1- Main features

A Schengen visa (or short stay visa) is valid within the whole Schengen space. The followings states are part of the Schengen space :

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,

and since December 21st, 2007 : Czeck Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

This visa allows you to go to these 24 countries. It is issued for a maximum of 90 days per semester.

Pays Schengen - Schengen states

2- Where do you have to apply for a Schengen visa ?

In order to know where you have to apply, please read carefully the following informations.

a) You have to apply with a French Consulate, if :

 You wish to go only to France ;
 You wish to travel to several Schengen States, but France is the country where you are going to spend most of the time of your trip ;
 You wish to travel to several Schengen States, with no main destination (the duration of your stay is strictly equal in each country), but France is your first point of entry.

NOTE : If you do not need a visa for the Schengen country of your main destination or first point of entry, please note that you may require a visa for other Schengen countries you wish to visit. You should then apply with the Embassy or Consulate of the country which does require a visa.

The visa is issued only by a Consulate of France if Monaco is the main destination.

b) You can apply with the French Consulate in Washington, DC only if you reside in one of the following states :

Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia.

If you do not reside in one of those states, you have to apply with another French Consulate, depending on where you live in the United states. To know where to apply, click here.

3- Do I need a Schengen visa to go to France ?

In order to know if you need a visa, check the official web site of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs :

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france_159/entering-france_2045/getting-visa_2046/index.html

4- Processing time

Processing time depends on your citizenship. All applicants are strongly advised to apply between one to three months before their departure. Extra care for appointments should be taken in the summer and winter months, as the planning may show up several weeks waiting time before finding a slot available. Even if visa may be issued on the same day, your departure should never be planned before 3 full weeks after the day you will come at the visa section for your appointment If you plan to leave earlier than 3 weeks after the day you have an appointment, you may need to reschedule your whole trip, if requested to come back to complete your supporting documentation.

Moreover, some nationals need a longer processing time. if you are a citizen or holder of a passport a country listed below:

 

Afghanistan	Algeria	Bahrain
Bangladesh	Belarus	Burma
Burundi	Congo DRC	Egypt
Guinea	Indonesia	Iran
Iraq	Jordan	Kuwait
Lebanon	Libya	Mali
Morocco	Niger	Nigeria
North Korea	Oman	Pakistan
Palestinians	Philippines	Qatar
Rwanda	Saudi Arabia	Somalia
Sudan	Suriname	Syria
Tunisia	United Arab Emirates	Vietnam
Yemen	Zimbabwe	US Re-entry permit
US Refugee travel document

 

need 15 to 20 business days (2 to 3 weeks) minimum processing time.

5- The different kinds of Schengen visas

a) The Transit visa : (visa type "B")

You apply for such a visa if you are traveling from a non-Schengen state to another non-Schengen state, through the territories of one or several Schengen states. It allows you to enter the schengen area to transfer between two different airport for example. (the "Transit Visa" is different from the "Airport Transit Visa", which doesn’t allow you to go out of international zone of the airport)

In such a situation, you have to hold, at the time you apply, the visa issued by the country of final destination, if needed.

This visa is valid for a maximum of 5 days. Requirements for this visa are strictly identical as the ones for the short stay schengen visa.

This visa is rarely issued and usually correspond to an absolute necessity, without any other trip plan possible.

b) The short stay visa (visa type "C") is issued for private, family or business visit in France for a maximum of 90 days and may be valid for one or multiple entries. It’s the main known schengen visa, issued for the majority of the trips.

c) The « circulation » visa is a short stay visa (type "C" valid for several short visits within one or several year(s). This visa is usually issued for business purposes to businessmen or tradesmen having an invitation letter from France, or for people having special interests in France (owner or shareholder of a company, deeds in France…). High qualification profiles may ask for this visa, but the immigration officer will determine if they qualify for it. (sole discretion of the consular administration)

6- Requirements

YOU HAVE TO APPLY WITH ALL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND A COPY OF EACH OF THEM. The visa section DOES NOT make any copies.   Note that the personal appearance is the basic rule, however you may send your application by certified mail. Please allow 3 to 4 weeks processing time for all visa applications submitted by mail.

 

Your personal situation should qualify you for the visa each time you apply for it. As personal situation may vary from an individual to another, and from time to time for the same individual, as well as the regulation for the visas, your visa may be different each time (or not granted). Previous grants of visas do no automatically qualify you for a renewal of the same or longer visa. A visa is never renewed or extended, each application is a new application. Your personal situation will be studied by the immigration officer each time you apply and the consular administration will determine if you qualify for a visa.

Please prepare carefully your visa application & supporting documentation. Any missing information may lead to a visa application declined, delayed or denied. Any missing or incomplete documentation will require you to make a new appointment and come another time at the visa section (and therefore expose you to reschedule your trip).

 Passport valid for at least three months beyond the applicant’s last day of stay in the Schengen states. Please make sure that :

• your passport has a minimum of two blank pages (to affix the visa and for border stamps). Only visa pages are valid, amendments pages cannot be used for visas or entry stamps.
• your passport is in good condition (any slight damage, even to the cover, can be considered as a compromission of the security of the travel document and declined at the visa section or at the border)
• your passport should also allow proper identification of the bearer without any doubt (for example, passports of adults with passport pictures in their young ages may not be accepted) The immigration officer of the visa section has full authority to accept or decline a passport that wouldn’t meet the requirements and request a renewed one before you can apply for a visa at the french consulate.

 Copy of ALL identification pages of your passport : identification, picture, date of expiration date or extensions, endorsement and amendment pages.

 1 or 2 short stay application forms completely and clearly filled out. Please print in black ink. Indicate also your phone numbers and e-mail. Verify the number of forms by clicking here.

 2 passport size photographs (more information about the photograph) . 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.

 proof of residence in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia : copy of your driver’s license + original and copy of a utility bill (water, electricity, resident phone, cable or rent slip), showing the name and address of the applicant. Any other situation is subject to review by the immigration officer of the visa section and may not make you illegible for a visa application until met (both requirements).

 For non American citizens, a proof of resident status in the USA (green card, valid US visa and copy of valid I-20 or valid I-AP66, visas…). The US residen status should be still valid at least 3 months after the last day of stay in the shengen area (+ one copy of the visa, green card or relevant document). Us pre-approval notices for US visas will be declined (only valid US visas affixed in your passport are accepted). Applications for a visa from holders of B1/B2 visas in the United States are not accepted. (they can only apply for an airport transit if needed, which will only allow these applicants in the international zone of the airport, no entry in the shengen area)

 If needed, the visa issued by the country of prior entry to the schengen state of final destination, and/or after the trip in the schengen area. (+ one copy).

 A self-made memo, summarizing all the information about your trip on a separate written or printed sheet (days of travel with transportation information, destinations, addresses of stay) (+one copy)

 Trip reservation with detailed itinerary. The roundtrip airline tickets may be required only when the visa is issued, but you have to show up an itinerary booking (airline company, or travel agency) when applying for the visa, with all these information : name of the traveler, airline carrier, places of origin an destination, flight number, days and hours. The trip should be from the US and back (or back to your home country). If you are visiting several Schengen countries at the same time, you have to provide all information about the means of transportation elected (ground transportation included) with bookings, days and hours of trip between the different countries. (+ 1 copy).

 A letter from your insurance company : stating that you will be covered outside the United States, for a coverage of at least $ 40.000, valid in Europe for medical emergencies, urgent care and repatriation expenses (+ 1 copy) (more information). Make sure that your insurance coverage letter will meet ALL the requirements and all information clearly shown (statements with "depending on the terms of the contract" or "generally, under the policies" for example are not sufficient). Insurance card by themselves are not sufficient. Full policies will not be studied. If you don’t succeed to get the required coverage letter from your insurance company, you can buy a specific insurance for the trip, several insurance companies are providing specific health insurances for the shengen visas.

 Proof of employment : letter from the company stating continuing employment after the period of leave and your last 3 payslip (+ one copy of each document). For unemployed spouses : marriage certificate + husband or wife’s ID + proof of employment of husband or wife, same as previously required (+ one copy of each document). For self employed : previous year Tax Return (+copy) + owned company detailled bank statements for the last 3 months. (+copies)

 Depending on the purpose of the trip , one of the 3 documents listed below :

• For tourism : Hotel reservation, proof of registration with an organized tour, etc.(+ 1 copy) for the duration of your stay within the Schengen area.
• For business : official business invitation letter from a company in France (+ 1 copy).
• For private visit (family or friends) : Attestation of accommodation (+ 1 copy). attestation of accommodation Your host in France must obtain this document at the City Hall of the town he is living on a permanent basis in France, by showing a proof of identity and 2 proofs of lodging (rental contract, and phone bill or power bill…). This document should also be presented as an original and a copy. Letters of invitations from hosts will be declined.

 Fundings for the trip and personal finances :

• for tourists and visitors : 3 last months bank statements, ALL bank accounts (checking, saving, money market…) you own or share in the US, with detailed transactions history and daily balance (+ 1 copy). Bank statements must show the name and address of owner(s). An electronic print out update of each bank account,s from the last statement up to the day of your appointment at the visa section, may be required. 100 dollars per day of stay are suggested. Bank accounts are subject to detailed review. Any incoming or outgoing transaction may be subject to inquiries and information. Corporate bank account or companies financial guarantee for tourism or private visits will not be accepted.
• for business travelers : letter from the employer indicating the name and address of the companies in France, and guaranteeing all travel expenses (+1 copy). business travelers are informed that even with a financial guarantee is presented, their own financial situation may be requested and studied (same requirement as tourists)

 For a minor, if traveling 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) (compulsory 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.

 

IMPORTANT : You can apply for a tourist or business visa by security mail under your own responsibility. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks processing time for all visa applications submitted by mail. If you do so, you have to send us the original passport, along with all the above mentionned (original + copy) documents. You also have to send a self-addressed pre-paid envelope (Express mail…), in order to get your passport back. This choice is made under the sole responsibility of the applicant. The General Consulate doesnt accept any liability for any damage or loss of any document.

 

REMARKS: The Consular Administration and the Immigration Officiers have full authority to appreciate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant. Note that the visa does not in itself grant you the right to enter a French territory. It is necessary that you carry all the original documents presented to obtain the visa with you at all times. Border authorities may request that you show them upon entry to France.

 

Other Schengen Consulates/Embassies in Washington D.C.

Embassy of Austria Consular Section 3524 International Court, NW, Washington DC 20008, (202) 895 6700 austrianembassy@washington.nu

Embassy of Belgium 3330 Garfield St., NW, Washington DC 20008, (202) 333 6900 washington@diplobel.org

Embassy of the Czeck Republic, 3900 Spring of Freedom St, NW, Washington DC 20008, (202) 274 9100, con_washington@embassy.mzv.cz

Embassy of Denmark 3200 Whitehaven St., NW, Washington DC 20008, (202) 234 4300 wasamb@um.dk

Estonian Embassy 2131 Massachussets Av. N.W. Washington DC 20008, (202) 588 0108, info@estemb.org

Embassy of Finland 3301 Massachusetts Av., NW, Washington DC 20008, (202) 298 5800 passi.was@formin.fi

Embassy of Germany, Consular Office, 4645 Reservoir Rd NW, Washington DC 20007-1998 ,(202) 298 4000 http://www.globescope.biz./germany/...

Embassy of Greece, Consular Office, 2217 Massachusetts Av. NW, Washington DC 20008, (202) 939 1306 consulate@greekembassy.org

Embassy of Hungary, Consular Section, 3910 Shoemaker St., NW, Washington DC 20008, (202) 362 6730, visa.was@kum.hu

Embassy of Iceland 1156 15th St, Suite 1200, NW, Washington DC 20005-1704, (202) 265 6653 icemb.wash@utn.stjr.is

Embassy of Italy, Consular Section, 3000 Whitehaven St. NW, Washington DC 20008 (202) 612 4423/4429 visti.washington@esteri.it

Embassy of Latvia, 2306 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington DC 20008, (202) 328.2840, embassy.usa@mfa.gov.lv

Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania, 2300 Clarendon Bvd, suite 302, Arlington, VA 22201 ( temporary address from December 1st, 2007), (202) 234.5860, info@ltembassyus.org

Embassy of the Grand-Duchy Luxembourg 2200 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington DC 20008, (202) 265 4171 washington.info@mae.etat.lu

Embassy of Malta, 2017 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington DC 20008, (202) 462 3611 christine.pace@gov.mt

The Royal Netherlands Embassy 4200 Linnean Ave. NW, Washington DC 20008, 1 877 388 2443 was-ca@minbuza.nl

The Royal Norwegian Embassy, Consular Section, 2720 34th St, NW, Washington DC 20008, (202) 944 8939 emb.washington@mfa.no

Embassy of the Republic of Poland Consular Division, 2224 Wyoming Ave, Washington DC 20008-3992, (202) 234 3800 ext.2201, polconsul.dc@verizon.net

Embassy of Portugal 2012 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington DC 20036, (202) 328 8610 embportwash@attglobal.net

Embassy of the Slovak Republic, 3523 International Court, NW, Washington DC 20008, (202) 237 1050, consul@slovakembassy-us.org

Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, 2410 California St, NW, Washington DC 20008, (202) 386 6601, vwa@gov.si

Embassy of Spain 2375 Pennsylvania Av., NW Washington DC 20037, (202) 728 2330 cog.washington@mae.es

Embassy of Sweden, 2900 K St., NW Washington DC 20007 (202) 467 2600 visa@foreign.ministry.se