Check first the list of countries whose citizens are not submitted to a short-stay visa to go to France. If your nationality does not appear on it, you need to apply for a visa before departure to France.

Procedure

A short stay visa does not allow you to stay more than 90 days per period of 6 months in the Schengen region.

With the exception of some very specific situations, the Consulate General of France's short stay visa is a Schengen visa, which means it covers you for the entire Schengen region. Click here for the list of Schengen countries.

You need only one visa, a Schengen visa, if you are visiting one or several of the Schengen countries for a total of 90 days or less.

However, you can only apply for a Schengen visa at the French Consulate if your main destination (the country where you will spend the longest time) is France. If you are spending the same amount of days in several Schengen countries, your application must be processed by the Consulate of the Schengen country of your first port of entry.

For applicants who travel frequently to France, a multiple entry visa valid to enter the Schengen region during one to five years, depending on the validity of the passport and the purpose of their trip , may be granted. Strict restrictions apply. Provide additional documents supporting this specific request.

Documents required

Please note that the photocopies as well as the originals are mandatory. If they are missing, your file will be considered incomplete. If for a special reason you don't have the original, submit two photocopies of the copy you have. We will stamp these documents and return them so that you can take them on the trip to France.

1) The following documents must be submitted in original only. They will be returned to you when the process is over. You must take them on the trip for immigration authorities and also in case police require to see them. These documents will prove your legal status in France.

one short stay visa application form.
The forms must be completely and neatly filled out. Do not leave anything blank. If there is something that does not apply to you, write N/A - for "not applicable". Don't forget to sign them and to glue one recent, original identity picture cut to the size indicated on the form. When your spouse and children under 18 years old are registered in your passport, only you and your spouse need to fill out visa application form. However, a recent picture of the children must be glued on the back of one of the parent's forms. Children applying with their own passport submit separate application form. The form must be signed by the parents or legal guardian who must also accompany the minor to the Consulate to apply. The parents or legal guardian must bring proper id (include photocopies of it when applying by mail).

your original passport. It must be valid for at least 3 months after the end of the planned journey. Make sure there are at least 2 empty pages left on it. If a minor (under 18 years old) needs to apply for a visa, he must present his/her own passport. A minor cannot apply with his parents passport (even if he/she has been registered on it) unless they are travelling together.

The original of your Permanent Resident Card. Write its number and validity on the visa application form section 18.

1 recent color photo, format 35mm x 45mm, with a clear plain background. The height must be between 31.5mm and 36mm from chin to crown. The person’s head must be full front view centered in the middle of the photograph. Photos with hat, caps, sunglasses, etc. will not be accepted nor digitized photos. This photo will be scanned in the visa.

2) The following documents must be submitted in original plus one photocopy of each per applicant (one set of xerox letter-sized photocopies per applicant. No thermal paper photocopies accepted.

supporting documents concerning the purpose of your trip :

• for business travelers: a letter from your company stating the reasons for sending you abroad and also a letter of invitation from the company you are going to visit in France. These two letters in addition to a flight reservation itinerary and the rest of the supporting documents;

• for tourists: a round-trip flight reservation itinerary and proof of organized tour (if applicable) with a list of the cities you will be visiting and the number of days you will spend on each one;

• others: a letter explaining the purpose of your visit (nannies accompanying their employer to France: job contract and/or T4 form; school trips: letter and itinerary from the school, financial guarantee letter from parents including letter from their bank and copy of signed id).

supporting documents concerning accommodation during your trip :

• reservations in a hotel or a similar establishment (faxed confirmation to you from the hotel stating the dates , the confirmation number, their name, address and telephone number). For hotel reservations: www.franceguide.com

• or a valid Youth Hostel card (photocopy it);

• if the applicant declares he will be lodged by a private individual or by a company, a proof of accommodation ("attestation d'accueil") certificate must be obtained by the person offering lodging in France, sent to you in original then submitted with your visa application. It can be obtained free of charge from the city hall ("mairie") or police station ("préfecture") nearest his/her place of residence in France. Faxed or e-mailed letters of invitation do not replace this document neither does it replace proof of financial resources.

supporting documents concerning financial resources:

• A letter from your bank (certificate of balance) stating that you have a minimum of $70.OO CAN ($35 if you have a Proof of Lodging certificate) per day of stay in France. Your full name and account number must appear on it. Bank books and monthly bank statements do not replace the certificate of balance letter from the bank.

IN ADDITION TO :

• an international credit card (write the name of the card -i.e. Visa, MasterCard- and the expiration date in section 21 of the application form. When applying by mail, send a photocopy).

• Or traveler's cheques. Bring them and the purchase receipt or submit photocopies of the traveler's cheques and the original receipt when applying by mail.

supporting documents concerning medical insurance :

• Excess emergency medical insurance (or proof of full international medical coverage) for the Schengen states. It can be purchased at any travel agency. Write the policy number in section 25 - Other information - of the visa application form and submit the policy brochure (original only, do not photocopy) and the receipt (photocopy) issued by the travel agency with your application. If your company provides you with this insurance, make sure to submit photocopy of the card with your name and policy number on it as well as the brochure with the terms, conditions and limits of the insurance.

Additional documents :

• A letter of employment stating how long your seniority, the dates you are allowed to be absent from the office and the date you are due back to work. Include the two latest salary statements in original plus copy.

• If you are self-employed, include the original and a photocopy (or two photocopies) of your business license and documents related to it showing your name.

• If you are a student, include a copy of your valid student card and/or letter from your school.

Fees

Click here for fees and instructions for payment.

Time process

Time to process a tourist visa depends on your nationality, even if you are a landed immigrant in Canada. It usually takes between 2 and 8 working days. For some nationalities it can take up to 15 working days. Applications can be made no longer than 3 months prior to departure to France. Send us an e-mail (or a fax) stating your nationality and your status in Canada asking us how long the process will take:
visas@consulfrance-vancouver.org

WARNING:

Your application may be refused or delayed. Do not buy an airplane ticket prior to obtaining confirmation that the visa will be issued.

Incomplete applications cannot be processed. The file will be returned or sent back by courier service at your own expense.

If you have questions after reading these instructions, the best way to reach the visa section is by fax 604.681.4287 or by e-mail:
visas@consulfrance-vancouver.org