8. Accommodation

If you will be accommodated by a friend or relative, provide a proof of sponsorship and/or proof of accommodation (attestation d’accueil).

If you will be providing an attestation d’accueil, make sure that your sponsor had it approved at their local town hall. Your sponsor can read this information. Please make sure that you have the original attestation d’accueil before your appointment.

If you will not be accommodated, you may submit a booked accommodation.

Your host can also include a copy of an invitation and/or sponsorship letter written in either English or French. You can download the templates here or commission me to write one for you.

9. Travel Insurance

The travel insurance must cover medical emergencies, hospitalization and repatriation (including in
case of death). The minimum amount of coverage per person must be EUR 30’000.00 or the equivalent
value. The insurance must be valid for the entire Schengen area and for the entire duration of the stay.
Here’s the latest list from the embassy.
You can also check out these travel insurance: Safetywing and Axa-Schengen

10. Visa Fee

The visa fee is currently (April 2024) at €80 or about 4,920 PHILIPPINE PESO.

Aside from the visa fee, you’ll also have to pay for the service charge of the visa application center.

Additional documents for children who are less than 18 years old

Birth certificate certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

If the name of the father does not appear in the PSA issued birth certificate, no consent is required.

If traveling alone : Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) clearance.

Where appropriate, proof of parental authority.

Other Documents not in the generated checklist

The following list of documents are NOT found in the official requirements from the embassy, but I find them helpful for some people

Flight Reservation and Inter-Schengen Transportation: Gives the visa officer an idea of the different modes of transportation you plan to take and if the approximate fares coincide with your financial capacity
Copy of all your previous and current visas and passport stamps in your previous passport: Your travel history or previous visas and stamps in your previous passport showcase your travel history and adherence to visa conditions in other countries. This can exhibit your compliance with immigration regulations and your intent to abide by the rules during your visit to the new country.
Copy of your investment portfolio:Although this aren’t liquid assets, this shows the embassy that you have other forms savings aside from your savings account. A diverse and healthy investment portfolio might indicate a stable financial standing, which could contribute positively to your visa application by showcasing your ability to support yourself during the visit.
Proof of Relationship (Romantic Partners and/or Friends): These can be photos of travels together, copy of flight itinerary and/or travel stamps. You can download this paid template to give you an idea of how to organize these documents.

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DISCLAIMER: The requirements listed above are generated from the France Visas Website on April 2024.

How much do I need for my trip?

The cost of a 15-day trip to France can vary widely based on your travel style, preferences, and the cities you plan to visit. Here’s a rough breakdown of potential expenses:

Accommodation: Budget accommodations like hostels or guesthouses can range from €20-50 per night, while mid-range hotels might cost €80-150 per night or more depending on the city.
Food: Budget around €20-40 per day for meals if you’re eating at inexpensive local eateries. This can vary significantly depending on your dining choices.
Transportation: The cost will vary based on whether you plan to use public transportation or rent a car. Public transport passes in cities might cost around €7-10 per day. If you plan to travel between cities, train tickets can range widely in price depending on the distance.
Activities: Entrance fees to attractions and activities can add up. Budget extra for museum entry fees, tours, and other activities you plan to do.
Miscellaneous: Factor in additional costs for souvenirs, shopping, and unexpected expenses.

Consider making a detailed itinerary to estimate costs more accurately. It’s also wise to have a buffer for unexpected expenses. You can check my resources page where you can find suggestions for accommodations, transportation, and activities.

Remember, these estimates are rough and actual costs can vary significantly based on your preferences and travel style.

How much do I need for my visa application?

According to Article 15(2) of the Residence Act of 30 July 2004, “an alien may be refused entry at the border if he does not fulfil the conditions for entry into the territory of the Member States in accordance with Article 5 of the Schengen Convention.”

You, as the applicant, should have at least 45 Euros per day at your disposal. Please note that this specific amount was given in 2004 (2 decades ago!!!!) and I THINK this amount is not sufficient anymore. So I would suggest to have at least 100 Euros per day + Flight Tickets

For a 15-day visit with stays in budget accommodations, you’d need at least 1500 Euros + cost of return flight tickets. If flying from the Philippines, the average cost of a return flight is around 1000 Euros. That’s a total of 2500 Euros or roughly PHP 153,870 (Oanda)

How do I apply for a Schengen Visa to France

Here’s the step-by-step process on how you can apply for your Schengen Visa to France

Step 1: Identify your visa type/purpose
Your visa type or purpose will determine the requirements you will need to provide.
The purpose can be either for tourism, visit, business, etc.
For a visa application to France, you will need to generate your own checklist using the Visa Wizard.
Step 2: Gather your documents and Complete the Application Form
Next, gather your documents based on your visa type or purpose.
Complete the Application Form either ONLINE through the France Visas website or offline with the paper application form.
Print out your documents on A4-size paper.
Step 3: Set an Appointment
Then, book your appointment through the visa application center or directly with the embassy (only for EU, EEA, EFTA family members in certain countries).
Step 4: Attend your Appointment
Afterwards, make sure to be at the visa application center at least 15 minutes before your appointed time and make sure to bring your COMPLETE set of documentation.
Step 5: Track your Application
Use the visa tracker on the visa application website or the reference number on your receipt to track your application. If you have paid for SMS updates, you will receive the updates via SMS and/or email.
Step 6: Collect your Passport
Lastly, if you have chosen to pick up your passport, collect your passport from the visa application center . Otherwise, wait for your passport to be delivered if you have paid for this option.

Result

Hooray! You have your visa! Enjoy France and its sights.

In the event that your application is refused, you can either appeal the decision or re-apply.

WATCH: Video Tutorial

Are the steps mentioned above too long for you? Then, you can watch this video.

DISCLAIMER: The video was uploaded in 2022 and there may be slight differences with the requirements set by the embassy. The visa application center in the Philippine has also changed from VFS to TLS.

How long is the the processing time for Schengen Visa Application?

As per the VFS website, the Consulate makes a decision within 2-3 days. However, there might be extensions in specific cases. Certain Schengen States mandate consultation on visa applications from citizens of certain countries submitted to other Schengen States.The consultation process may take up to seven calendar days. Here is the list of said countries.

Schengen Visa Application FAQs

These frequently asked questions cover the Schengen Visa Application.

What is my visa validity and duration?

You got your visa!

Congratulations! Now, you must understand the difference between your visa validity and duration of stay to avoid unnecessary complications such as overstaying your visa.

The visa duration determines the TOTAL number of days you can stay in the Schengen Area. Make sure you do not go beyond that number.

The visa vignette on the left permits a total stay of 90 days.

The visa validity determines the start and end date of your visa. You can travel and stay in the Schengen Area within the validity period provided.

In the visa vignette at the left, you can travel from 13 April 2021 to 01 August 2021 for 90 days.

My visa is refused. How do I file an appeal?

Upon refusal of your visa, you will receive a standard form indicating the reasons. Within 30 days of receiving the refusal, you have the right to appeal. The refusal notification is conveyed via a standard visa refusal form. The appeal, accompanied by a statement of grounds, must be submitted in writing:

Before the Commission for Appeals against Visa Refusal Decisions in the case of a long-stay visa (CRRV – BP 83609 – 44036 NANTES CEDEX 1). This prior appeal, which must be justifiable, written in French and signed, is mandatory before any appeal to the administrative judge.
Before the Deputy Director of Visas in the case of a short-stay visa refused from 1 January 2023 (BP 83609 44036 Nantes Cedex 01). This prior appeal, which must be justifiable, written in French and signed, is mandatory before any appeal to the administrative judge.

If no decision has been transmitted to the applicant within two months after the date of submission, the application is deemed to be an implicit decision of refusal and may be appealed before the CRRV or the Deputy Director of Visas, depending on the nature of the visa applied for. (Source)

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How to Apply for a Schengen Visa to France