A Business visa is a short stay visa that authorizes entry to France for the purpose of business-related activities. Visa permits its holder to stay in France for 90 days within a six-month period. A business visa allows its holder to attend meetings & conferences, conduct training & internal audits, install equipment for clients, perform temporary service for clients, attend negotiations, and other business events.
Who Needs a French Business Visa?
Any country that is not part of the visa-free regime with Schengen states, is required to apply for a French Visa when travelling for business-related purposes. This takes into consideration business trips that are short-term. States that do not need a visa to travel to France for business-related activities are European Union members, European Free Trade Association member states, Andorra, Monaco, and 62 countries that are under the Schengen visa-free regime. However, starting from January 2022 nationals of these 62 states will be required to apply for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
As for any other visa, few exemptions to visas apply on several occasions. One of the exemptions is when a traveller holds a diplomatic passport.
French Business Visa Application Process
The application procedure for a French business visa requires its applicant to complete several steps.
- Complete French Business Application Form (The first applicant is required to complete the form found on the French visa portal. Once that’s approved a list of requirements will be provided including the Schengen visa application form). Forms must be printed and signed.
- Gather requires supporting documents
- Find out where the applicant needs to make an appointment
- Book an appointment
- Attend the visa interview
- Pay visa fees
French Business Visa Supporting Documents
The following list is what’s required to be provided for a French business visa. This list may be copied once the online visa application is completed. Required documents for a French Visa are as follows:
- completed French Business Visa Application form
- two copies of visa photos
- valid passport with two blank pages for stamping purposes
- copies of any old visas (if any were held previously)
- travel insurance to cover the entire stay in France (it should cover the whole Schengen and be a minimum of 30,000 euros)
- travel itinerary plan (including transportation, any organised tour bookings, exit flights etc)
- evidence of accommodation (hotel reservations, rental contract, letter of invitation if staying at families or friend’s house).
- proof of sufficient financial funds (so the applicant is able to cover their entire stay, the required documents that act as proof could be bank statements, employment contracts, retirement benefit plan, income from a rented property, sponsorship letter etc)
- a certificate confirming a clean criminal record
- proof of payment for a visa (receipt)
- invitation letter from a French company (with company details, addresses and dates of visit) that invited you to come for business purposes. Proof of previous trade relations between companies may be asked for – if applicable).
- certificate from employer describing the aim of the business trip and the activities that individual will participate in
- business bank statement for the last few months may be required
Note – depending on the purpose of the visit, additional documents may be requested.
Quick Guideline to French Visa Photo
A French visa photo must follow a particular specification for it to be correct. First of all photo format must be as follows:
- size: 35 x 45 mm
- background: white
- resolution: 600 dpi
- colour: in colour
- recency: no older than 3 months
When it comes to the candidate there are also some special guidelines regarding their posture, face, or clothing. Candidates must remember to stand straight at least 40 cm away from the camera lens, have a neutral facial expression, have their eyes open, look into the camera lens and keep a formal posture. It is advised to wear casual, daily clothes for a visa photo as white clothing or uniform will result in photo rejection. Headwear & glasses are not permitted unless an exemption applies (medical or religious)
What’s not allowed in a visa photo: smiling, frowning, not looking into the camera, having mouth open, having eyes closed, wearing white, wearing a uniform, having headwear on, holding an object during a photo, wearing sunglasses etc.
Find Out Where to Apply
This is an important stage of completing a French visa application – as the online form will ask about the appointment place. This is where candidates choose where they want to lodge their application in order to get a French business visa. This can be either:
- The French embassy or consulate in the country of residence
- A visa-processing centre (that is in charge of visa admission on behalf of French authorities) in a country of residence
- One of the three authorities listed above, located in a neighbouring country (to which French authorities in your home country have outsourced visa processing)
Booking Appointment & Attending the Visa Interview
Once the candidate chooses where they want to lodge their application, a visa appointment has to be made with them. Appointment booking is usually handled fully online (where available slots are shown) but also through phone calls. Note – appointment date must be booked at least two weeks prior to the intended trip (it is advised to make it in advance).
A business visa interview is mandatory for all applicants. When attending a French Business visa interview, the visa consular will ask particular questions about your trip. Make sure detailed answers are given. At this stage, the entire document file is submitted as it has to be done in person. If a person is travelling to Schengen for the first time in the last five years, then biometrics (facial image & fingerprints) will be requested on the day. This may be charged an additional fee.
French Business Visa Fee & Validity
On the day of the appointment, each applicant is also required to pay a visa fee. This is to cover the expense of processing. The fee for a French business visa is 80 euros. Yet, depending on the country of residence, few countries are able to pay a lower fee of only 35 euros. This depends if the applicant is under an EU facilitation agreement which enables countries like Kosovo, Russia, Georgia and Ukraine (who hold a biometric passport) to pay the 35 euro fee.
In regards to visa validity, French business visa holders are able to enter and remain in France for a period of a maximum of 90 days.
Response Time for a French Business Visa
The response time for a French business visa is relatively quick as the French embassies are obliged to notify the applicant of visa outcome within two weeks of application. This fully depends on the case, if a case is complex for any reason the response time may extend.
Small Things each Business Traveller should be aware of before travelling to France
Here are a few tips that each candidate should be aware of when travelling to France for business purposes.
- wear formal clothing
- use formal words ‘Monsieur’ or ‘Madame’ to address others
- knowing basic French is recommended
