French Visa requirements for South Africans

Traveling to a new country is both exciting and daunting. Securing the appropriate visa is one of the most crucial aspects to consider before embarking on your journey. If you plan to visit France from South Africa, you must ensure you possess a valid visa before boarding your flight. This guide will delve into the visa application process for South Africans traveling to France. We will explore the various visa types available, the necessary documentation, and French visa requirements.

Visa options for South Africans traveling to France

There are several visa options for South Africans traveling to France. The most common types of visas include:

1. Tourist Visa: Designed for those seeking to explore France for leisure and tourism. You can apply for either a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, allowing a stay of up to 90 days.
2. Business Visa: South African citizens traveling to France for business purposes can apply for a business visa, which permits a 90-day stay within a 3-month period.
3. Digital Nomad Visa: This unique visa category enables individuals to lead a digital nomadic lifestyle while living and working in a foreign country. South Africans can apply for this visa to stay in France for up to 90 days.

Although you can apply for different types of visas for France, all visa options fall under the short-stay or long-stay category.

What is the difference between short-stay and long-stay visas for France?

Short-stay visas

For stays in France lasting up to 3 months, unless you qualify for an exemption, you must apply for a short-stay visa. This type of visa is issued for various purposes, including:

1. Tourist visits.
2. Pleasure, family, or personal visits.
3. Business trips.
4. Short courses or internships.
5. Engaging in paid employment, subject to specific conditions. However, it does not permit the visa holder to establish long-term residency in France or bring their family along. Additionally, paid employment is limited to the mentioned situations.

The typical short-stay visa, often referred to as a ‘uniform stay visa’ or ‘type C Schengen visa,’ also grants the holder the freedom to move within all 26 Schengen countries. It’s essential to note that short-stay visas are single-entry only, meaning that once the holder exits the Schengen Area, they cannot re-enter until a waiting period of 180 days from their initial entry date has passed. There is an exception with the multiple-entry short-stay visa, known as the travel visa, which allows the holder to enter France and travel within the Schengen Area for short stays, limited to 90 days within any 180-day period, over a specified period ranging from six months to five years.

Long-stay visas

A long-stay visa, equivalent to a residence permit (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour – VLS-TS), not only permits entry into France but also residence in the country for a duration of 3 to 12 months without the need for a separate residence permit application. This specific type of long-stay visa, the VLS-TS, grants an exemption from applying for a residence permit during the first year of residence in France. Valid for up to one year, it enables the visa holder to enter and live in France throughout its validity period, indicated by a sticker in the holder’s passport. After the initial year of residence, foreign nationals wishing to extend their stay in France must apply for a residence permit appropriate to their specific circumstances.

Documentation requirements for French visa applications

Before commencing your visa application, you must gather specific documents, collectively known as French visa requirements. These prerequisites vary depending on the chosen visa type. Here are the fundamental documents needed to apply for a French visa:

• Passport: A passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity.
• Email Address: An active email address electronically linked to your passport.
• Payment Method: Online payment means (PayPal account, debit card, or credit card) to cover the visa fee, including embassy charges and service fees.

Additionally, you’ll need supplementary supporting documents, including:

• A completed visa application form.
• Two passport photos.
• A valid return ticket.
• Evidence of accommodation in France (e.g., hotel booking or rental agreement).
• Proof of sufficient financial meas to support your stay in France.
• Travel insurance proof.

Additional documents may be necessary depending on your chosen visa category (e.g., employment proof or enrolment in a French institution for a student visa). It is advisable to consult the French embassy’s website for a full list of required documents before initiating the visa application.

Determining your visa type

The initial step in obtaining a Schengen visa, which is the visa you’ll need to visit France, is to identify the appropriate visa category. For short-term trips (up to 90 days), a Schengen visa is required, while extended stays (beyond 90 days) necessitate a National visa.

Completing the application for a French visa

Begin by creating an account on the visa application website and filling out the visa application form. Following application completion, schedule an appointment with Capago International and prepay the mandatory service fee.

Capago International is authorised to process French visa applications in South Africa. During your appointment, submit your passport and original documents to one of the three Capago centers in South Africa. Capago will review your application, collect the visa fee, and capture your biometric data (photo and fingerprints). Your application will then be forwarded to the French Consulate for processing.

Ensure you bring all necessary documents to the appointment, including:

• A completed visa application form.
• A valid passport (with at least three months’ validity beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area).
• A recent passport-sized photograph.
• Proof of travel arrangements.
• Proof of accommodation, such as hotel reservations.
• Evidence of financial means, such as bank statements.
• Proof of travel health insurance (Certificate of Insurance).

Only individuals with appointments can access the center, and accompanying persons must wait outside. Applicants under 12 years old are not permitted inside, as they are exempt from biometric data capture.

Schengen visa requirements for South Africans

If you plan to apply for a Schengen visa from South Africa, you must prepare the following documents:

South African passport

Provide your original passport along with a copy. Ensure it has a three-month validity period beyond your departure date from the Schengen area, contains at least two blank pages, and was issued within the last ten years.

Identity photographs

Include two identity photographs adhering to Schengen visa photo guidelines. The photos should have been taken within the last six months. The required number of photos may vary by country.

Civil status certificate

Submit civil status documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, family certificates, or death certificates if applicable.

Proof of accommodation

Present evidence of hotel bookings, Airbnb reservations, or arrangements to stay with a family member or friend.

Round-trip flight itinerary

Provide proof of a booked flight reservation from South Africa to the EU and back. Include internal flight tickets if relevant.

Travel health insurance

Furnish a travel health insurance certificate meeting Schengen travel insurance guideline, with medical coverage of €30,000 (equivalent to R 613,111.24 as of September 2023) for unexpected illnesses or injuries.

Proof of paid visa fee

Include a receipt confirming payment of the required visa fee, as your application won’t be processed without it.

Cover letter

Depending on your situation, you may need to submit a cover letter detailing why you’re applying for a visa, your planned activities during your stay, duration of your Schengen Area visit, and other relevant information.

Copies of previous Schengen visas (if applicable)

If you previously held a Schengen visa, provide copies of those permits.

Birth certificate and proof of parental consent (if applicable)

For minors applying for a Schengen visa, include their birth certificate and parental consent for travel if they are traveling alone or with only one parent/legal guardian. Both parents/legal guardians should sign the application form unless extenuating circumstances apply.

Proof of financial means

Submit original bank account statements from the last three to six months, showing transactions and account balance.

How long does it take to obtain a French visa?

The processing time for visa applications varies, determined by the French Embassy in Pretoria. It’s advisable to apply well in advance of your intended travel date to ensure timely processing. Depending on the visa type and the application volume, processing times can range from a few days to several weeks.

Please note that certain visa types may require longer processing times than others.

What if you are a family member of an EEA/EU national?

Family members of EEA/EU nationals or permanent residence permit holders must still apply for an entry visa to Schengen from South Africa. However, in your application, you should clearly state that you are traveling to the Schengen Area to join your family member or are traveling together. Close family members of EEA/EU nationals/residents may be exempt from paying the Schengen visa fee, but additional documentation proving family ties may be required.

These requirements are applicable to individuals who meet the definition of family members of EEA/EU nationals.

Final thoughts

Applying for a French visa from South Africa involves careful preparation of the necessary documents and adherence to specific guidelines. France is a remarkable destination, and with the right visa, you can explore its beauty and culture at your leisure. Plan your application well in advance to ensure a smooth and timely process.