French visa application documents must be prepared and submitted in accordance with current rules. Decisions and authority for French visa applications rest with the French consulate and the French embassy. Required documents for a French visa may vary depending on circumstances. The most important detail is that documents must be prepared according to the latest document checklist.
Visa decisions are typically communicated to applicants within 15 days. Therefore, it is important to submit the French visa application documents to the relevant consulate at least 15 days before the intended travel date. The documents applicants must prepare and submit depend on the purpose of travel; these requirements are outlined below for guidance. Documents must be complete, up-to-date, and submitted to the French consulate or embassy without omissions. Providing complete documentation is essential for the visa approval process.
What Common Documents Are Required for French Visa Applications?
Required documents for a French visa may differ, but the common documents requested for all visa types are:
- Fully and accurately completed visa application form.
- Visa request letter prepared in Turkish, English, or French.
- A company letter from the employer on company letterhead, signed by an authorized company official when applicable.
- Passport issued within the last 10 years. Passports must be in good condition and have at least two blank pages.
- Two biometric photographs, 35×45 mm, with a plain white background.
- Original signed and stamped payslips from the last three months.
- Personal bank account statement showing transactions dated within the last 15 days. Required balance may vary depending on trip duration.
- Documents proving travel reservations.
- Accommodation reservations covering the entire stay in France.
- Color-scanned national ID card.
- Full civil registry (family and address details) certificate.
What Documents Are Required for a French Tourist Visa?
Tourist applicants should complete the common document set for the relevant year and provide additional documents based on their employment status. Additional documents for employed applicants include:
- Current company documents.
- SGK employment registration and barcode service statement.
- Payslips.
- Bank account statement.
Documents required from business owners;
- Current company documents (e.g., activity certificate and tax registration document).
- BAĞKUR service statement (detailed).
- Personal bank account statements.
Documents required from civil servants;
- Official leave permission letter with wet signature and stamp.
- Photocopy of the civil servant’s ID card (front and back).
- Employment certificate issued by the institution.
- Payslips covering the last three years.
- Bank account statements and current balance.
Documents required for students;
- For students under 18: a notarized parental consent letter signed by the mother or father (original document required).
- Student certificate with wet signature and stamp.
- If the sponsor is an employer: a signed sponsorship letter on company letterhead addressed to the consulate, plus the employer’s BAĞKUR service statement, bank statements, full civil registry, and ID photocopy.
- If the sponsor is an employee: a letter from the sponsor’s employer confirming the sponsor’s position and a signed sponsorship letter, plus the sponsor’s 4A service statement, bank statements, full civil registry, and ID photocopy.
Retirees should include a copy of their retirement card and the relevant e-government document among the documents required for a French tourist visa. Farmers should add chamber-of-agriculture registration documents to their application files.
What Documents Are Required for a French Erasmus Visa?
Applicants for an Erasmus visa to France should submit the following to the French consulate:
- A long-term visa application form signed by the applicant.
- Original passport and photocopy issued within the last 10 years.
- Two biometric photographs.
- Diploma if graduated.
- Current student certificate.
- Parental consent letter for students under 18.
- Original ID and photocopy.
- Program enrollment or acceptance certificate.
- Proof of financial guarantee to cover educational expenses.
- Documentation of scholarship funding, if applicable.
- Proof of accommodation expense coverage.
- Travel health insurance.
- Hotel and flight reservation confirmations.
French Visa Application Form DOWNLOAD – English
French Visa Application Form DOWNLOAD – French
What Documents Are Required for a French Business Visa?
Current documents required for a French business visa include:
- Completed Schengen visa application form submitted by the applicant.
- Visa request letter prepared in Turkish and either French or English.
- Invitation letter on the inviting French company’s letterhead, signed and stamped (signature must belong to an authorized company representative).
- Passport in good condition with at least two blank pages, issued within the last 10 years.
- Two biometric photographs.
- Payslips for the last three months.
- Personal bank statements.
- Full civil registry certificate.
- Color-scanned national ID card.
What Documents Are Required for a French Work Visa?
Applicants for a French work visa must submit the following documents to the consulate:
- Passport valid for at least six months beyond the planned return date.
- Applicant’s identity document.
- Two recent biometric photographs.
- Residence permit where applicable.
- Work permit issued by the employer in France (sent directly to the consulate by the French employer).
What Documents Are Required for a French Seafarer Visa?
Documents required for a seafarer (mariner) visa application include:
- Fully and accurately completed French visa application form with current information.
- Visa request letter in English or French and Turkish.
- Passport.
- Two biometric photographs.
- Payslip.
- Personal bank account statement.
- Color-scanned national ID card (color scans are required for visa applications as of November 5, 2018).
- Original and photocopy of the applicant’s seafarer’s book (seafarer’s ID).
- Original employment contract with the ship or shipowner.
- Guarantee letter from the French company on company letterhead specifying applicant details and travel dates.
- Residence permit for foreign nationals, where applicable.
Important Information About French Visa Fees
Key points about French visa fees:
- Visa application fees are non-refundable in case of refusal.
- A visa fee covers only a single application process.
- Applicants whose visas are refused must pay the visa fee again for any new application.
French visa fees are applicable only to French visa applications.