Guide for France Visa Requirements

Author: Zeke

Published: September 4, 2023

If you plan to visit France, you will most likely need to apply for the Schengen Visa for France. This short-term visa allows you to explore the beauty of France and stay for up to 90 days within 180 days.

The documents you need may vary depending on your nationality. Whether you’re arriving by land, sea, or air, you’ll need to present certain documents to the border police.

The French government has provided a user-friendly calculator for determining your French visa requirements.

In this guide, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about obtaining a Schengen Visa for France.

For those from ASEAN countries planning to experience France, getting acquainted with visa requirements specific to your home country is important. Below are the documents you’ll need for a France visa application. Always cover your trip with the Luma Schengen Pass for all your travel insurance needs.

France Visa Requirements for Thai Citizens

Documents required for Thai Citizens

Valid Passport: This should have at least 3 months’ validity following your stay in the Schengen area.
Completed Application Form: The France tourist visa online application form should be accurately completed in full.
Passport-sized Photos: Two recent photos complying with Schengen specifications.
Travel insurance: The insurance must cover:
- Cost of repatriation for medical reasons or death.
- Urgent healthcare and emergency hospital treatment for the entire stay and throughout the Schengen area.
- Any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons.
- Coverage must be of at least €30,000 or its equivalent in local currency.

If the application is for a multiple-entry visa, the medical insurance must be valid for the first planned entry. The Luma Schengen Travel Pass is highly recommended as it meets all these requirements.

Flight Itinerary: You must provide documentary evidence of your round-trip flight reservation. If you don’t plan to return to your home country after your stay in France, you’ll need proof of onward travel.
Accommodation Proof: Hotel bookings or a formal invitation from a host in France.
Documents that prove your purpose of entry: These could vary depending on the reason for your visit to France. You’ll need to show that you have sufficient financial means, and intention to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires. The required documents include:
- Letter from your employer or school confirming your leave.
- Round trip Flight Bookings / Itinerary
- Accommodation proof covering the whole period of stay in the Schengen Area. (Invitation Letter or Hotel Bookings)
- Invitation Letter from France stating the purpose and schedule of this trip (for a business trip or academic conference only)
Comprehensive travel itinerary: This includes details about your trip, the purpose of travel, the duration of your stay, and any relevant personal information. This information can be provided as a letter, with supporting documentation such as hotel reservations or a formal invitation letter from a resident of a Schengen country.
Proof of Financial Means: Up-to-date bank statements or a sponsorship letter.
Proof of civil status: This could be a marriage certificate, a child’s birth certificate, etc. Additional Requirements based on your employment status may be required as follows:

If employed:
- Employment contract
- Current bank statement for the latest 6 months
- Leave permission from the employer.
- Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.
If self-employed:
- A copy of your business license
- Company bank statement for the latest 6 months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
If a student:
Proof of enrolment
No-objection certificate from school or university.
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If retired: Pension statement of the latest 6 months.
If applicable: Proof of regular income generated by a property for the last 6 months.

Visa fee: This must be paid in full at the time of application, fees may vary.
Appointment: Visa applications can be submitted in Thailand at TLScontact and are processed by the visa section of the Embassy of France in Thailand in Bangkok. Appointment bookings can be made directly via TLScontact.
Document checklist: Please refer to the online checklist before submitting your France visa application.

France Visa Requirements for Indonesian Citizens

Documents required for Indonesian Citizens

1. Valid Passport: This should have at least 3 months’ validity following your stay in the Schengen area.
2. Completed Application Form: The France tourist visa online application form should be accurately completed in full.
3. Passport-sized Photos: Two recent photos complying with Schengen specifications.
4. Travel insurance: The insurance must cover:
  - Cost of repatriation for medical reasons or death.
  - Urgent healthcare and emergency hospital treatment for the entire stay and throughout the Schengen area.
  - Any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons.
  - Coverage must be of at least €30,000 or its equivalent in local currency.
If the application is for a multiple-entry visa, the medical insurance must be valid for the first planned entry. The Luma Schengen Travel Pass is highly recommended as it meets all these requirements.
1. Flight Itinerary: You must provide documentary evidence of your round-trip flight reservation. If you don’t plan to return to your home country after your stay in France, you’ll need proof of onward travel.
2. Accommodation Proof: Hotel bookings or a formal invitation from a host in France.
3. Documents that prove your purpose of entry: These could vary depending on the reason for your visit to France. You’ll need to show that you have sufficient financial means, and intention to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires. The required documents include:
  - Letter from your employer or school confirming your leave.
  - Round trip Flight Bookings / Itinerary
  - Accommodation proof covering the whole period of stay in the Schengen Area. (Invitation Letter or Hotel Bookings)
  - Invitation Letter from France stating the purpose and schedule of this trip (for a business trip or academic conference only)
4. Comprehensive travel itinerary: This includes details about your trip, the purpose of travel, the duration of your stay, and any relevant personal information. This information can be provided as a letter, with supporting documentation such as hotel reservations or a formal invitation letter from a resident of a Schengen country.
5. Proof of Financial Means: Up-to-date bank statements or a sponsorship letter.
6. Proof of civil status: This could be a marriage certificate, a child’s birth certificate, etc. Additional Requirements based on your employment status may be required as follows:
- If employed:
  - Employment contract
  - Current bank statement for the latest 6 months
  - Leave permission from the employer.
  - Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.
- If self-employed:
  - A copy of your business license
  - Company bank statement for the latest 6 months
  - Income Tax Return (ITR)
- If a student:
- Proof of enrolment
- No-objection certificate from school or university.
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- If retired: Pension statement of the latest 6 months.
- If applicable: Proof of regular income generated by a property for the last 6 months.
1. Visa fee: This must be paid in full at the time of application; fees may vary.
2. Appointment: French Schengen visa applications in Indonesia can be submitted at TLScontact and processed by the visa section of the Embassy of France in Jakarta. France tourist visa appointment bookings can be made directly via
3. Document checklist: Please refer to the online checklist before submitting your France visa application.

France Visa Requirements for Vietnamese Citizens

Documents required for Vietnamese Citizens

1. Valid Passport: This should have at least 3 months’ validity following your stay in the Schengen area.
2. Completed Application Form: The France tourist visa online application form should be accurately completed in full.
3. Passport-sized Photos: Two recent photos complying with Schengen specifications.
4. Travel insurance: The insurance must cover:
  - Cost of repatriation for medical reasons or death.
  - Urgent healthcare and emergency hospital treatment for the entire stay and throughout the Schengen area.
  - Any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons.
  - Coverage must be of at least €30,000 or its equivalent in local currency.
If the application is for a multiple-entry visa, the medical insurance must be valid for the first planned entry. The Luma Schengen Travel Pass is highly recommended as it meets all these requirements.
1. Flight Itinerary: You must provide documentary evidence of your round-trip flight reservation. If you don’t plan to return to your home country after your stay in France, you’ll need proof of onward travel.
2. Accommodation Proof: Hotel bookings or a formal invitation from a host in France.
3. Documents that prove your purpose of entry: These could vary depending on the reason for your visit to France. You’ll need to show that you have sufficient financial means, and intention to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires. The required documents include:
  - Letter from your employer or school confirming your leave.
  - Round trip Flight Bookings / Itinerary
  - Accommodation proof covering the whole period of stay in the Schengen Area. (Invitation Letter or Hotel Bookings)
  - Invitation Letter from France stating the purpose and schedule of this trip (for a business trip or academic conference only)
4. Comprehensive travel itinerary: This includes details about your trip, the purpose of travel, the duration of your stay, and any relevant personal information. This information can be provided as a letter, with supporting documentation such as hotel reservations or a formal invitation letter from a resident of a Schengen country.
5. Proof of Financial Means: Up-to-date bank statements or a sponsorship letter.
6. Proof of civil status: This could be a marriage certificate, a child’s birth certificate, etc. Additional Requirements based on your employment status may be required as follows:
- If employed:
  - Employment contract
  - Current bank statement for the latest 6 months
  - Leave permission from the employer.
  - Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.
- If self-employed:
  - A copy of your business license
  - Company bank statement for the latest 6 months
  - Income Tax Return (ITR)
- If a student:
- Proof of enrolment
- No-objection certificate from school or university.
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- If retired: Pension statement of the latest 6 months.
- If applicable: Proof of regular income generated by a property for the last 6 months.
1. Visa fee: This must be paid in full at the time of application; fees may vary.
2. Appointment: People residing in Vietnam who want to travel to France as a sole or main destination, must apply for a France tourist visa through TLScontact, the service provider in charge of collecting visa applications under the authority of the French Embassy in Hanoi and or the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. France tourist visa appointment bookings can be made directly via TLScontact.
3. Document checklist: Please refer to the online checklist before submitting your France visa application.

France Visa Requirements for Malaysian Citizens

Malaysian passport holders currently do not require a short stay visa to visit France for less than 90 days. It is recommended to check the requirements before you travel via the France Visa requirements in case of any change in requirements.

France Visa Requirements for Philippine Citizens

Documents required for Philippine Citizens

1. 1. Valid Passport: This should have at least 3 months’ validity following your stay in the Schengen area.
  2. Completed Application Form: The France tourist visa online application form should be accurately completed in full.
  3. Passport-sized Photos: Two recent photos complying with Schengen specifications.
  4. Travel insurance: The insurance must cover:
  - Cost of repatriation for medical reasons or death.
  - Urgent healthcare and emergency hospital treatment for the entire stay and throughout the Schengen area.
  - Any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons.
  - Coverage must be of at least €30,000 or its equivalent in local currency.
    - If the application is for a multiple-entry visa, the medical insurance must be valid for the first planned entry. The Luma Schengen Travel Pass is highly recommended as it meets all these requirements.
  1. Flight Itinerary: You must provide documentary evidence of your round-trip flight reservation. If you don’t plan to return to your home country after your stay in France, you’ll need proof of onward travel.
  2. Accommodation Proof: Hotel bookings or a formal invitation from a host in France.
  3. Documents that prove your purpose of entry: These could vary depending on the reason for your visit to France. You’ll need to show that you have sufficient financial means, and intention to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires. The required documents include:
    - Letter from your employer or school confirming your leave.
    - Round trip Flight Bookings / Itinerary
    - Accommodation proof covering the whole period of stay in the Schengen Area. (Invitation Letter or Hotel Bookings)
    - Invitation Letter from France stating the purpose and schedule of this trip (for a business trip or academic conference only)
  4. Comprehensive travel itinerary: This includes details about your trip, the purpose of travel, the duration of your stay, and any relevant personal information. This information can be provided as a letter, with supporting documentation such as hotel reservations or a formal invitation letter from a resident of a Schengen country.
  5. Proof of Financial Means: Up-to-date bank statements or a sponsorship letter.
  6. Proof of civil status: This could be a marriage certificate, a child’s birth certificate, etc. Additional Requirements based on your employment status may be required as follows:
  - If employed:
    - Employment contract
    - Current bank statement for the latest 6 months
    - Leave permission from the employer.
    - Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.
  - If self-employed:
    - A copy of your business license
    - Company bank statement for the latest 6 months
    - Income Tax Return (ITR)
  - If a student:
    - Proof of enrolment
    - No-objection certificate from school or university.
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    - If retired: Pension statement of the latest 6 months.
    - If applicable: Proof of regular income generated by a property for the last 6 months.
  1. Visa fee: This must be paid in full at the time of application; fees may vary.
  2. Appointment: Residents of the Philippines who wish to apply for a visa for France, whether as the principal destination or as their only destination, have to make a France visa application at VFS Global Manila, the agency responsible for accepting visa applications under the authority of the Embassy of France in Manila.
  3. Document checklist: Please refer to the online checklist before submitting your France visa application.

Where do I apply for my Schengen France Visa?

You need to apply for your France Schengen Visa at your country’s respective French Embassy or Consulate’s specific service provider. Please book an appointment in advance and check their specific application guidelines, as each embassy might have nuances.

Navigating the visa application process might seem daunting, but it becomes straightforward with the right information and preparation. Follow these steps to secure your France Schengen visa:

Determine the Visa Type You Need: Depending on your purpose of visit – be it tourism, business, study, or others – there are different types of Schengen visas. Ensure you apply for the one that corresponds to your travel purpose.
Complete the online Visa Application Form: This form can be found on your country’s official Italian Embassy or Consulate website. Fill out the details accurately and completely.
Gather the necessary documents: The required documents may vary slightly depending on your country and the visa type; this is covered in the next section.
Book an appointment: Schedule an appointment at the French Embassy or Consulate or dedicated service provider in your country to submit your application. Doing this in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons, and processing times may vary.
Attend the visa interview: During your appointment, you may have a short interview where consular officers will ask questions regarding your trip, such as its purpose, duration, and accommodation.
Pay the visa fee: A non-refundable visa application fee varies based on the visa type and your nationality. Ensure you check the current fee structure on the official embassy website.
Wait for the decision.

💡 Travel tip: Prepare both the originals and a copy of all your documents for the visa application.

How much is the cost of the French Visa?

The cost of a Schengen Visa for France can vary based on the applicant’s age, visa type, and nationality. As of the last update, the general visa fee structure for the Schengen visa is as follows:

Adults: EUR80
Children (6-12 years old): EUR40
Children under 6 years: Free of charge

However, there are exceptions and reductions:

Students: Reduced fees or waivers may apply for students or postgraduates and accompanying teachers on educational trips.
Researchers: Individuals travelling for scientific research may benefit from reduced fees.
Diplomatic passport holders: can obtain a visa for free.
Certain categories of applicants from countries with Visa Facilitation Agreements with the Schengen states may be subject to a reduced visa fee of EUR35.
Long-term visas: National or Type D visas, intended for longer stays in France or any other Schengen country, might have a different fee structure.

Fees are non-refundable, even if your visa application is rejected. Additionally, visa processing agencies or centres might charge an additional service fee.

Visa fees can be updated or modified based on bilateral agreements or other factors; always check the official website of the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your country. Ensure you have the correct amount and acceptable payment method (some consulates may prefer cash, while others accept card payments or bank transfers).

Do I need travel insurance for France?

To obtain your France Schengen Visa, your travel and medical insurance must be valid for all 27 countries in the Schengen Area, even those you have no plans to visit, and cover accidents and illnesses, covering costs up to a minimum of EUR30,000.

The Luma Schengen Pass travel insurance comprehensively covers all the requirements for travel to France – we’ve got you covered!

Here are some reasons why you should consider choosing Luma for your Schengen travel insurance needs:

Extensive coverage: With coverage starting at EUR30,000, Luma offers comprehensive protection throughout your trip, giving you peace of mind as you explore Europe.
Flexible options: Whether planning an individual trip or multiple trips within a year, Luma Schengen Pass Travel Insurance has got you covered.
Wide range of eligibility: Luma is designed to accommodate travellers of various age groups, from 1 year old to 85 years old.
Perfect for Southeast Asian travellers: If you’re departing from Southeast Asia, Luma Schengen Pass Travel Insurance is specifically tailored to meet your needs.

But that’s not all! Here are some additional benefits you can enjoy with Luma:

Easy application process: Applying for Luma insurance is a breeze – do it online and receive your insurance certificate via email.
Trustworthy and reliable: Join over 60,000 fellow travellers who have trusted Luma. With a proven track record, Luma is a name you can rely on.
Globally recognised: embassies worldwide widely accept Luma insurance, making your visa application process smoother and hassle-free.

So why compromise on your travel insurance? Choose Luma Schengen Pass Travel Insurance and experience the peace of mind you deserve while exploring Europe.

Get France Travel Insurance

Can I switch my visa type or residence status while in France?

Typically, once you are in France with a short-stay Schengen Visa, you cannot change your visa type or apply for a residence permit. If you intend to stay longer or take up employment, you should apply for the appropriate visa from your home country.

Can I extend my short-stay Schengen Visa in France?

Extensions are rare and usually granted in cases of unforeseen circumstances like medical emergencies or major disruptions in travel plans. Always plan your trip within the visa validity to avoid complications.

To further enrich your travel experience in France, always ensure that you’re covered with the LUMA SCHENGEN PASS. This ensures a smooth visa application process and guarantees peace of mind throughout your journey.

For detailed visa application processes, guidelines and other specifics, visiting the official website of the French Embassy or Consulate in your respective country is recommended. Safe travels!