how to apply france visa from usa

1. Complete an online application on the platform Etudes en France following the Etudes en France Application Guide.
2. Pay the processing fee and submit your documents online using Campus France USA's DocBox For the Student Visa, complete steps 3 and 4:
3. Complete a student visa application via France-Visas
4. Schedule and attend an in-person visa appointment at a VFS visa center

Full Answer

Do I need a visa to visit France from America?

You may enter France for up to 90 days for tourist and business purposes without a visa. If you are traveling to France or Monaco for reasons other than business or tourism – such as employment, study, or internship – you must obtain the appropriate French or Monegasque (Monaco) visa for that purpose before you leave the United States.

Do US citizens need visa for France?

All U.S. and Canadian citizens, including infants, need a valid passport to enter France. Visas are not required for American and Canadian visitors staying in France for up to 90 days. For more information, contact your nearest French Consulate. See a list of local French consulates in the U.S. (External link)

How to get a residence visa in France?

In order to get it, follow the steps listed below in the given order:

• Apply for a French long-stay visa with a validity of 4 months to 1 year from your country of residence
• Travel to France
• Validate / Confirm your long-stay visa as a VLS-TS at the French Immigration and Citizenship Office (OFII) in France

What are the requirements for France visa?

• Recent bank statements.
• Employment contract stating your salary, if you will be working in France.
• Income from rented property.
• Retirement benefit plan.
• A letter of declaration from a sponsor stating the readiness to cover your costs for the period of stay, accompanied by documents that confirm possession of money of such sponsor ...

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How long does it take to get a visa to France from us?

The Campus France application for approval (step 1) process takes either 3 days with expedited processing or up to 3 weeks for regular processing. The visa application process may take a minimum of 2-3 weeks after you have had your in-person appointment at the Visa Application Center (VAC).

How much is visa from USA to France?

How Much Does a French Visa Cost?Visa typeFees in EuroFees in DollarsShort stay visa for French Overseas Department or Region8088.43Short stay visa for French Overseas Territories1516.70Student Visa5055.60Other Long Stay Visas99110.105 more rows

Do I need a visa to enter France from USA?

Do US citizens need a visa for France? US citizens do not need a visa to travel to France for up to 90 days. American passport holders can go to France for tourism, business, or transit visa-free. From November 2023, US citizens will need to register with ETIAS to travel to France.

Can I apply online for French visa?

Log on to France-visas, the official website for visa application to France. France-visas is a single portal with all the information you need to process and help you every step of the way (general information, preparing the application, entering details, submitting and tracking the application).

How much bank balance is required for France visa?

The minimum balance required for France is Euro 65 / day (if you show hotel reservations for the entire stay) or Euro 120 / day (for the number of days you do not show proof of hotel reservation). You should provide the details of bank account which is your salary account.

Is France visa easy to get?

The process of getting a French Visa is not easy, nor quick. You can complete the application process for a France visa by following the steps listed below: Choose the right Embassy. Compile the documents file.

Can I go to France from USA?

Yes. As of August 1, 2022, France no longer has COVID entry requirements for any travelers. There are NO testing or vaccine requirements.

What do you need for France visa?

The visa application file must include the following documents:Three long-stay visa application forms;Three passport photographs;A valid passport;The long-stay visa fees;A letter explaining why you are applying for a return visa;Proof of address in France (utility bill, etc.)

What are the requirements for France tourist visa?

And submit the following general required documents to the relevant French Embassy or Consulate:A Duly Completed Application Form. ... Two Recently Made Passport Photos. ... A Valid Passport. ... Proof of the Applicant's Address. ... A Proof of A Booked Round-Trip Flight Ticket with Travel Itinerary. ... Proof of A Travel Visa Insurance.More items...

Which Schengen visa is the easiest to get?

In general, Lithuania is the easiest country to obtain a Schengen Visa from, with officials granting 98.7% of applications.

Where can I book a French visa appointment?

You must book an appointment to submit your visa application to VFS Global visa application center (VAC). Before you book an appointment, you must fill a visa application form online on the official French website France-Visas.

Is tourist visa open for France?

You must apply for a long-stay “visitor” visa. You will be issued with a long-stay visa serving as a residence permit (VLS-TS). This visa is subject to an online validation procedure after you arrive in France.

Do US citizens need a visa for France in 2021?

All U.S. citizens traveling to Europe are required to have a valid ETIAS visa waiver to enter and travel in France. An ETIAS authorization will be required for every American for short-term stays of up to 90-days when traveling to a European country. Complete the ETIAS online application to visit Europe.

How long can a US citizen stay in France?

90 daysU.S. citizens planning to enter and visit France as tourists do not require a visa. Citizens are permitted to remain in the country a maximum of 90 days.

How much does the visa cost?

Visa Types and Application Fee Amounts The application fee for the most common nonimmigrant visa types is US$160. This includes tourist, business, student, and exchange visas. Most petition-based visas, such as work and religious visas, are US$190.

How do I pay my visa fee in France?

The fees must be paid by debit card (only Visa or Mastercard) in person. All requests by mail must have either a Credit Card Payment Authorization Form or a money order, payable to Consulate General of France.

How to submit a France visa application in the US and How to Book an appointment?

fill in your visa application on-line (your visa application form will be automatically filled in and available for printing);

Where can I get a French visa?

You can apply for a French Visa at the VFS Global Center in San Francisco if you are a permanent resident of any of the following: northern California, northern Nevada, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, or the islands of Pacific under American jurisdiction – Guam and Samoa.

Where can I apply for a French visa in Miami?

You can apply for a French Visa at the VFS Global Center in Miami if you are a permanent resident of any of the following: Florida, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands or the US Virgin Islands. Filing an application at VFS Global in Miami.

How long can a US citizen stay in France?

As a US citizen you can stay 90 days in any 180-day period in France and within the Schengen area. Please keep in mind that: The date of entry is considered as the first day of stay. The date of exit is considered as the last day of stay. For entry requirements, please read US citizens traveling to Schengen Countries.

How long is a passport valid in France?

Please make sure: your passport has been issued within the previous 10 years, your passport will be valid for at least three (3) months after the date you exit France or the Schengen Area.

How to prove financial sufficiency in France?

Generally, there are several recognized ways to prove your financial sufficiency: A personal bank statement indicating your financial movements (for at least 3 last months) Credit card. Cash.

Where to request an attestation d'accueil?

If you are invited by a friend or family member you must submit: a original and copy of “Attestation d’Accueil” that your host has to request at the City Hall (Mairie) in France

What is France visa?

France-Visas is a single portal with all the information you need to guide you through the process and help you every step of the way (preparing the application, entering details, submitting and tracking the application).

Do I need a visa?

First, use “Visa wizard” to check, based on your situation, whether you need a visa and if so, what type. The wizard will also tell you what documents must be enclosed with your application, along with the relevant fee.

What is France visa?

France-visas is a single portal with all the information you need to process and help you every step of the way (in preparing the application, entering details, submitting and tracking the application).

Do refugees need a visa?

Refugee or stateless travel document holders must apply for a visa. Please send an email to your consulate to request additional information on this procedure.

How to fill out a visa application?

Fill out the visa application form 1 Your application fees are due upon filing. 2 If your home country is eligible, you must fill out the online application form. You will be guided through the whole process by on-screen explanations.#N#Before validating and printing out your application, you will be asked to create a personal account that includes your email address in order to save your partially- or fully-completed form. After this step, you will receive the list of required supporting documents and have the opportunity to book your appointment. 3 If your country is not eligible, please check the appropriate procedure on your country of application page.

How old do you have to be to get a visa?

Any visa applicant aged 12 or older must submit his or her visa application in person. The following biometric data will be required: a photo (scanned or taken during your appointment), and ten individually-taken fingerprints.

What is the service provider for a visa?

The service provider (or consulate ) will receive you, review your application, collect the visa fee, capture your biometric data (photo and fingerprints) and retain your passport and the copies of all your supporting documents in order to forward them to the consulate.

How long can you hold a Schengen visa?

If you hold a biometric Schengen visa issued within 59 months, either bearing the mention ‘VIS’ or issued after March 2016, your previous biometric data can be re-used.

What is the role of consular services?

The consular services nonetheless remain fully responsible for reviewing applications and making visa issuance decisions.

How long does it take to get a visa for a short stay?

Check on the average appointment wait times to ensure that you are able to submit your application three months to two weeks prior to your departure date for a long stay visa and 6 months to two weeks to your departure date for a short stay visa.

Can passports be sent by mail?

In some instances, the passport can be sent by postal services.

What are the two pathways for French admission?

There are two application pathways: Pre-Consular and Candidate. 1. If you already hold an admission letter (Pre-Consular Application) You already hold an admission letter from a French school or exchange program: You are a study abroad, exchange, dual degree student.

Can Campus France USA process applications?

The Campus France USA team is only able to begin processing your application after you have submitted your DocBox. Please ensure that you SUBMIT your payment receipt and acceptance letter on DocBox.

How to send NIE to French citizen?

Intending French citizen and French resident travelers who believe they qualify for an NIE should send an email to [email protected] with the subject line: “CONSIDERATION FOR NATIONAL INTEREST EXCEPTION – [Last Name]”. Emails should include scans of the biodata passport page of all intending travelers, and scans of any valid United States visas for all travelers.

What determines what type of visa is required?

The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.