A France tourist visa is one of the most demanded visas in the world. France entertains millions of visitors every year who visit for holidays and sightseeing. These visitors enjoy the nice weather, luxurious cities and exciting social scenes in Nice, Lens, Brittany, Strasbourg, many other cities and, of course, Paris. There is so much to see in France, including nice beaches during the summer months, historic sites and landscapes and some of the best restaurants in the world.

However, if you want to apply for a tourist visa, you must meet the requirements.

Who Needs A Tourist Visa?

Tourist visas are only required for those who are not from European Union, Schengen countries and visa exempt countries. Not all people require a visa to enter France. For instance, citizens of EU countries don’t require a visa to enter France as the EU operates a visa-free policy for all citizens. Besides the EU, there are some other countries whose citizens are allowed into France without a visa.

If you are not from a visa-exempt country, you need a visa to enter France.

What Is A Tourist Visa?

A tourist visa is a travel document issued to foreign nationals who are not from visa-exempt countries. This visa is solely for tourists coming to France. Tourist visas are valid for only 6 months and allow the holder to stay for a maximum period of 90 days. If you have this visa, you can visit any part of France, including autonomous regions like Monaco, Andorra and French overseas territories.

Note: A tourist Schengen visa doesn’t come with a work permit, so you cannot work in the country during your stay. Engaging in paid work is a crime according to French law, so be advised.

How To Apply For A France Tourist Visa?

The tourist visa is one of the easiest French visas to apply for as long as you have the documents to apply for it. You don’t have to visit the French embassy in your home country or submit many documents to get this visa. Only a few documents are required, and you can complete the visa applications process online. Here are the steps to visit for a tourist visa.

• Log onto VisaHQ to open the application form

• Select France as your destination

• Choose your country of citizenship

• Select “Tourist visa” as your preferred visa of choice

• Fill out the visa application form

• Scan and upload your travel documents

• Pay the visa fee

• Submit the application form for approval

If your application is successful, the French authorities will send the visa to the registered email you provide. All you have to do is print out the visa and bring it along with you on your trip to France. Tourist visas take between 5-15 working days to process, so always check your inbox all the time to monitor the process.

Required Documents To Apply For A France Tourist Visa

If you want to apply for a tourist visa, these are the documents you must provide.

Passport: Your passport is arguably the most important travel document you must provide. The passport must not be older than 10 years and have at least 3 months of validity left after their departure date. The passport must also have at least two pages left for visa stickers. You don’t have to submit physical copies, only a scanned copy of the bio page.

Photograph: Two recent coloured photographs showing your face clearly. The photographs must be on white backgrounds and uploaded using the required 35mm x 40mm dimensions.

Proof of funds: A bank statement for the last six months showing the minimum required balance to cover your living and travel expenses.

Proof of accommodation: A copy of your hotel reservation. You can book a hotel online in advance.

Medical Insurance: Medical travel insurance covers at least €30,000 for medical expenses.

Travel Itinerary: Information about your itinerary includes your arrival and departure dates as well as the places you plan to visit.

In some cases, you may be required to provide extra documents besides the ones listed above. Just make sure you only provide valid documents; otherwise, your application will be rejected.

Things To Note

It is important to point out that French immigration has the legal right to decide whether you can enter the country. There are cases where visitors with visas are denied entry into France either because the officers found out they obtained the visa under a false pretext or used fake documents. Expect to answer some questions at the airport when you arrive, so ensure that you provide clear answers.

A France tourist visa application form is available on VisaHQ and will take you only 30 minutes or less to complete. Visit the page to apply for a French visa today.