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France visa

Europe · Western Europe

Prepare your visa application for France: choose the procedure according to your passport, territory, purpose and length of stay. France-Visas lets you check the requirements, complete the form and find the submission centre. This guide helps you prepare documents, plan for fees and follow the formalities after the decision.

Updated on 18 October 2026 · Official sources consulted on 18 October 2026

At a glance

Authority
Ministry of the Interior and Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs — France
Submission channel
Application entered online on France-Visas, then file submitted by appointment at the consulate or, most often, at an external provider
Online procedure and appointment
Online entry prepares the file. Submission and biometrics follow the consulate's instructions; a waiver of in-person attendance may apply depending on data already collected.
Territory and stay
Metropolitan France, overseas territories and transit have distinct rules. Also check the residence permit or visa you already hold.

Do you need a visa?

Albania passport: no visa needed for up to 90 days for a short tourist stay.

For a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport. To work, study or stay longer, the rules are different: check your situation.

Good to know

90 days per period of 180 days (Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, consolidated version of 30.12.2025). Exemption reserved for holders of biometric passports.

Official source: EUR-Lex — Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, Annexes I and II (consolidated version of 30.12.2025)EUR-Lex — Règlement (UE) 2018/1806, annexes I et II (version consolidée du 30.12.2025) (new tab) Verified on 24 September 2026

All destinations for this nationality

VisaGuideline helps you prepare your application. The decision belongs to the country’s authority: check the official page before paying or applying.

France visa: who needs one?

Based on the verified entry rules, for a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport.

Visa exemption 60

List of nationalities

Visa required 104

List of nationalities

Information not available 7

List of nationalities

A nationality missing from this list does not establish a visa exemption. Consult the official authority.

Documented visa types

Short-stay visa (uniform Schengen)
For transit or a stay of at most 90 days over any 180-day period, depending on the entries and duration shown. Purposes cited: tourism, business, family visits. Exemption depends on nationality and situation. Official page (new tab)
Long-stay visa
For more than 90 days, unless exempt due to your nationality or situation. Valid from 3 months to 1 year. Arrival formalities depend on the visa: VLS-TS, residence permit to request, or temporary VLS-T. Exemptions in metropolitan France do not automatically extend overseas. Official page (new tab)
Airport transit visa (VTA)
For staying in the international zone during a stopover between two destinations outside the Schengen area. Single, double and multiple types; it does not authorise entry into the Schengen area. Requirement and exemptions vary by passport, nationality and itinerary. Official page (new tab)
Visa for French territories outside Europe
The Schengen visa does not cover these territories. A specific visa is required if the traveller is subject to it; exemptions exist depending on the territory, nationality and permit held. A trip combining overseas and European France may therefore require two visas. Official page (new tab)

Where and how to submit the application

The application starts on France-Visas. France must be the sole or main destination of the Schengen trip, according to its duration or purpose. If no main destination can be determined, the country of first entry is competent. The provider may receive the file, but the consulate remains responsible for processing and the decision.

In principle, submit in your country of legal residence. A submission during a stay in another country may be examined if you explain why the application could not be made at your place of residence, for example due to an unforeseen event. The submission country page specifies appointments, special cases, fees and payment methods.

Procedure steps

  1. Find out: check whether a visa is required, the supporting documents and applicable fee, then the competent body.
  2. Complete the online application with the travel document, photographs and documents suited to the purpose of stay.
  3. Book an appointment allowing for processing time. For a short stay, apply in principle no earlier than 6 months and at least 15 days before travel; also allow time to obtain an appointment.
  4. Present the file with the printed CERFA and receipt. Follow the centre's instructions for fees, handing in your passport and biometrics; a waiver of in-person attendance or reuse of data may apply.
  5. Track the application with the submission centre, then collect the passport upon notification; in some countries, postal delivery is possible.

Documents to prepare according to your application

The France-Visas assistant gives the tailored list. French translations may be requested for documents that are neither in French nor English. For studies, check whether the Études en France procedure applies to your country or territory; any digitalisation facilitates submission and does not replace it.

Fees and timeframes to plan for

As of 18 October 2026, France-Visas indicates a full fee of 90 EUR for a Schengen short stay and 99 EUR for a long stay. Reductions or exemptions exist according to applicant category; the student pathway may benefit from a particular fee. Overseas visas have their own fees. Visa fees are not refunded if the application is refused or withdrawn.

An external provider may charge separate service fees, varying by country and capped at 45 EUR per file. Optional services may be chargeable.

France-Visas generally announces a decision within 15 days, with examination possibly extending to 45 days in some cases. Timeframes vary by visa, nationality and necessary checks: this indication does not guarantee a timeframe for each long-stay application. Also allow for appointment availability.

After the decision

A notification invites you to collect the passport at the submission centre; in some countries, postal delivery is possible. A visa or exemption does not guarantee entry: border checks may request documents justifying purpose, resources, return and insurance as applicable.

Check the wording on the long-stay visa. A VLS-TS must be validated on ANEF within 3 months of arrival. A visa marked "residence permit to be requested within 2 months" requires a procedure with the prefecture within that period; minors have special rules. The temporary VLS-T follows its own conditions and must not be treated as a VLS-TS.

If refused, follow the remedies and deadlines in the notification. The prior appeal must be reasoned, written in French, signed and sent by post within 30 days: to the Deputy Director for Visas for a short stay, to the Appeals Commission (CRRV) for a long stay. It is mandatory before applying to the administrative judge. To stay longer, contact the prefecture if you are in France, or the competent consular services from abroad; extension is not automatic.

Prepare your application

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a visa to go to France?

This depends on the passport, nationality, territory, purpose and duration, as well as the residence permit or visa already held. Start with your nationality, then check your situation with the France-Visas assistant. A visa exemption does not give an automatic right of entry.

Can I apply on France-Visas for a trip to several Schengen countries?

The application falls under the sole or main destination country, assessed notably by the duration or purpose of the trip. If no main destination can be determined, the country of first entry is competent. The country of legal residence normally determines where you submit with that authority.

Is the entire application done remotely?

Online entry prepares the file; it does not replace submission according to the centre's instructions. Biometric data less than 59 months old may be reused depending on the case, and a waiver of in-person attendance may apply. Check your situation before missing an appointment. The digitalisation offered to some students facilitates submission.

What budget and timeframe should I plan for?

The full fee indicated as of 18 October 2026 is 90 EUR for a Schengen short stay and 99 EUR for a long stay, with reductions or exemptions depending on the case. Any service fees are separate. The usual announced timeframe of 15 days, possibly up to 45 days, is not a guarantee: check the pathway and plan the appointment ahead.

Is the Schengen visa enough for French overseas territories?

It does not cover French territories outside the Schengen area. However, a specific visa is required only if you are subject to it: exemptions exist depending on the territory, nationality and permit held. A trip combining metropolitan France and overseas territories may require separate visas; check each destination.

What formalities apply after arriving with a long-stay visa?

Read the wording on the visa. A VLS-TS must be validated on ANEF within 3 months. A visa marked "residence permit to be requested within 2 months" requires the corresponding procedure with the prefecture; minors have special rules. A temporary VLS-T follows a separate regime. Consult the official page before any extension request.

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