France is the most romantic place on earth for its beautiful architecture and monuments. Who doesn’t know Eiffel tower, the monument cherished by every couple. In fact, Paris in France is known for fashion and its big brands. Famous cuisines and wines make this place unique and lovely.
France is one of the schengen countries in Europe. If you are staying in Australia right now and planning on a trip to France, then this article is for you.
By end of this article, you will know how to apply for France visa from Australia, how to take an appointment, visa processing time etc.
Every year, large number of tourists and visitors visit France. This shows France issues visas without much hype provided the rules are met.
Who can apply for France Schengen Visa?
Australians are the most tourists who visit Europe every year, according to a study. If you are an Australian citizen or hold Australian passport, and you are likely to visit schengen country just for few days, then you can travel to schengen country France Visa-free.
However if you are just residing in Australia and not a citizen or do not have an Australian passport, then you need to apply for regular visa to travel to France.
**Please note: Even Australian citizens have to apply for ETIAS to travel to France starting from 1st January 2021**
Documents Needed
Even though you are an Australian and going to travel visa free into France, you need to still carry documents.
- Australian passport valid for at least three months
- Enough financial means to support yourself while you are there
- Other Schengen country documents if planning to visit other Schengen countries from France
- Purpose of Travel
Be ready to get questioned by border guard in case of anything that they wanted to know, and it is their final call on whether you should be permitted into the country or not.
For any reason, your entry into the country is denied, be prepared to return to Australia and may be you can apply for regular visa to travel into France.
Know the list of Schengen countries that Australian can travel visa-free, below:
Applying for a Schengen Visa in Australia?
If you are just residing in Australia and not a citizen or do not have an Australian passport, then you need to apply for regular visa to travel to France.
Also, Australian passport holders that have been rejected from entering Schengen Zone without a visa should apply for a Schengen visa.
If you are visiting only one Schengen country, then apply the visa at the embassy or consulate of the country you are intending to visit.
If you are visiting more than one Schengen country and are planning to spend same no. of days, then apply the visa at the embassy or consulate of the country where you will visit first.
If you are visiting more than one Schengen country and are planning to spend different no. of days, then apply the visa at the embassy or consulate of the country where you will spend longer time.
To go to France visa-free you need to meet the following criteria
If you are ever denied or rejected your entry into France for not having France visa but now you are an Australian citizen with Australian passport you can apply for visa-free for France.
If you are on a Permanent residency status in Australia or under temporary residency status, you may still apply for visa-free for France.
If you are residing in Australia on BVB (bridging) Visa, then you are not eligible to apply for visa-free to France.
Ensure you go through the criteria being set for visa free travelers of Australia into France and fulfill the entire requirement. In case you didn’t meet the criteria, to apply for French visa, you may go to France Consulate or Embassy or Authorized Visa center for visa.
Types of France visas
If you did not meet the criteria for visa free to France, then you may apply for any of these below three visas depending on your requirement.
Short stay visa, Long stay visa and Airport Transit visa are mainly three visas that France is offering.
Short Stay Visa: This visa is for those visiting family or friends, business or tourism, anything up to 90 days.
Long Stay Visa: If you travelling for studies to France, or employed or any family situations that requires over 90 days, then you will be issued with long stay visas.
Transit visas: For those who are having connecting flight via France or changing airports may apply for transit visa.
In Australia, visa applications to France are submitted and processed by the French Embassy in Canberra, French Consulate in Sydney and Greek consulate general in Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide. However again based on the type of visa you are applying for, it is handled by specific Australian city French consulates.
French Consulate in Sydney handles all types of Visas.
Greek consulate in Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth handles schengen visas only.
For official visiting visas are handled by French embassy in Canberra.
For long stay visas, French consulate in Sydney takes care.
What documents needed to apply for Schengen Visa?
Submit following documents to prove that you have no intention of remaining or illegally working in the territory, you have the financial capacity to maintain yourself during your stay and the real reason for your trip
- Visa application form
- Passport valid for at least three months
- Photos as per the requirements
- Cover Letter explaining why you wish to visit Schengen country, specify how you spend your time there
- Travel itinerary/Flight Itinerary/Flight reservation/Flight Confirmation/Dummy Flight Booking
- Enough financial means to support yourself while you are there – Show bank statements or Letter of Sponsorship by your host who will be covering all the expenses during your stay in Schengen Country
- Travel insurance with minimum coverage of €30.000. Usually travel insurance companies provide a letter for the consulate explaining in details about the coverage
- Proof of accommodation – Hotel Reservation or Invitation letter from a family member or a friend of yours who is providing you the accommodation during your stay in Schengen Country
- Other schengen country documents if planning a visit to other Schengen country from France
- Study documents, employment contract documents, and proof of pension, submit these documents in case of student visas, planning for work or residence permit into France.
Where in Australia you apply for Visa?
If you are confused whether you need a visa to travel to France from Australia, click on the link https://france-visas.gouv.fr/web/france-visas/ai-je-besoin-d-un-visa to check your eligibility.
On this official French government website you will find information of offices that are located across Australia. Depending on your place of residence in Australia and visa type, you will be advised where to go and apply for visa in case you need one.
For brief information related to Schengen consulates issuing visas depending on your place of residence check below:
ACT, Northern Territory, Tasmania and Queensland:
All types of visas can be processed at French consulate in Sydney and French embassy in Canberra for diplomatic passport holders.
Salomon Islands and Papua New Guinea:
- For short stay visas and Long stay visas: French consulate in Sydney
- For Diplomatic passports: French consulate in Canberra
Western Australia:
- For short stay visas : Greece Embassy in Perth
- For long stay visas & French overseas borders: French consulate in Sydney
- For Diplomatic passports: French Embassy, Canberra
Victoria:
- For short stay visas : Greece Embassy in Melbourne
- For long stay visas & French overseas borders: French Embassy in Sydney
- For Diplomatic passports: French Embassy in Canberra
New South Wales: for all types of visas, you may submit your application at French consulate in Sydney.
South Australia:
- For short stay visas : apply at Greece consulate in Adelaide
- For long stay visas & French overseas borders: French consulate in Sydney
- For Diplomatic passports: French Embassy in Canberra
Schengen visa fees for Australian residents and processing time:
It takes 10 days to process short stay visas and might even take longer, as long as 6 weeks in some cases, however for long term visas it might take 10 days to 2 months. In either case, it is advisable to apply for at least 15 days prior to your travel dates and at the maximum of 3 months too.
Steps to complete your application are given below:
Click on the link to open and apply for French visa https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en_US/web/france-visas/
Register to login and read the instruction for application carefully.
As soon as you’re done with your application, take a print out of the receipt of the application.
Ensure you carry this document along with other supporting documents to the visa office.
Book an appointment:
You can book an appointment with the consulate as per your current location online on their official website https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en_US/web/france-visas/
Check the available dates and book an appointment.
You will be asked further to fill the details like which consulate, the country you need appointment for.
Make payment for confirmation.
French visa cost same for all country residences, but here is what it may cost you:
For children under 6 years is free
Children between 6 – 12 years is 35 Euros
Adult cost 60 Euros
You will receive an email confirming your appointment details post successful payment.
For assistance you may contact us, we charge minimal fee for visa appointments.
On the day of appointment, attend interview prepared to answer honestly everything that’s matching to what you have given in the application.
Where can you get flight itinerary, hotel reservation and travel insurance
Flight Itinerary can be booked at https://www.schengenvisaitinerary.com/flight-itinerary-service-form.php
Hotel Reservation can be booked at https://www.schengenvisaitinerary.com/flight-itinerary-service-form.php
Travel Insurance can be booked at https://www.schengenvisaitinerary.com/flight-itinerary-service-form.php
You might encounter questions like this by the visa officer:
- Have you been to France or any schengen country before?
- Why do you want to travel now?
- How long you want to stay in France?
- How many times you have visited before?
- What are you doing in Australia now?
- Are you visiting to see anyone in France?
On your interview day with visa officer, you will have to give biometrics and pay visa fee by credit card.
Decision on your visa: Approved or Rejected
Post 10-15 days of wait for decision on your visa is pending; you will be either approved or rejected with visa to France.
You can track your visa application status online here, https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/VisaNET-Consultation-Internet/html/frameset/frameset.html
In the link, you need to input receipt number you were given at the time of appointment and your date of birth.
For approved visas, your visa will be attached in the passport.
For rejected visas, status will be out online.
What may cause the visa to get rejected?
- Photograph attached did not meet the photograph criteria.
- Failed to provide Invitation Letter in a case where you are invited by a person or a company.
- If the passport you are holding has 15 years validity on it, then you would have provided the same. Now-a-days you need to provide passport issued within 10 years time.
- Failing to show financial means of subsistence or insufficient proof of funds. Provide at least updated 3 months of bank statement.
For any further clarifications or free visa consultation, you may contact us.
Note: Some of the schengen countries have outsourced their services to other country consulates of schengen area. Ensure you check the schengen country official website whether you can apply with same consulate of the country or you need to submit your application to a different embassy for processing.