For countries that are not covered by the Schengen agreement, in order to enter the territory of France, a visa is required . Such a document can be issued for a single or multiple visits, and the terms of its validity are directly related to the purpose of the trip.
The following types of visas are valid in the country:
- short-term visa C (for tourist, business, guest trips);
- transit visas A and B for transfers in the transit zone;
- national visa D for staying in France for more than 3 months.
The most frequently issued short-term Schengen visa, which allows you to travel to all Schengen states. Depending on its intended purpose, the validity period can be from 2 to 6 months with a permitted stay in France for 30 days.
The second most popular is the national French visa. It is issued for a longer period and has no restrictions on the number of entries into France (multiple entry visa). It is very convenient to get a visa for a period of more than 3 months and up to 5 years, during which you can work, do an internship, study, do business. True, in order to obtain it, you need a document confirming the need to issue this particular type of visa.
Work or labor visa to France
To come to France for the purpose of employment, it is necessary to apply for a visa that allows you to get a job. Only a work or work visa, and not a tourist or guest visa, allows you to legally work on the territory of this country. The procedure for obtaining it is rather complicated, since, first of all, the interests of French citizens and residents of the European Union are taken into account. To prove the need to hire a foreigner, the employer will have to go through many checks and approvals at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Bureau of International Migration under the Ministry of Labor.
A work visa can be issued for up to 3 months (short-term) and more than 3 months (long-term). Visa processing is the responsibility of the French employer, who must first apply to the Office of Immigration and Integration (OFI). Documents for a visa are considered for 1-1.5 months and, after a positive decision, are redirected to the embassy of the immigrant country.
A long-term work visa is not a general Schengen visa. It is issued to specialists in the most sought-after professions only for work in France. The main difficulty in obtaining it is due to the fact that, according to the requirements of the migration committee, the salary of a foreigner should be much higher than the average for the whole country. Visa processing begins after the conclusion of an employment contract and receipt of an invitation from the employer.
Student visa to France
A student visa for entry into France can be short-term and long-term. To pass the exams, a visa is initially issued for 90 days, which, in case of admission, is changed to a long-term visa with a residence permit. Since 2009, a single standard for a long-term student visa has been established, which automatically gives the right to a residence permit. It should be borne in mind that obtaining a visa for study takes a lot of time, so you need to apply for a visa as early as possible so as not to be late for the start of your studies.
If you first plan to enroll in a short-term program, and then start a long-term course of study, then you need to apply immediately for the entire intended period. A short-term visa is considered a Schengen visa and cannot be extended after the expiration date. In France, as in other EU countries, it is impossible to enter the country on a tourist visa, and then reissue it for a student visa.
If after the end of the course of study there is a desire to continue education, then the documents for a visa must be submitted for extension to your educational institution even before the expiration of the previous one. When a positive response is received, it is necessary to apply to the prefecture of the place of residence with a request to extend the status. If a student visa is denied, it will be possible to submit an application in French with a request to explain the reason for the refusal.
Business visa to France
A French business visa allows frequent visits to the country in order to participate in seminars, business negotiations, organize cooperation and joint ventures. For those who need to visit the country frequently and stay for a long time, obtaining this type of visa is the best way to do business and create strong partnerships. A business visa entitles you to stay in France for a period of 90 days, but does not grant you a work permit. Such a visa is a Schengen multi-visa and allows you to repeatedly visit not only France, but also other EU countries.
Having received an invitation from French partners, you can start applying for a visa . You need to submit documents to the embassy or consulate of France, you can do it personally, or you can have a representative of a businessman handle the processing by proxy. Making a Schengen multivisa is a rather complicated process, because. Embassy staff carefully check all the information provided for accuracy.
An invitation to participate in a business event must be from a French company or an accredited representative office of a foreign company. Usually the visa is issued for the period specified in this invitation. It is possible to apply for a longer-term visa if there is a positive visa history.
Tourist visa to France
France is one of the most visited countries in the world. Rich history, masterpieces of architecture and world art have always attracted tourists from all over the world. If you have the opportunity, you should definitely visit this country. Applying for a tourist visa is a process worked out to the smallest detail. This permission can be obtained in two ways:
- through a travel agency;
- independently (in the diplomatic mission of France),
As a rule, a tourist visa is a short-term visa for multiple entries. It is issued for a period of 2 to 6 months with 30 days allowed for stay. You can get a visa of this type not only to explore the sights of France. It is very convenient for those foreigners who have purchased property in this country.
The easiest way is to entrust the processing of documents for a visa to a travel agency. Here, in addition to the visa itself, even if you do not buy a tour, you can arrange hotel accommodation, book tickets, and organize leisure activities during your stay in France. You can apply for a visa on your own and, in addition to the general package of documents, provide proof of payment or booking a hotel and tickets. If the trip takes place by car, then a tourist visa is issued taking into account the days that will need to be spent on the road.
France visa documents
In order to obtain a French visa, a standard package of documents is submitted to the diplomatic mission:
- Passport with a validity of up to 90 days after the end of the trip.
- Copies of all pages of the main civil passport.
- Two photographs that meet the requirements of the visa regime.
- Questionnaire in French or English.
- Medical insurance documents for visa .
- Booking receipt or original travel documents.
- To confirm financial capabilities, you must provide:
- a certificate of employment containing information about the salary and position;
- an extract from an account opened with a bank;
- sponsorship letter from a relative or French partner.
Cash, traveler’s checks, currency exchange certificates and credit cards are not considered as financial guarantees.
A sponsorship letter is a free-form document in which a close relative guarantees the financial support of non-working relatives (students, pensioners, housewives). The receiving party can also act as a guarantor.
Entrepreneurs need to provide evidence that the company is registered with the State. register, a copy of the identification code and an invitation from the partner. If the trip takes place with the participation of children, then the consent of the parents or guardians, certified by a notary, is required.
