FAQs

 You may apply for your Schengen visa 3 months prior to your planned trip to France.

 All documents requested must be less than 1 month old.

 The Visa Section accepts e-confirmations of travel arrangements. Please ensure that the printout you provide shows your name, details of your reservation and proof of payment.

 All documents requested must be original. If not in French or English, they must be officially translated. This translation must be certified as a true copy (bear an official stamp of approval) by either your Embassy/ Consulate or by the legalisation bureau of the Foreign Office in GB.

 The Visa Section recommends visa nationals to conserve their hotel invoices to prove their earlier stay in France.

 You are advised to bring your expired passports (if applicable) when you lodge your visa application.

 I have a valid British residency. Do I need another visa to travel to France? As the UK is not part of the Schengen group of countries, you may need a Schengen visa to travel.

 My British residency/ passport expires soon. May I still be granted a visa?

A visa cannot be granted within the last 3 months of the residency/ passport and the French Consulate cannot disregard this Schengen legislation.

 I have a valid visa to reside in a Schengen country. Do I need another visa to travel to France?

No, as a resident in a Schengen country, you may travel freely within the Schengen space until the expiry date of your residency permit.

 Can I use my Schengen visa, issued by the French Consulate, to travel to Spain?

A Schengen visa allows its holder to travel freely within the Schengen Space. So, as long as you were granted a multiple entry Schengen visa and that it is still valid, you may travel to the other Schengen countries. However, please note that you should always apply at the consulate of your main destination, so ensure you do travel to France with the Schengen visa the French Consulate has issued you.

 Why does it take so long for some nationalities to obtain their Schengen visas?

Before issuing a Schengen visa, the French Consulate General must consult the other Schengen partners. Applications are forwarded to France for this consultation, a lengthy but compulsory procedure. Be advised that this consultation will occur every time you apply for a visa.

 Do I need to show my tickets to France when I come and apply for the visa?

Yes. Please ensure to leave plenty of time between the day you apply for your visa and your travel dates (but no more than 2 months) to allow for the processing delay.

 I am separated/ divorced from my child’s other parent. Which documents do I need to bring?

For child protection, the French Consulate General requires the child’s full Birth Certificate, your passport, your ex-partner’s passport or certified copy and a parental authorisation to travel form, completed and signed by both the parents or legal guardian authorising the child to travel. This letter should be duly authenticated by a solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths, or by a Consular Officer of the applicants’ nationality. You must also provide the address and length of your stay. If you have sole custody of the child, the French Consulate General requires the child’s full Birth Certificate, your own valid passport and the court order establishing custody. Those documents may also be asked at the border of entry, so please ensure you take them along.

 My child, under 18, is travelling to France with friends. Can he apply for his visa himself?

No, he/she will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult to lodge his Schengen visa application.

 I am applying for visas for my family, i.e. myself, my wife and my son. Do we all need to be present?

Children, under the age of 18, are not required to be present. Though, the consulate reserves the right to see any applicants if applicable.

  I have adopted a child who hasn’t got a British passport yet. Can I apply for a visa to travel to France on his /her behalf?

The French Consulate will only issue visas to children whose adoptions have been completed in the UK.

 My British residency is not stamped onto my passport but it is on a loose sheet. Can I still apply for a visa?

As per the international practice, the UK visa must be endorsed in your actual passport or in the form of an identity card. However, if your residency stamp is in an expired passport, you may apply for your visa and travel as long as you produce both passports. Please ensure that the passport are attached.

 Can I use the European Health Insurance Card, issued by the N.H.S., in lieu of the medical travel insurance?

The EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance since it may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs. Be advised that if you take out an insurance valid for 4 days, your visa will be of 4 days so it is advisable to take out an annual cover policy. The insurance must be valid for all Schengen states. Your insurance must clearly state your full names as well as the duration of the cover.

If your bank account includes a travel insurance, please provide full details of the cover.

  I am going on a day trip. Do I need to provide a hotel booking?

Obviously no.

 I only started my new job 2 months ago so therefore cannot provide the pay slips for the last 3 months. Is that going to be a problem?

No, as long as the letter from your employer clearly states when you started work.

 Where can I get the Certificate of Board and Lodging?

This certificate, known as ’attestation d’accueil’, must be obtained by the person you are visiting in France from his/ her local town hall. It is a compulsory requirement for people applying for a visa to visit family or friends. The validity of the visa you may be granted will not exceed the dates stated by the certificate. Be advised that you must produce the original certificate as it needs to be officially stamped.

 I am in a relationship akin to marriage. My partner is British. May I apply as the spouse of an EU national?

The subject of the Civil Partnership - that came into effect in December 2005 in the UK - and the subsequent changes in regards to visa applications are still being discussed by the Schengen partners. The French Consulate has yet to receive new directives and can therefore not allow the gratuity of the visa administrative fees nor an alleged procedure.

 I am married to an European National but I have misplaced our marriage certificate/ my spouse’s passport/ my spouse’s passport is expired. Can I still apply for a visa as the spouse of an EU National?

 Note as from March 2009, The foreign spouse of a EU national (except French national) may enter France without visa if they are holding a valid travel document, a valid UK residence permit with the endorsement "family member of EEA national" and if they are meeting up or travelling with the EU national. If you do not meet the set criteria, you will need to apply for a visa to travel to France and both the spouse’s valid EU passport AND the marriage certificate are requested. However, you may apply for a short stay Schengen visa, i.e. pay the visa administrative fees and provide all requested documents (proof of activity, of financial means of support, of travel and of insurance).

 I am going to Andorra. Should I apply for my visa at the French or Spanish Consulate?

If you are flying to a French airport, then you should apply at the French Consulate.

 How long will the visa valid for? Can I get a visa that will allow me several trips to the Schengen area?

We are unable to predict the validity of the visa you may be granted before studying your application : the decision will be made by the visa officer on the day you apply.

  I have recently finished my studies/ looking for a job and as such, cannot provide an up-to-date letter from my university/ employer. Can I still apply for a visa?

Note that all applications are unique and depending on your particular circunstances. The decision will be made by the Visa Officer when you apply.