Applying for a French visa can be confusing. This is due to the fact that there are many different types of documents you need to submit and those documents must be in the correct format. Depending on the documents you have submitted, you will be interviewed and given a French visa.
So, France visa requirements are important for you and you should be careful when you are applying for a visa to France. Any missing documents or misleading information could lead to a France visa rejection. In order to prevent this situation from happening to you, we have listed all the required documents for a French visa.
List of Required Documents for a French Visa
- France visa application form
- France visa photos
- A valid passport with a minimum of 2 blank pages
- Copies of old visas from France (or other Schengen countries)
- Health insurance
- Travel plan (supporting documents)
- Bank statements
- Reservation for accommodation in France
- Criminal record
- French visa fee payment
The most important requirement for a French visa is a correctly filled France visa application form. Any misleading information may lead to a France visa rejection. As you would not want to experience any visa refusal, we advise you to be on point when you are filling your application form and fill the correct form as there are two French visa application forms.
These forms differ depending on if you are applying for a short-stay or long-stay visa for France. Along with your application form, you are expected to attach two French visa photos. These visa photos are expected to be in the correct size and dimensions.
Your photo should be taken in the last 3 months. As your visa sticker will be placed on your passport, and entry and exits will be stamped on it, you are required to have a valid passport (not expired) with a minimum of 2 blank pages. Also, your previous Schengen visas or even better France visas will help your application status. So, make sure you attach a copy of your previous visas to your application.
As a general rule, when you are traveling to the Schengen Area, you are required to have travel health insurance that covers your whole stay, and the minimum coverage is required to be 30.000 Euros.
It is always helpful to attach some supporting documents about your travel plan and itinerary to your France visa application. You can submit your hotel reservations and flight tickets. In this way, getting a French visa will be easier for you!
As a requirement, you should have sufficient funds in your bank account. If the funds you have shown on your application are not enough to cover your stay in France, your application can be rejected. So, if you think you do not have enough funds to cover your stay, you can also present some supporting financial documents like retirement accounts, employment contracts, or a sponsorship letter. Your sponsor could be your financial support during your trip to France.
As you are required to prove where you will be staying in France, you are expected to submit hotel reservations, certificates of reception, rental, and lease agreements, or if you own a house in France, you are required to submit the title of your property in France.
Of course, you are expected to have a clean criminal record to get a French visa. So, you are required to get a criminal record in your home country.
Lastly, you are expected to pay the corresponding French visa fee. After making the payment, you should attach the proof of payment to your French visa application documents.
Minors: Required Documents for a French Visa
If you are not legally over 18 years of age and you are a minor applying for a French visa, then you need to collect the following documents for a visa to France.
- Birth certificate
- French visa application form signed by your parents or legal guardians
- ID copies of your parents or legal guardians along with your ID copy
- Parental permission for your travel to France with another individual signed in the form notarized authorization.
If one of your parents has full custody over you, then you also need the court order stating this situation. Otherwise, your French visa application can be refused. Also, the authorization signed by both of your parents if you are planning to travel to France alone or with another individual.
French Visa Requirements for Employees
Visa requirements for France in case of employment are quite different than when applying for a French tourist visa. There are a set of documents that you need to submit along with your other documents to prove your employment status.
If you are employed by a French company, you need to submit a letter of acceptance from the employing French company, and proof of your salary showing the last 3 months of your income. Of course, this proof is necessary if you have been hired and working at least for the last 3 months. However, if you are self-employed and planning to conduct your business in France, a certificate of business registration is required.
If you are unemployed and have not been working for the French company yet, then the following documents are required for your French visa application:
- Letter of acceptance from the French company or an employment contract
- Proof of income of yours or your spouse in the last 3 months (if any)
- Marriage certificate (if you are married)
If you are retired and planning to enjoy your retirement in France, a certificate of retirement given by your home country is required. Also, any additional supporting documentation will help you in your case.
Lastly, if you are a student, you are required to get a student certificate that indicates your current student status in your home country. Keep in mind that this student certificate must be originally signed.
Bear in mind that all these documents we have listed today must be in original form and a copy of these original documents is also required. You can submit the required documents for a France visa either in English or French. If you are going to translate your documents, then make sure that your documents are translated by a sworn translator.
