top Do I need a Schengen visa?

Chinese passport holders

All Chinese nationals must have a valid visa to enter the Schengen Area, regardless of the duration of their stay and no matter what kind of travel document they have, except if they have a valid residence permit which enables them to stay in the Schengen Area.

Nationals of other countries

Citizens of some countries are exempt from the requirement for a visa to enter the Schengen Area for a short stay or transit:

• Nationals of the European Economic Area: the EEA includes the 27 Member States of the European Union as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
• No visa is required for a short stay of less than 3 months as part of a trip for tourist or business purposes for citizens of some countries (click here for the list)
• The holders of a United Nations "laisser passer", whatever their nationality, blue or red are exempted from short-stay visas for:

-France metropolitan

-The DROM

-The CTOM

top Where can I apply for a visa?

Visa applications for France are now received by TLScontact , except for some categories that are still received by the Embassy of France in China directly (see Jurisdiction) .

You are required to submit your visa application at the TLScontact Application Center or the Consulate in charge of the province where you are currently living (see Territory jurisdiction).

• If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy or Consulate of this country.
• If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your longest stay.
• If you intend to visit several Schengen countries but do not have a main destination (i.e. the duration of your stay is very similar in all the different countries), you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country that is your first point of entry.

A visa application that is rejected by one of the Schengen countries is considered as being also rejected also by all the other Schengen countries. Schengen Embassies have set up an internal information system in order to automatically reject multiple applications.

top How do I apply for a visa?

To apply for a visa, you should first register on our website, and then follow the instructions provided. For more details about the procedure, please click here.

top When should I apply for a visa?

You may only submit your visa application 90 days before your date of departure. We recommend that you apply at least 20 working days before the date you wish to depart.

top What kind of visa do I need to apply for?

• Less than 90 days, see short stay visa.
• More than 90 days, see long stay visa.
• Transit-only and airport transit, see airport transit visa.

top Where can I get a visa application form?

Visa application forms (short stay and long stay) can be downloaded.

top What are the required documents for a visa?

In order to prepare all the documents required to apply for a visa, you should visit the website of the Embassy of France in China. Moreover, you have the opportunity to receive a personalized list of required documents, according to the purpose of your stay in France, as well as additional information by registering on our website. Please note that any additional document, which is not required in the basic list according to your type of visa, should also be translated into either English or French.

top Could the Consulate request me to provide additional documents?

the Consulate may request you to provide additional documents, according to your personal situation, even after you have submitted your application at TLScontact. Please note that any additional document, which is not required in the basic list according to your type of visa, should also be translated into English or French.

top What are the requirements for insurance?

Due to a regulation of the European Union (Decision 2004/17/CE of December 22nd 2003), there is a requirement to hold travel insurance, which is a compulsory document.

The travel insurance should be:

• Valid for Schengen area if you apply for short stay visa
• Valid for France if it is required in the document list and you apply for long stay visa
• Valid for DROM/CTOM according to your itinerary

Your travel insurance must be valid with a minimum cover of €30,000 in order to face any expenses that may arise in connection with your repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention or emergency hospital treatment. The travel insurance should fully cover the period of your stay in the Schengen Area.

top How can I renew my circulation visa?

The "circulation visa renewal" simplified procedure applies only if you have previously obtained a circulation visa on a normal passport. A child listed on a parent's passport cannot make an application for a circulation visa renewal, as the circulation visa must be stamped on an individual passport under in their own name. A circulation visa may be renewed within three months of its expiry date or up to one year after it has expired.

Please note that this simplified procedure does not apply if your previous circulation visa was stamped on a diplomatic passport, a service passport or a passport for public affairs.

top In which case do I need to provide the Attestation d'Accueil?

You have to provide an Attestation d'Accueil if you apply for a short stay visa and a friend or a relative will host you in an apartment or a house.

top What are the requirements for visa applications of domestic staff?

No visa for France can now be issued to domestic staff without the submission of an approval letter from the French labor office of the place of residence. Due to many observed abuses and the strengthening of regulations, TLScontact has been instructed not to accept any application that does not include this approval. No other documents or statement of convenience can be provided in lieu of this approval.

top How can I collect my passport?

Passports can be collected from Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:30 at TLScontact. When your passport is ready to be collected, you will be notified online on your personal account page and by SMS, informing you to come to the TLScontact center with your visa application checklist and the original and a copy of your identity card. If you chose to have your passport returned to you by EMS service, it will be sent directly to the address you have specified.

top Can TLScontact send me my passport by express mail?

TLScontact offers an express registered mail service, allowing you to receive your passport directly at your home or your office. Please inform us if you wish to use this service when you submit your application at our center.

top Can someone else pick up my passport for me?

You do not need to come in person to retrieve your passport, provided your representative brings:

• Your application checklist
• A copy of your ID card
• The original and a copy of your representative's ID card
• An authorization letter signed by the applicant

top Can someone else apply for a visa on my behalf?

No, tourist or other intermediary agencies are not permitted to submit documents at TLScontact for individual applicants. Every applicant must come in person, except for certain special cases specified by the the Embassy of France in China.

top What is the difference between a Schengen visa and a national visa?

A Schengen visa is a visa issued by one of the member countries of the Schengen Area and is valid for a short stay, limited to 90 days within a 6 months period, only for Schengen countries.

A national visa is only valid for a stay in the country that issued the visa.