France, a destination on almost everyone’s bucket list, beckons with its rich history, culture, and picturesque landscapes. We turned this dream into reality during our UK trip, seizing the opportunity to visit the beautiful country next door. Drawing from our previous experience with the Schengen visa process through the Italian consulate, we embarked on the journey to obtain our French visas, and to our surprise, the process was swift, with our passports returned within 24 hours.
Here are the steps we followed:
Documentation:
Copy and original of Passport and US Visa/Green Card
Passport size photographs (2X2)
Pay stubs – 3 Months
Bank statement – 3 months
Employment letter
Medical Insurance certificate
Address proof for the current address (Driver’s license, Utility bill, etc.)
Marriage certificate (if required), original and copy
Birth Certificate for the baby (if required), original and copy
Booking details (round trip flight, train, and hotel)
Cover letter – Purpose of visit and details of the planned visit
Print of appointment slip
Return mailing envelope USPS, FedEx (Optional in case you want to pick up the passports)
Apply in person:
Create login and book an appointment from the consulate general of France website
Download the visitor visa form and fill in all relevant details.
Sign and affix the passport picture in the form
Visit the France consulate general office (San Francisco in our case) with the original passport(s) and all other documents.
Fingerprints will be taken at the consulate.
They will keep the form, photograph(s), copies of required documents, return mailing envelope, and original passport(s).
After payment (€60 per applicant), you will be provided with receipt(s).
Track the visa status here with the receipt number and DOB.
Some pointers:
Book your appointment 4-5 months in advance, especially if you’re applying in a busy consulate like SF.
Family form is available from May 2018 onward, allowing all family members to be added in a single form and book a single appointment slot.
If you’re unsure about the appointment date, it can be changed or canceled anytime. Ten days before your appointment, you’ll receive an email to confirm it.
Medical insurance is mandatory for traveling to any Schengen country.
They will scrutinize every aspect of your itinerary, including hotels, domestic flights, and trains.
Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment; the end-to-end process usually takes 15-20 minutes.
The validity of the visa starts from the date of travel mentioned in the form until the return date or up to 1 year, depending on your case.
To expedite the entire process, organize all your documents in order and highlight any necessary information (addresses, numbers, etc.).
Statistics:
Time taken to figure out how to apply: 1 weekend
Time taken to fill the application: 2 evenings
Biometrics/In-person visa interview: 20 minutes
End-to-end processing time after submitting passports: 24 hours
Visiting France is a dream come true, and we hope this guide helps you make your dream journey to this beautiful country a reality as well. Bon voyage! 👋
