Unlike a full US citizen, who does not need a Schengen visa to visit France (though they need to do a pre-authorization called ETISAS), green card holders (including F1, i-20, H1B etc) will need a valid France Schengen visa for Green card holders before traveling. But how to get one ?
It is not so easy as each Schengen country has it’s own process for applying Schengen visa. How to get an appointment ? What are the documents needed ? Where to apply for France Visa ? All these questions will be addressed here for applicants living in the US.
But if you want us to handle the hassle of applying for a visa, then you can use our excellent Schengen visa consultation. We have helped over 50k customers in the last 8 year in getting their visa approved.
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Can I apply for France Schengen visa in US itself or should I go back to my native country ?
Yes. You can apply for France Schengen visa in the US with either a consulate or a designated visa facilitation service who is responsible for your resident jurisdiction.
There is no need for you to go back to your home country for this.
Is France Schengen visa for Green card holders ?
Yes. The Schengen Area Free Movement Agreement states that your nationality (the country you hold a passport with) is considered more important than your country of resident. So if your country does not have a free movement agreement, you will need to get a France Schengen visa before visiting.
For example, if you have an Indian passport but live in the US, you will still need a Schengen visa to visit French because your country does not have a bilateral deal with Schengen states.
This applies to (e.g., Green Card holders; F1 (I-20), H1B, G1, J1, etc.) holders.
First, use the “Visa wizard” to check, based on your situation, whether you need a visa and if so, what type. The wizard will also tell you what documents must be enclosed with your application, along with the relevant fe
Do USA citizens need a visa for France to visit as a tourist ?
No. Americans can visit France for short-stay without a visa (less than 90 days) as a tourist, business, short studies like language classes, sporting events such as football or medical treatment.
But if you want stay for longer than 90 days, you need a long stay visa, for which you need visit the consulate directly.
Starting for 2024, All US citizens need to sign up for Etisas, which is an online travel permit to be applied before travelling to France (or any other Schengen country) and carry it to France with you .
Where to apply for France Schengen visa for Green card holders ?
The way you apply for France visa is a little confusing as you need to visit multiple website for the same. You will need to visit both France-visas as well as VFSGlobal to complete your visa process.
Visas are no longer issued by the French Consulate General in San Francisco. VFS Global is now the sole visa application service.
France-visas is the official website for applying for a French visa and is where you should go first for all of your visa-related needs.
Once you are here, You need to fill your France Visa Application, you will need to create a new account for each visa applicants. You will find tutorial on how to fill the document here below.
Note: Before you fill the form, you must have a soft copy of the support documents that you will be sending.
Once you have filled the form, you must complete payment for the same. Then take a copy of your visa application and submit it to VFSGlobal, who handles France visa in the United States.
Ofcourse, where to apply physically for your France Schengen visa depends on your current jurisdiction. There are 10 locations within US where you can do so:
Apply for France Schengen visa – Atalanta
Apply for France Schengen visa. – Boston
France visa in Chicago
If applying for France Schengen visa from Houston
If applying for France visa in Los Angeles
If applying for France Visa in Miami
Applying for France Visa from New York
Apply for France visa in San Francisco
Apply for France Schengen visa in Seattle
Applying for France Schengen visa in Washington
The next step is to book your France visa appointment with the right jurisdiction.
Documents for France Schengen visa for Green Card Holders
France Visa Application Form
As mentioned earlier, France Schengen visa from must be filled online on the portal. (https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/visa-wizard#/) You will also need to pay EUR 80 for your visa application and download. To know how to fill your visa form then you can visit here
Round Trip Flight Itinerary/Ticket
Don’t buy a plane ticket with full payment until your visa is accepted. If your visa is turned down, this could be unsafe. To get a visa instead, you can use the flight itinerary. Once your visa is approved, you can book the real flight ticket.
- Arrival and departure from the Schengen area
- Departure and arrival to the United States of America
You can know more about flight itinerary for Schengen visa.
Schengen Travel Insurance
Certificate from the insurance company that lists the applicant’s name, the dates of coverage, the amount of coverage, and the minimum coverage of €30.000 or $50,000. There shouldn’t be any deductibles in the insurance. Click on the link below to get the right insurance.
Your insurance must also cover other countries that you plan to visit (if any) . Know more about insurance for France Schengen visa here.
Visa Letter for France Schengen visa
A visa letter (also known as cover letter ) is one of the most important documents you need to submit when applying for a Schengen visa as this is the first document that the France visa officer will read to understand your France visa application.
It is also the only place where you can personally talk to the visa consulate and convince them to accept your visa application.
- Document describing the planned programme (letter of presentation, reservation confirmation of an organised trip).
- Pre-booked round-trip ticket.
Know more about cover letter for France Schengen visa.
Letter from the employer or proof of business ownership / business license (if self employed). If retired, pension certificate. If student, certificate of enrolment.
Visa photo as per France Visa Requirements
The application must have a photo linked to it. A recent color picture that is passport-sized and taken against a light background with the person looking forward.
The photo should not show dark or reflective glasses or clothing that covers the oval shape of the face. Parents must not be in pictures of their babies and toddlers being held. Know more about France photo specifications
To know more about France visa photo Specification.
Passport
A valid passport that was issued less than 10 years ago, has at least two blank pages, and is valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen Area or, if you plan to stay for a long time, after the date on which the visa you are applying for expires. Make sure to send (scan) ALL PAGES of your trip document, including any pages with visas, entry and exit stamps, or other writing on them.
Please show proof of your legal standing if you are not a US citizen. This could be a green card, visa, and I94, or an endorsed I20 for F1 visa holders or an endorsed DS2019 for J1 visa holders. The name on the “travel endorsment” is good for one year and can’t expire before the date of return to the USA.
You need a verbale note if you have an official travel ticket.
Proof of Accommodation
You will need to prove that you have your proof of stay already arranged this can be in terms of hotel or hostel bookings for each and every country and city of your trip.
If you are staying with someone else then Original Invitation issued by the local police station proceeded by a Citizen or a Legal Resident of France needs to be submitted.
“Attestation d’accueil” (in case of accommodation by a private individual) or hotel reservation or certificate of ownership of real estate or lease agreement.
To know more about proof of accommodation for France Schengen Visa
Proof of your connection to America
As a green card holder, you must provide proof that you stay in the jurisdiction of the France consulate or visa application center accepted proofs are State ID, Drivers license, Housing Agreement or Student ID.
You must also provide your green card as proof of legal residence in US, F1 student visa along with I-20 form.
B1 or B2 visa holders cannot apply for visa in the US and must apply in their home country only.
Proof of Sustenance
You need to provide proof that you have money for the entire duration of this trip after you have booked the flight & accommodation for the whole trip. You must at least show USD $115/day per person for the stay in the Schengen area.
Valid proofs can be one of bank statements for the last 3 months or latest credit card statement. Valid proof of incomes are salary slips for atleast 3 months, registration letter from school, latest IT return or a letter from the secretary of state, joint bank statements or a leave letter from your current employer.
Some additional document may be needed if you are a minor or dependent
Who can Apply for France visa in United States ?
Individuals who hold citizenship in countries other than France and who primarily Spend time in France when visiting the Schengen area, namely those traveler’s whose main or exclusive purpose of travel inside Europe is France.
If the duration of stay is equivalent in both France and another Schengen country, then stay in the country you are applying first.
Where to book my appointment for France Schengen visa ?
You need to make your France visa appointment with the consulate who are in your jurisdiction. There are 10 branches in US. You can make your visa appointment online.
How long will it take to get my France visa approval ?
It usually takes 15 days at most to approved your France visa, but in worst cases it can take upto 45 days, particularly if you are requested to submit additional documents for your visa approval.
What happens on the day of the appointment for France visa for Green card holders ?
On the appointment day, your documents will be verified and by the VFS official and if any of the documents are not fine. for example you have got the wrong type of insurance or your photo will be of the wrong specification, you will be asked to get a new one from their in-house studio or experts (at an exorbitant price).
So it is important that you make no mistakes here and have the consultation of Schengen experts such as ourselves.
What to do if my France visa is Rejected ?
If your France visa is rejected, in theory, you can appeal the decision with the court or with the High Court Justice of France . But in reality, you need to understand what went wrong by analysing your visa rejection letter and re-apply for France visa.
Or you can try a new consulate but do note that the black mark will exist on your passport.
What are the types of France visa for green card holders one can apply ?
- France Transit Visa : If you are having a layover in one of the airports of France, then you may need to get a transit visa.
- France Tourist Visa : Want to backpack across the Alps of France ? Then you can get a tourist visa for a maximum period of 90 days.
- France Visitor visa : This visa if for those who have a relative or friend who is living in France.
- France Business visa : If you are attending any trade fair, meeting clients or engaging in any business related activity you need a business visa.
- France Diplomat visa : for official visits of national delegations or government officials.
- France Medical visa : If you want to get some surgery or medical treatment in France.
- France Student Visa : Enrolling in a university in France. Then you can get a student visa or study visa.
- France visa for Sports, Film Crew : If you are attending any football event or shooting a movie ? then you need to get a culture visa.
- France Spouse Visa : If you want to join your spouse who either is a citizen or has a work permit for
FAQ – France visa for green card holders
How to book an appointment for France visa for green card holders?
You will need to determine your jurisdiction for visa appointment and once that is done go to the respective subdomain on the VFS website and from there you will be able to make your appointment for France Schengen visa.
After that you will be given an appointment confirmation known as Appointment Request no.
Should you buy Flight & hotel bookings before my visa is approved ?
No. The consulate itself says that you need not buy travel tickets before your visa is approved.
We recommend that you do not purchase travel tickets until your visa has been approved. On the other hand, you may provide us with a reservation, a planned travel itinerary
Reference Links
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/
consulfrance.org/
https://travelvisabookings.com/france-visa-us-permanent-residents-greencard-holders/
https://blinkvisa.com/visa/france-tourist-visa-schengen-visa