Please read carefully the "General information" section prior to applying.
IMPORTANT: without a convention d’accueil, the researcher has to apply for a work permit (refer in this case to "work visa").
Yes, except if you are a citizen of Switzerland, Andorra, Vatican, San Marino, Monaco or of the European Union.
For stays of 90 days or below, US citizen holders of a "convention d’accueil" do not need any visa (but they need to present a validated convention d’accueil when they cross the border) : this situation is now included in the visa waiver program.
The applicant has to apply for the visa and should obtain it in his/her country of residence before arriving in France.
The visa section is open to the public on an appointment basis, with no walk-ins allowed.
Personal appearance at the Consulate is mandatory. All applicants must first schedule an appointment.
The General Consulate in Washington DC will only accept applications from residents/students of one of the following States : Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia. Residents/students from other States must check what is the relevant Consulate. To know where to apply, click here.
Click here to make an appointment in Washington DC
A processing time of 2 to 3 weeks is now required. Applications cannot be processed more than 3 months ahead of time.
| You have to apply with all the required documents in original and one copy. The visa section does not make any copies.
Note that the personal appearance is required. Application by mail will be declined. |
Passport valid for a period of 3 months after the last day of stay (+ 1 copy of the identification page).
2 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.
A proof of your address (in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia). The General Consulate in Washington DC will only accept applications from residents/students of one of the following States : Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia. Residents/students from other States must check what is the relevant Consulate. To know where to apply, click here.
OR
A proof of resident status in the US ( green card, valid US visa along with a copy of valid I-20 or valid I-AP66, visas…), if you are not an American citizen.
Processing fees, depending on the length of the stay: payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard), money-order made out to "Consulate general of France" or certified checks. No personal checks or cash.
Original of the "Convention d’accueil pour scientifique chercheur" (+ 2 copies). The "convention" has to be issued by a French organization and has to be stamped by the prefecture depending on the address of this organization. Please note that a former version of this document, named "Protocole d’accueil" is no longer valid and will be rejected.
a self-addressed prepaid EXPRESS MAIL envelope from the US POST OFFICE ONLY.
Please fill out the mailing label as follows :
FROM: Your full name Your address
TO: Your full name Your address
Passport valid for a period of 3 months after the last day of stay (+ 1 copy of the identification page).
Please print in black. Indicate your phone numbers and e-mail.
2 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.
