How to Apply for a France Schengen Visa: Requirements & Fees

France is the world’s #1 Schengen visa destination, with around 2.6 million applications per year. Due to this high volume, appointment slots at VFS or TLS centres can be limited, document checks are strict, and processing times vary significantly depending on nationality and season. With a refusal rate of approximately 16–17%, even minor inconsistencies can weaken an application.

In practice, obtaining a France Schengen visa is mainly about administrative precision. Consulates assess the overall coherence of the file — travel purpose, financial means, accommodation, return guarantees and Schengen-compliant travel insurance. This guide explains, step by step, how to apply for a Schengen visa to France and prepare a clear, fully compliant application under French and EU rules.

Who needs a Schengen visa to travel to France?

A Schengen visa is required for nationals of countries outside the European Union and the Schengen Area who wish to enter France for a short stay (tourism, business, family visit or transit). This applies regardless of whether France is the sole destination or part of a wider European itinerary.

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Who must apply for a France Schengen visa 🌍

You must apply for a Schengen short-stay visa (type C) if you hold a passport from a non-EU / non-Schengen country and are not covered by a visa exemption agreement.

This includes most travellers from:

• Africa (North, West, Central and East Africa),
• Asia (South Asia, Southeast Asia, parts of East Asia),
• the Middle East,
• Latin America (countries without visa waiver),
• as well as UK residents holding non-UK passports (for example Indian, Nigerian, Pakistani or Filipino nationals living in the UK).

Who is visa-exempt but still concerned ✈️

Citizens of certain countries benefit from visa-free entry to the Schengen Area for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This includes travellers from:

• the United Kingdom,
• the United States,
• Canada,
• Australia,
• Japan, and several others.

For these travellers, a Schengen visa is not required. However, they must still meet entry conditions at the French border, including proof of funds, onward travel and accommodation. While travel insurance is not legally mandatory for visa-exempt nationals, it is strongly recommended, as healthcare in France is not free for non-residents and border authorities may ask how medical costs would be covered in case of emergency.

Visa requirement overview for France 🇫🇷

This distinction is essential before starting your application, as submitting a file when a visa is not required, or failing to apply when it is, can lead to unnecessary delays or refusal at the border.

For travellers who do require a Schengen visa, one of the key documents requested by French consulates is Schengen-compliant travel insurance. Through HelloSafe, applicants can quickly compare recognised insurers and download an instant visa-ready insurance certificate, making it easier to finalise this part of the application before booking an appointment.

What type of Schengen visa is required for France?

For most travellers, entering France for tourism, business or short visits requires a short-stay Schengen visa, officially known as Type C. This is the standard visa used for travel to France and the rest of the Schengen Area.

Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) explained 📄

The Schengen visa type C allows you to stay in France and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It covers the vast majority of short trips, including:

• Tourism (holidays, sightseeing, short trips to Paris or other regions),
• Business travel (meetings, conferences, trade fairs),
• Family or private visits,
• Short-term studies or training (under 90 days),
• Transit through France when entry into the Schengen Area is required.

This visa can be issued as single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry, depending on your travel history and the consistency of your application.

Schengen visa types: Type C vs Type D

France as main destination vs first entry 🇫🇷

When applying for a Schengen visa, you do not choose the consulate freely. You must apply to the country that is considered your main destination (destination principale).

France is the main destination if you spend the most nights in France, or France is the primary purpose of your trip (for example, a conference or family visit)

If you spend equal time in several Schengen countries, you must apply through the country of first entry.

For example, if you enter through Italy but spend most of your trip in France, you must still apply for a France Schengen visa.

How do you apply for a Schengen visa to France step by step?

Applying for a Schengen visa for France follows a structured process defined by France-Visas and the EU Visa Code. Below is a clear, end-to-end overview, with each step explained so you know exactly what to do, where to apply and which documents to prepare.

Step 1: Prepare the required documents 📂

Before your appointment, you must assemble a complete and coherent file of required documents for a Schengen visa. French consulates are strict: missing or unclear documents can result in delays or refusal.

Having all documents aligned and consistent is one of the most decisive factors for approval.

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Step 2: Check your situation on France-Visas 🧭

Every application for a France Schengen visa starts on the official France-Visas website. This first step allows you to:

• confirm whether you need a Schengen visa,
• identify the correct visa type (usually Type C),
• see the exact list of documents required for your profile,
• determine where and how your application must be submitted.

France-Visas also tells you which visa centre is competent for your place of residence — VFS Global, TLScontact, BLS or CAPAGO. You cannot freely choose a consulate or centre: the competent authority is assigned based on your country and city of residence.

It is important to understand the roles at this stage:

Visa centres only perform administrative checks. The final decision is always taken by the French consulate or embassy, which assesses the coherence of your documents, including proof of funds, travel plans and Schengen travel insurance.

Step 3: Fill in the Schengen visa application form 📝

All Schengen visa applications for France must be initiated on the official France-Visas portal. Even if your appointment is handled by VFS, TLScontact, BLS or CAPAGO, the application form itself is always completed on France-Visas, then printed and signed for submission.

French consulates use this form as the reference document to assess your entire file. Every field is cross-checked against your passport and supporting documents.

France-Visas automatically determines:

• whether you need a Schengen visa (type C),
• which consulate or visa centre is competent based on your place of residence,
• and the exact document checklist for your profile.

Any inconsistency,  even a small date mismatch or incorrect destination selection, can lead to additional checks or processing delays.

Once completed, France-Visas generates:

• your official application PDF,
• a personalised checklist,
• and instructions to book your appointment with the correct visa centre.

Step 4: Book your France Schengen visa appointment 🏢

After completing the form, you must book an in-person appointment at the visa centre assigned to your country of residence:

• VFS Global
• TLScontact
• BLS International
• CAPAGO

You cannot choose your consulate freely. France assigns visa processing strictly based on where you legally reside.

Appointment availability varies significantly:

• in peak seasons, waiting times can stretch to several weeks,
• in some countries, last-minute slots appear unexpectedly, requiring applicants to have their documents ready in advance.

To avoid last-minute issues, many applicants choose to secure their Schengen travel insurance early. With HelloSafe, you can compare consulate-recognised insurers, select a Schengen-compliant policy, and generate a visa-ready insurance certificate instantly. The PDF is formatted according to French and EU requirements, with clear wording, correct dates and coverage shown in euros — helping you finalise one key document of your application in just a few minutes.

Step 5: Submit your file and biometrics 🧬

Attend your appointment to:

• submit your full application file,
• provide biometric data (fingerprints and photo, if not already registered),
• pay the visa fee.

Biometrics are required for applicants aged 12 and above and are generally valid for 59 months.

Step 6: Wait for the decision ⏳

Once submitted, your application is reviewed by the French consulate, which is the only authority empowered to approve or refuse your visa.

The standard processing time under EU rules is up to 15 calendar days, but in practice this period is often extended:

• during peak travel seasons (late spring and summer),
• for first-time Schengen applicants,
• when additional background or document checks are required.

Processing times in France also tend to be longer around specific dates and periods, including:

• May to August, ahead of the main tourist season,
• the weeks preceding Easter and school holidays,
• mid-July, around 14 July (Bastille Day), when administrative capacity may be reduced,
• late November to early January, due to Christmas and New Year holidays.

During these periods, decision times can extend well beyond the standard 15 days, especially in high-volume consulates.

Submitting a complete and coherent file from the start, with clear proof of funds, accommodation and Schengen-compliant insurance, remains the most effective way to avoid additional delays during processing.

How much money and fees are required for a France Schengen visa?

When applying for a Schengen visa to France, consulates verify two separate financial elements: your ability to support yourself during the stay and the payment of the official visa fee. Both are assessed independently and must be clearly justified in your application file.

Proof of financial means in France 🏦

France applies official daily subsistence thresholds, which vary depending on how you plan to stay in the country. These amounts must be supported by recent and consistent financial documents (bank statements, income proof or sponsorship).

These figures are applied strictly and are often cross-checked with the length of stay, travel itinerary and profile of the applicant.

France Schengen visa fees 💶

Schengen Visa fees are standardised across the Schengen Area and must be paid at the time of submission. They are non-refundable, even if the visa is refused.

In addition to the visa fee, visa centres such as VFS, TLScontact, BLS or CAPAGO may charge a service fee, which varies by country and is paid separately.

Ensuring that both your financial proof and fee payment are clear and compliant helps avoid unnecessary delays or questions during processing.

Is Schengen travel insurance mandatory for France?

Yes. If you need a short-stay Schengen visa (type C) to travel to France, travel medical insurance is legally mandatory under the EU Visa Code. Visa centres such as VFS, TLScontact, BLS and CAPAGO generally won’t accept a file without a compliant certificate, and French border police may also request proof of insurance upon arrival in some cases.

Legal requirement and checks 🛡️

To be accepted for a France Schengen visa, your policy must meet the minimum Schengen standards below.

These elements are checked before submission (to confirm the file is complete) and again during consular review when needed.

Why insurance is a “quick win” document ✔️

Insurance is one of the few parts of the application you can make perfectly compliant without uncertainty:

• requirements are fixed and objective (€30,000 + repatriation + Schengen-wide validity),
• it’s affordable compared with the rest of the trip,
• the certificate can be generated instantly and corrected quickly if dates change.

That’s why many travellers use HelloSafe to compare Schengen-compliant policies and obtain a visa-ready PDF in minutes. The platform filters only recognised insurers and lets applicants choose useful options such as flexible date changes and refund of the premium if the French consulate refuses the visa—a strong advantage in a context where roughly 1 in 6 applications is not approved.

How much does Schengen travel insurance for France cost? 🛡️

Compared with visa fees and overall travel expenses, Schengen travel insurance remains relatively inexpensive. For most travellers, prices typically range between:

• €15–€25 for a short stay of about 7 days,
• €20–€40 for 10–15 days,
• €35–€70 for stays of up to 30 days, depending on age and coverage level.

This cost includes the mandatory €30,000 medical cover, hospitalisation and repatriation required for a France Schengen visa.

When added to the €90 Schengen visa fee (plus the service fee charged by VFS/TLS/BLS/CAPAGO), insurance represents roughly €20–€70 extra in the total application cost — a relatively small expense that offers essential financial protection, given that an emergency room visit in France can easily exceed €400–€900, and hospital stays may reach several thousand euros.

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How long does it take to get a Schengen visa for France?

The time needed to obtain a Schengen visa for France depends on both the legal processing framework and the practical reality of consular workloads. While EU rules set a standard timeframe, actual waiting times often vary significantly by country, season and applicant profile.

Official vs real processing times ⏳

Under the EU Visa Code, French consulates must normally issue a decision within 15 calendar days from the date your complete application is submitted. However, this is a maximum reference period, not a guaranteed turnaround time.

In practice, processing can take longer when:

• application volumes are high, especially before major French and European holidays,
• additional security or background checks are required,
• the applicant is a first-time Schengen traveller,
• the file is submitted close to peak travel dates.

France tends to be particularly crowded for visa processing during:

• late spring and summer (May–August), ahead of peak tourist season,
• the period before Easter and school holidays,
• November–December, before Christmas and New Year,
• weeks surrounding major national holidays such as 14 July (Bastille Day), when administrative capacity may be reduced.

For many applicants, the realistic timeframe is closer to 2 to 6 weeks from the appointment date, and can be longer during these peak periods.

Applying early and submitting a fully compliant file from the start remains the most effective way to avoid last-minute delays.

Typical France Schengen visa processing times by region 🗺️

These timelines exclude appointment waiting time, which can add several days or weeks depending on visa centre availability.

To avoid last-minute stress, applicants are advised to:

• apply as early as possible (up to 6 months before travel),
• submit a complete, consistent file from the start,
• ensure documents like travel insurance are already compliant, as missing or unclear certificates are a common cause of delays.

Planning ahead is often the most effective way to reduce waiting time when applying for a Schengen visa to France.

Why are Schengen visas for France refused?

Even though France is the largest Schengen visa issuer, a significant share of applications are refused or not issued each year. Most refusals are linked to documentary weaknesses rather than a single disqualifying factor.

Most common refusal reasons are :

These issues often appear together and can collectively weaken an application, even if no single document is missing.

What French visa statistics show 📊

Official Schengen data highlights that refusals are not marginal:

• 2023: about 2.6 million France Schengen applications, with ~16.7% not issued
• 2024: around 3.4 million total visa applications, with a refusal rate close to 16.6%
• Refusal rates are significantly higher for certain nationalities, in some cases exceeding 30–40%, leading to closer scrutiny of documents

With roughly 1 application out of 6 refused, anything that looks incomplete, unclear or inconsistent, especially insurance, financial proof and travel plans, can directly affect the outcome of your France Schengen visa application.

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To reduce the risk of refusal, make sure your travel insurance is fully Schengen-compliant from the start. With HelloSafe, you can compare approved policies and get a visa-ready certificate in minutes — and if your France Schengen visa is refused, the insurance premium can be refunded, subject to policy conditions.

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