Bear in mind that if you do find a job and an employer willing to sponsor you for a work visa, you will have to return to your home country to apply for a work visa before being allowed to return to France.
If you are looking for a job,
- You will need to apply for a Tourist (‘Short Stay Visitor’, ‘Schengen’) visa.
- This visa is valid for 90 days.
- This visa is valid for multiple entries.
European regulations specify the list of countries whose nationals are exempt from visa requirement to enter the Schengen Area. Exempt from visa requirement for France’s territory in Europe are :
- citizens of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland
- nationals of the following countries, whatever the reason for their stay: Albania *, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina *, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Malaysia, Mauritius, Monaco, Nicaragua , New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Holy See, Seychelles, Taiwan (passport bearing identity card number), Uruguay, Montenegro*, FYROM* and Serbia* ;
- nationals of the following countries: Australia, Brazil, USA, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea Venezuela. If you are gainfully employed, the exemption only applies if you can produce a work permit ;
- holders of a valid residence permit for France ;
- holders of a residence permit issued by a state applying the Schengen Agreements ;
- holders of certain travel documents issued by an EU Member State ;
- holders of a British National (Overseas) passport.
*bearers of biometric passports only
Required documents
- Passport valid for at least three months beyond the applicant’s last day of stay in the Schengen states. Please make sure your passport has a blank page to affix the visa (plus one copy of the 5 first pages).
- 1 or 2 short stay application forms completely and clearly filled out. Please print in black. Indicate also your phone numbers and e-mail. Verify the number of forms by clicking here.
- 2 photographs. All photos must be recent, identical, passport size – 1,4″ x 1,7″ (3,5cm x 4,5cm) and showing face front the forehead hairline and ears on a white background, the face must take up 70-80% of the photograph.
- Reservation with detailed itinerary. The roundtrip airline tickets will be required only when the visa is issued (+ 1 copy).
- A letter from your insurance company stating that you will be covered for at least $ 50,000 during your stay in Europe for any medical and repatriation expenses (+ 1 copy).
- Proof of employment (for example, letter from the company stating continuing employment after the period of leave, and last payslip) (+ one copy).
- Depending on the purpose of the trip, one of the documents listed below :
- For tourism : Hotel reservation, proof of registration with an organized tour, attestation of accommodation (certificat d’hebergement), etc. (+ 1 copy) for the duration of your stay within the Schengen space.
- For business : official business invitation letter from a company in France (+ 1 copy).
- For private visit (family or friends) : Attestation of accommodation (certificat d’hebergement) (+ 1 copy). Your host in France can obtain this document at the City Hall, by showing proof of identity and 2 proofs of lodging (rental contract, and phone bill or power bill, for example).
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of your stay: 2 most recent bank statements (+ 1 copy), travellers checks if visiting the United States, 100 dollars per day are suggested. For business: letter from the employer indicating the name and address of the companies in France, and guaranteeing the travel expenses (+1 copy).
- For a minor, if travelling alone, a notarized parental authorization signed by both parents or guardian. If the minor travels with 1 parent, a notarized parental authorization signed by the 2nd parent is required (+ 1 copy).
- Processing fees : payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) (especially for applications sent by mail) or money-order made out to “Consulate general of France” or certified checks. Cash is accepted only if you apply in person. No personal checks.
Dependents must apply for their own visas.
