How Can I Get a Visa to France?

The Schengen short-stay visa is one of the easiest ways to visit France. According to the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., "the short stay visa (visa type 'C') is issued for private, family or business visit in France for a maximum of 90 days and may be valid for one or multiple entries." Before applying for the Schengen visa, find out if you are from one of the countries not requiring a visa to enter France, as provided on the "Do you need a Visa?" page on the French Ministry of Foreign and European

Step 1
Go to the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., website and download the "Application for Schengen Visa" form (see "Resources").

Step 2
Print the downloaded form. Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need to print two copies of the downloaded form, as provided on the "Number of Application Forms and Photographs for a Short Stay Visa" page on the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., website (see "Resources").

Step 3
Complete the printed form(s) by hand. You must enter information such as your full name, marital status, country of citizenship, reason for visiting France and how you plan to support yourself during the short-term stay. According to the French Embassy, you can use only black ink, and you must include your phone numbers and email on the application form.

Step 4
Get one or two recent 1.4-by-1.7-inch photographs of yourself, as stipulated on the "Number of Application Forms and Photographs for a Short Stay Visa" page on the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., website (see "Resources"). The number of photos required by the French Embassy varies by an applicant's country of citizenship. According to the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., your face must be in 70 to 80 percent of each photo, and you must take the photos against a white background.

Step 5
Get bank statements for all your bank accounts you own, showing your banking history for the last three months. The French Embassy suggests that you have at least $100 per day for the entire duration of your intended stay in France. According to the French Embassy, "bank statements must show the name and address of owner(s)" and "an electronic print out update of each bank account, from the last statement up to the day of your appointment at the visa section, is also required."

Step 6
Get proof of residence by obtaining copies of both your state-issued driver's license and a utility bill or lease agreement. These documents must clearly show your current mailing address.

Step 7
Obtain proof of your valid U.S. resident status if you are not a U.S. citizen. Acceptable documents to meet this requirement include a copy of your valid U.S. visa or green card. According to the French Embassy, "the U.S. resident status should be still valid at least 3 months after the last day of stay in the shengen area."

Step 8
Obtain a proof of employment letter and an original copy of your last three pay stubs from your employer. The proof of employment letter must indicate that you will resume your employment returning from France. You must get a photocopy of each of these documents. If you are not employed and you are married, provide your marriage certificate and your spouse's proof of employment and pay stubs. If you are self-employed, provide your previous year's tax return and a bank statement indicating a three-month history of all bank accounts. Get a photocopy of this document.

Step 9
Get documented proof of your hotel reservation and tour registration if you are visiting France as a tourist. Your hotel reservation must indicate the address of the hotel you plan to stay in as well as the duration of your stay. Get a photocopy of this document.

Step 10
Obtain a letter of invitation from a French company if you are visiting France on business. The letter should indicate the purpose of your trip, details about your hotel arrangements and the location of the company. If your French contact did not make your hotel arrangements, you must provide proof of your hotel arrangements. Get a photocopy of this document.

Step 11
Get a letter from a French resident attesting to host you during your stay in France, if you are visiting friends or family in France. According to the French Embassy, the document must be certified at "the City Hall of the town he is living on a permanent basis in France" which can be done "by showing a proof of identity and 2 proofs of lodging (rental contract, and phone bill or power bill)."

Step 12
Pay the visa-processing fee by making a money order payable to "Consulate general of France." As of March 2011, this fee was $83. You may also pay the fee by cash or credit card at the embassy.

Step 13
Locate the French Consulate responsible for your state of residence by visiting the "Consulates of France in the U.S." page on the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., website (see "Resources").

Step 14
Click on your state on the map displayed; you should be redirected to the French Consulate website that is in charge of your state of residence.

Step 15
Click the U.S. flag on the top right-hand corner of the French Consulate website for English. This is important because most, if not all, French Consulate websites are in French by default.

Step 16
Click on the tab indicating your state of residence and then copy the address and phone number of your French Consulate office.

Step 17
Schedule an appointment with the French Consulate office by calling it directly. Some consulate offices may not require appointments.

Step 18
Visit the French Consulate on your scheduled date, bringing all the supporting documents you have gathered, including your valid passport. Since the procedure for visa approval may vary by consular office, ask the consular officer processing your case for the average visa processing times as well as the procedure for collecting your approved visa. You may need to return to the French Consulate to get your approved visa.