Everything you need to know about the documents required for your France visa application.
Source: france-visas.gouv.fr
This receipt is generated when you complete and submit your visa application form online. It contains your application reference number and a summary of your request. You must print it and include it in your application.
The France-Visas application form must be printed, signed by hand, and dated on the page marked 'Signature of applicant'. If you made a mistake in the form, you must fill out a new one — no need to delete the old form or your account. Print the correct version and include it in your required documents.
If your French residence permit (titre de séjour) or passport has been stolen or lost, you must provide an official police report (déclaration de perte ou de vol) from the local authorities. This document proves that you have reported the incident and is required to justify the absence of the original document.
Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen area. It must have been issued within the last 10 years and contain at least 2 blank pages for visa stamps. A biometric passport contains an electronic chip with biometric information for identity authentication.
Photos must be recent and conform to reality. The photo should be between 35mm and 40mm wide. The face size should be 32 to 36mm (70-80% of the picture) from chin to forehead (excluding hair). Photos must meet ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) specifications.
For stays not exceeding 90 days, you must have valid travel insurance covering medical repatriation, emergency and hospital treatment. This insurance must be valid throughout the Schengen area for the duration of your stay. Minimum coverage of €30,000 including medical repatriation and emergency/hospital treatment is required.
If staying with a private host, the host must obtain an 'attestation d'accueil' (proof of accommodation) from their local town hall in France. You must have the original document as it needs to be stamped by the consulate and presented at border control. Hotel reservations or rental agreements are also accepted.
You must provide detailed bank statements for the last 3 months showing all transactions (not just the balance), as well as your last 3 pay slips. The bank statements should show regular income deposits matching your declared salary. Credit card statements or travellers cheques can supplement but do not replace bank statements.
A round-trip flight reservation or travel itinerary showing your entry and exit dates from the Schengen area. This helps verify the duration of your stay matches your visa application.
You need an official letter from your employer on company letterhead stating: that you are employed by the company, your position/title, your monthly or annual gross salary, that you have been granted leave from [start date] to [end date], and that you will resume your position upon return from France. The letter must be signed by your employer or HR department, dated, and stamped.
If visiting for business or staying with someone, a formal invitation letter may be required. For business trips, it should be on company letterhead. For personal visits, it accompanies the attestation d'accueil.
A Note Verbale is a formal diplomatic communication typically required for holders of official or diplomatic passports. It is issued by the sending government's embassy or an international organization to confirm the traveler's official capacity, the purpose of the trip, and that costs will be covered. It serves as a guarantee of the applicant's diplomatic or official status.
A certificate issued by a university or educational institution confirming your enrollment or acceptance into a study program. For study visas, this proves the academic purpose of your stay. It should mention the program name, duration, and dates.
A certified copy of your birth certificate may be required to establish your identity and family ties. For some visa types, it must be translated into French by a sworn translator and apostilled or legalized depending on your country of origin.
An official marriage certificate is needed to prove your marital status, particularly for family visit or reunification visas. It must be a certified copy, translated into French by a sworn translator if necessary.
A cover letter explains your travel plans in your own words: why you are visiting France, your planned itinerary, dates of stay, and ties to your home country that ensure your return. It complements the formal application form.
For business visa applications, a letter from your company or the inviting company in France explaining the business purpose, meetings planned, and who covers the expenses. A mission order from your employer authorizing the business trip may also be required.
If you are self-employed, you need to provide official business registration documents, tax returns, and recent income evidence to demonstrate your professional ties and financial capacity.
If the applicant is a minor (under 18) traveling without both parents, a signed authorization from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian is required, along with a copy of their ID and proof of parental authority.
Retired applicants should provide proof of their pension to demonstrate stable financial means. This includes pension statements or certificates from the relevant authority.
Providing copies of previous visas demonstrates your travel history and compliance with prior visa conditions. This helps establish your credibility as a traveler.
If you reside in a country different from your nationality, you must provide proof of legal residence such as a residence permit (titre de séjour), long-term visa, or equivalent document proving your legal right to reside in that country.
If a third party (family member, company, or organization) is financing your trip, they must provide a formal sponsorship letter along with proof of their financial capacity (bank statements, tax returns). The letter must clearly state the relationship and the extent of financial coverage.
For medical visa applications, a medical certificate from a doctor in your home country and/or a letter from a hospital in France confirming your medical appointment or treatment plan may be required.
A property title or deed can serve as proof of strong ties to your home country, reducing the risk of overstaying. It should be an official document showing your ownership of real estate.
The Livret de Famille is an official French document recording births, marriages, and deaths within a family. It may be required for family reunification or spouse visa applications to establish family relationships.
Tax returns or income tax notices (avis d'imposition) demonstrate your financial situation and compliance with tax obligations. They are particularly useful for self-employed applicants or as supplementary financial proof.
If the visa application involves minor children, you must provide documents proving their legal residence status in France. This may include a valid residence permit (titre de séjour) for the minor, a certificate of schooling (certificat de scolarité), and any relevant custody or guardianship documents. For minors born in France, a birth certificate may suffice along with proof of the parents' legal stay.