France Visa processing time

If you are planning to apply for a visa to France, you should be aware of the France visa processing time. This is because if you apply for the visa too late and don't get it on time, it may disrupt your travel plans or even force you to postpone your trip indefinitely. Please keep reading to know how long it takes to get a France visa after submitting your application.

Travelling To France on a Schengen Visa

If you travel to France, you may need a visa to enter the country. Citizens of the EU and other visa-exempt countries don't require a visa to enter France, but others do. However, knowing how soon your application will be approved is not as easy as it should be. This is because many factors may influence the timeline.

For instance, the type of visa you apply for will determine approval timelines. Short-term visas require fewer documents, and the application can be done from the comfort of your home. Also, they are approved within a few days. However, long-term work visas require a longer time and more documents, and the applicant must visit the French consulate in their country to apply.

Another factor that may affect approval timelines is the time and season. Millions of visitors visit France annually, and during certain seasons, the number of visa applications skyrockets, thereby creating more workload for the Ministry of the Interior. A rise in applications may lead to delays in receiving your visa.

France Visa Processing Time

So how long will it take you to get your visa after submitting your application? For short-term visas, you may get it within 6 working days, but other long-term visas may take up to a month. To be on the safe side, it is advisable to apply for a short-term visa at least 2 weeks before the day you plan to travel. For others, consider applying at least 1-2 months before your planned travel date.

For Schengen visas, it may take up to 15 working days, but in extreme cases, applicants may have to wait for up to 60 days to get it. If you are planning to apply for a French Schengen visa, consider applying at least 2 months in advance of our trip.

How to Apply For A France Visa?

There are two main application routes for visitors to take;

Via the French Embassy: Work visas, study visas and permanent residency visas can only be obtained after submitting application forms to the French consulates. Applicants must submit copies of their travel documents and a completed application form to the embassy after paying the visa fee. The officials at the embassy will invite the applicant for an interview on a set date and will examine original copies of their supporting documents.

After that, they will be notified regarding the progress of their applications via email, and if they are successful, they will be invited to pick up their visa and passport on a set date.

Via online application portal: The second method is the online method; this one is much faster and doesn't require embassy visits. The online method is for short-term tourist and visitor visas. You just need to fill out the application form online, attach the required documents, pay the application fee with a credit or debit card and submit it for approval. The short stay visa will be forwarded to the applicant's email address, and they can make the trip to France immediately.

Here are the simple steps to apply for a France visa VisaHQ.

  • Log onto VisaHQ to access the visa application form

  • Select your country of citizenship

  • Select France as your destination

  • Choose your preferred visa of choice

  • Fill out the application form

  • Scan and upload your documents

  • Pay the visa fee

  • Submit for processing

Ensure you only use valid documents and accurate information when filling out your application form; otherwise, it will be rejected.

Visa Requirements

Passport: A passport must be submitted to apply for any type of French visa. Passports must not be older than 10 years and must be valid for at least three months after the applicant departs France. It must also have at least 2 blank pages for visa stamps.

Photograph: Two copies of recent photographs showing the applicant's face clearly. It must be clear and on a white background. Spectacles are not allowed.

Proof of funds: A bank statement showing that the applicant has the financial capacity to handle their expenses during their stay.

Travel insurance: Medical travel insurance with at least €30,000 coverage to cover potential medical costs.

Proof of accommodation: A copy of the hotel reservation or contact address where the applicant will stay.

Round Ticket: A round ticket to and from France. Applicants are advised to reserve tickets and only pay for them after their visa is approved.

Now that you know the France visa processing time, why not head to VisaHQ to complete the online application form? The process is fast and easy.

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    This article was published by VisaHQ, a world leader in visa processing. Since 2003, VisaHQ has 20 offices in 6 countries and has helped countless tourist, business travellers, diplomats, workers, and students obtain their visa. With a 4.42 star rating on Reviews.io, VisaHQ is committed to innovation, service, security, and simplicity in the visa application process.
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