Visa to France
The visa to France falls into the category of Schengen visas, since France is one of the 24 countries that signed the Schengen agreement, once you obtain a Schengen visa you will be able to visit any of these 24 countries.
A Schengen visa should be obtained from the embassy of the country that will be your primary destination. If, for instance, the trip is planned only to France, the visa should be obtained from the French embassy. If, on the other hand the main destination is Spain, then the Schengen visa should be obtained from the Spanish Embassy or Consulate. In this latter case you cannot apply for a Schengen visa to the French Embassy. In order to obtain a visa to France you will need to submit the following documents:
- A foreign passport, valid for at least 3 more moth after the end of your trip;
- The original and the photocopies of the old passport (if applicable)
- 2 colored photographs 3,5x4,5 cm
- Photocopies of all the pages of the national passport
- A certificate from your employer with the address of the employer, a hone number, your position, and salary information
- A bank certificate showing that you have at least 50 Euros per person for each day of the trip or travel checks for a equivalent amount;
For the unemployed retired persons: a copy of the retirement certificate, also a certificate from the employer of one of the relatives indicating the position, salary, and signed agreement of sponsorship of the trip; it is recommended that you submit the copies of the documents that demonstrate any ownership rights that you have (car, real estate, etc);
For students: an original certificate from the school or university, a certificate from the employer of one of the parents indicating the position, salary and a signed agreement to sponsor the trip; in addition you will need to submit a copy of the birth certificate and a copy of the national passport;
For children under the age of 18, travelling with only one parent it is necessary to submit the approval of the second parent, translated into French; the original of the birth certificate or the national passport; For children under the age of 18 travelling without parents, it is necessary to submit a copy of the parents’ approval, notary certified, which transfers the parent responsibilities to the accompanying person or a permission to travel unaccompanied. In addition you will need to submit a French translation of all these documents plus the original of the birth certificate or national passport.
If the tourist is also the sponsor of other persons travelling with him/her, if such persons are unemployed – retired, housewives, or children travelling without their parents, then a sponsorship letter is necessary.
- An invitation (if applicable)
- A tour-from a tour company or a document demonstrating reservations and full payment for the hotel
- A private invitation from a French citizen, issued by the municipality of the city or town where the inviting person lives, or a Russian citizen with a long term residence in France
- A business invitation from a French company
