Visa field guide · FR
Plan your France application
France-Visas, the appointment, then the borderSee the common routes, understand the hand-offs, then confirm every requirement on the official website.01 / ROUTES
Choose the route that matches your trip
These are starting points—not an eligibility decision. Open the official route before you apply.- ↗Short-stay Schengen visa
Visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period when France is the main destination.
- ↗Long-stay visa
Study, work, family or residence in France for more than 90 days.
- ↗French overseas territories
French territories outside Europe can have separate visa rules; check the France-Visas wizard.
02 / JOURNEY
What the application journey usually looks like
The exact order can vary by visa, nationality and application location. “If asked” steps are conditional.- 01Check your route
Use the France-Visas assistant to identify the route and personalised document list.
- 02Complete France-Visas online
Complete the application and keep the final CERFA form and receipt.
GUIDELENS HELPS HERE - 03Book the local appointment
The country-of-application page identifies the consulate or authorised provider.
- 04Submit documents & biometrics
Attend with the printed final form, receipt, passport and supporting evidence.
IF ASKED - 05Track the decision
Track the file through the channel identified by the submission location.
- 06Travel & complete arrival steps
Check the visa sticker; long-stay permission can require validation or a residence step after arrival.
03 / BEFORE YOU START
Four things to know before you start
- Official starting point
- France-Visas is the official portal for checking the route, completing the form and finding where to submit.
- At the appointment
- France-Visas says to bring the final printed CERFA and receipt with the complete file.
- Short or long stay
- Up to 90 days normally uses the Schengen route; over 90 days uses a French long-stay route.
- After arrival
- Some long-stay visas require online validation; others require applying for a residence permit. Read the visa wording.
04 / PRACTICAL GUIDE
France visa details that differ from the regional guide
France uses the common Schengen framework for short visits, then adds its own portal, submission network and long-stay arrival steps.- 01
Start with the France-Visas assistant
The official wizard checks whether a visa is needed, identifies the visa type and produces a document list based on nationality, residence, purpose and duration.
France-Visas · Official portal ↗ - 02
Keep the final CERFA and receipt
After completing the online form, print the final application and receipt. France-Visas says to bring them to the appointment with the supporting file.
France-Visas · The process ↗ - 03
Long-stay permission can require an arrival action
Depending on the wording of the long-stay visa, you may need to validate it online or apply for a residence permit after reaching France.
France-Visas · Arrival in France ↗ - 04
Keep the Schengen rule in view
For a multi-country trip, apply to the country that is the main purpose or longest stay. Use the first country only when stays are equal. The 90 days in any 180-day period are counted across the whole Schengen area.
European Commission · Applying for a Schengen visa ↗
05 / PREPARE
Information worth gathering before you open the form
Not every item applies to every route. Use the official checklist generated for your application.Passport and previous travel-document details
Travel dates, itinerary and accommodation
Travel medical insurance for the Schengen stay
Evidence of funds and the purpose of the trip
Employment, study or sponsor information where relevant
Translations and route-specific documents requested locally
06 / OFFICIAL
Continue with the official authority
You remain responsible for reviewing and submitting your application.