Visas to France
- transit visa
- issued to persons whose purpose of visit is transit to third countries through the international airport of France; - visa-free transit
- if a transfer from one flight to another is carried out in the transit zone of one airport within 24 hours, to a country not included in the Schengen zone; - visa category C
(short-term stay up to 90 days) - issued to persons whose purpose of visit is tourism, transit, visiting relatives or friends, business trips. This visa gives the right to visit countries in the Schengen area. A visa can be single, double or multiple and allows a foreigner, respectively, one, two or an unlimited number of times, during the time specified in the visa, to transit or enter and plan to stay in the territory of the countries participating in the Schengen Agreement. The validity period of a visa can be from several days (usually issued according to the duration of the trip) to several years, however, the duration of the trip or the total number of days of stay in the territory of the Schengen countries should not exceed 90 days for each period of 180 days; - visa category D
(long-term national visa for a period of stay of 90 days) - valid only in France and gives the right to stay in the country for up to 1 year with the possibility of extension after completion. This visa gives the right to travel to Schengen countries for up to 90 days during the validity period of the national visa. For such a visa, you must apply directly to the Consulate General of France in Moscow, St. Petersburg, depending on the jurisdiction of the consulate.
Categories of citizens exempt from paying consular duties
The following categories are exempt from the fee for obtaining a permit to visit the country:
- children under 6 years old;
- family members of French and EU citizens;
- participants of delegations by invitation letter from intergovernmental organizations that are officially invited to participate in events held in France, including conferences, negotiations, meetings;
- representatives of the government of the Russian Federation and the governments of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation;
- members of the Supreme, Constitutional judicial authorities;
- citizens who are disabled and one accompanying person;
- persons traveling for urgent treatment, either to visit a sick relative, or to attend funeral events;
- schoolchildren, students who are going on a trip for educational purposes and the teachers accompanying them;
- persons who participate in international youth sports competitions and their accompanying persons;
- persons participating in scientific and educational programs, including cultural and artistic ones, including exchange programs;
- participants in exchange events between cities recognized as sister cities.
List of documents for obtaining a visa to France through a travel agency
An approximate list of documents required to obtain a French visa (different tour operators may require a different set of documents):
- A foreign passport
valid for 3 months after the visa expires, requiring three blank pages. Since the French Consulate also issues multiple-entry six-month visas for Russian citizens for a stay of 90 days, the expiration date of the passport must additionally be at least 6 months from the start of the tour. - application form for a visa to France in one copy. The application form must have an original signature, as in the international passport (one at point 37 and three at the end of the 3rd page).
France visa application form- 2 color photographs
: 3.5x4.5 cm, matte, on a light gray or light blue background (the background must differ from the color of the application paper), in dark clothes, less than six months old, head size 3.2-3.6 cm , no corners, ovals, stamps, black glasses, a photograph with a multi-colored background, with images of objects, people, landscapes, etc. in the background is unacceptable, the distance from the face image to the edge of the photograph should remain approximately 5 mm, the distance from the head ( top of the head) to the top edge of the photograph - at least 2 mm, the image of the applicant must correspond to his modern appearance, and must contain an image of the neck and shoulders - copy of the first page of the passport
- copies of all pages of the canceled passport
(4 spreads per sheet, 2 on each side). If it has Schengen visas for the last 3 years - copies of all completed pages of the internal passport
(4 spreads per sheet, 2 on each side) - original certificate of employment
on the company's letterhead indicating the telephone number and address of the organization, position, length of service and monthly salary of the applicant (at least 25,000 rubles), the period of paid leave is indicated. The certificate must indicate the date of issue. The certificate is valid for no more than a month from the date of submission of documents to the Consulate. The certificate is signed by the head of the organization and certified by a seal. Working pensioners additionally provide a pension certificate. - a certificate from the bank
(with account movements for the last three months) confirming the availability of a sufficient amount of 40,000 rubles per person (additional document). The certificate must contain bank details with a stamp and signature. Certificates of foreign currency transactions are not financial guarantees - for tourists who are married
but have different surnames, it is necessary to attach
a copy of the marriage certificate - if
one of the tourists
has a valid Schengen visa
, you must attach copies of the spreadsheet with a photo and visa - for persons who have two foreign passports
: a photocopy of all pages of the second passport, if it contains Schengen visas for the last 3 years - for persons planning
to visit a Schengen country for the first time
Additional requirements
for non-working people
(schoolchildren, students, pensioners, housewives, etc.):
- certificate from the place of study
(students, schoolchildren) - copy of student ID
(students) - copy of pension book
(pensioners) - a statement from the sponsor
about accepting all expenses, indicating the relationship of the sponsor and the sponsored, and a copy of his international passport (first page) or a copy of the first page and page with registration of the internal passport, a certificate from the sponsor’s place of work, indicating a salary of at least 40,000 rubles or a bank account statement at the rate of 40,000 rubles per person.
for individual entrepreneurs
and those who work for them (in addition to a certificate from the place of work):
- a copy of the certificate of registration
with the tax authority - a copy of registration certificate
with the tax authority
for minors:
- a copy of the child's birth certificate
. If the surname of one or both parents in the birth certificate does not match the surname of the child, it is necessary to provide copies of documents confirming the relationship (certificate of paternity, marriage certificate, divorce certificate) - when a child leaves with one of the parents,
it is necessary to provide a copy of the notarized permission to leave from the second parent + a copy of the internal passport of the parent giving consent to the entry and exit of the child - When leaving a child accompanied by third parties,
you must provide a copy of the notarized permission to leave from both parents + photocopies of their internal passports - copy of visa
+ double page of passport with details of accompanying person (or parents) - in the event of the death of one of the parents or deprivation of his parental rights, it is necessary to provide copies of the relevant documents. If one of the parents is missing, a police certificate is required; if at the birth of the child the father was registered according to the mother’s words, it is necessary to provide a certificate from the regional registry office - form 25 (original or notarized copy)
Sponsors can only be immediate family members
- spouses, parents, children, grandparents (documents confirming relationship must be provided)
The consulate reserves the right to request additional documents and invite a tourist for an interview, regardless of his location.
Prepare a package of documents
The main stumbling block for many travelers is the bureaucratic component, which involves collecting a large package of documents. Errors in the content or absence of any papers may lead to refusal to issue a permit. The first step is filling out an application for a visa to France . Please note a number of features here:
- The filling method is on the VC website.
- Design language: French or English.
- Information requirements: clarity, truthfulness, correct spelling of names and surnames. The passport data is entered without changes.
- Signatures. As you fill out the application form for a visa to France, you will have to sign several times. You cannot skip these moments, because this is fraught with refusal.
After filling out, check the contents of the form to ensure that the information entered is correct and that there are no errors or omissions.
Also prepare the following documents for a visa to France:
- International passport. You will need the original and a copy of the pages with the completed data. The original is valid for 3 months after return.
- General civil identity card. Necessary copies of completed pages.
- Photo (two) size 3.5x4.5 cm.
- Receipt for payment of the fee.
- Book tickets (round trip) and hotel room at the final destination.
- Certificate taken from the employer. It indicates the salary and position.
- Confirmation of the sufficiency of the amount. The bank statement is checked. The document must be “fresh” and issued within the last six months. In the absence of official employment, a sponsorship letter, a copy of the pension document (for pensioners) or a student card (for students) may be required.
- Medical insurance. To obtain a visa to France, it is necessary to conclude an agreement with an insurer for a coverage amount exceeding €30,000.
Depending on the situation, additional documents may be required. Thus, when applying for a transit visa, you must indicate the final route of travel. If we are talking about a private visit by invitation, you need a copy and original of the invitation. You will also need documents confirming the presence of family ties and legal right of residence in the country.
Applying for a national visa to France requires filling out two forms, the OFII form, a general passport and a foreign passport. In addition, you need a certificate from your employer, a diploma, proof of financial solvency and a motivation letter.
When traveling with children, additionally take two regular-size photos, a birth certificate, and a questionnaire filled out by the mother/father. If only one parent travels with a minor, the permission of the second is required. When crossing the border with a third party, a power of attorney is required. If the child is over 14 years old, he must have his own passport.
Applying for a visa to France yourself
You can apply for a visa to France yourself
, for this you need to collect approximately the same list of documents + medical insurance, a copy of round-trip air tickets, proof of residence, or an invitation, and submit it either to the
Consular Section
in Moscow, or to the nearest
visa center
which is located in the cities: Moscow, Irkutsk, Kaliningrad, Kazan, Khabarovsk, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Perm, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, St. Petersburg, Saratov, Ufa, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg.
Detailed information
information about types of visas, methods of obtaining, list of documents provided, production times, costs, addresses of visa centers, forms and samples of documents, sign up to submit documents, etc. can be found
on the
VFS Global
How to apply for a French visa on your own
To save money, many travelers obtain a visa to France on their own and without intermediaries. In this case, you must go directly to the Consulate or Embassy of the country. The general algorithm looks like this:
- decide on the type of permit;
- collect a package of documents;
- make an appointment at the France Visa Application Centre;
- appear to submit biometrics, pay for the collection and transfer of documents;
- wait until your passport is ready;
- come in person or send an authorized representative to pick up the completed documentation.
Submission of biometric data has been mandatory since 2015 . The procedure is carried out once every five years with a mandatory visit to the Consulate. Only children under 12 years of age are exempt from biometrics. The fingerprinting itself takes no more than five minutes. To speed up and simplify the process, it is better to apply for a visa to France in Moscow with the help of specialists at the visa center.
Visa processing time
- when applying for a visa to France through a travel agency
, check the deadlines with your manager, usually they are
7-15 working days
from the date of application + time to send documents from the city of departure, and in the high season this period increases to 30 days - When applying for a visa through visa centers,
the period is
5-10 working days
, plus time for sending documents. If additional verification is required, the review period may be extended to 30 days - It is possible to obtain an urgent visa within 3 working days
, if you have tickets confirming departure in the coming days - Documents for obtaining a French visa can be submitted no earlier than 3 months before departure.
Additional services
For additional money at the visa center you can get a range of services that will make your visa application more comfortable:
- filling out the form: 400 rubles/piece. (or for 300 rubles from us);
- courier delivery of finished passports: about 1000 rubles (in Moscow);
- submission of documents between 16:00 and 20:00: 50 euros ().
Total cost of a visa to France per person with a package of additional services: 35 euros (consular fee) + 2000 rubles (visa center service fee) + 50 euros (surcharge for submitting documents in the evening) + 500 rubles (insurance) + 400 rubles (filling out questionnaires) + 300 rubles (photo) = about 9300 rubles at the euro exchange rate for July 2021.
France visa validity period
The French Consulate issues:
- single and double-entry Schengen visas
for a period of stay in the country
of up to 90 days
(usually the length of stay corresponds to the invitation/hotel reservation) - Schengen multiple visas
valid for
180 days
with the right to stay in the country (Schengen countries) for no more than
90 days
within six months. A multiple entry visa can be issued if the passport already contains French visas, or there is a reasoned written application for the need to issue a multiple entry visa - transit Schengen visas
valid
for up to 6 months
(the length of stay is determined depending on the tickets provided and hotel reservations. In the case of a double or multiple transit visa, the total period of stay during all entries is indicated)
Cost of a visa to France
When purchasing a tour through a tour operator
- for citizens of the Russian Federation
-
70-80
€ - for children under 6 years old
(regardless of whether they have their own passport or are registered with their parents) -
0-30
€
When submitting documents independently through the Consulate
- for citizens of the countries: Russian Federation, Ukraine, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia - 35
€ - for citizens of other countries - 60
€ - for children under 6 years old
-
free
When submitting documents independently through a visa center (VFS Visa Facilitation Service)
- for citizens of the countries: Russian Federation, Ukraine, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia - 35
€ + service fee -
29.5
€ - for citizens of other countries - 60
€ + service fee -
29.5
€ - for children under 6 years old -
service fee -
29.5
€
Migration card
Upon arrival in France, before crossing the border, a migration card is filled out. To speed up the process of passing through the border control point, such cards are usually issued on the plane, where our flight attendants can help fill them out. It should be filled out with a blue or black pen, in block Latin letters. The card must be filled out for each person entering, including each child with their own passport. Sample of filling out a migration card when entering France. There is no need to download a blank card from the Internet, print it out and fill it out at home; just take a sample of the form with you.
Embassy and consulates of the French Republic in the Russian Federation
Embassy of the French Republic in Moscow
Address: Moscow
, st. Bolshaya Yakimanka, 45 Telephone, 937-14-30 Official website: www.ambafrance-ru.org
Consular Section of the Embassy of the French Republic in Moscow
Address: Moscow
, Kazansky lane, 10 Telephone
Consular Section of the Embassy of the French Republic in St. Petersburg
Address: St. Petersburg
, Nevsky Prospekt, 12 Telephone
Consular Section of the Embassy of the French Republic in Yekaterinburg
Address: Ekaterinburg
, st. Karl Liebknechta, 22 Telephone
