French Consulate Boston – 6 Easy Steps to Apply for France Schengen Visa

Romantic evenings spent boating along the Seine or wandering the quaint streets in search of delicious cuisine. Discover chateaux and castles, impressive cathedrals, and historic monuments. Travel the land through thriving cities, verdant countryside, and spectacular beaches. Whatever is in store for you, France is one of those Schengen countries that will stay with you forever. In this article learn more about how to apply for France Visa at the French consulate in Boston, French visa appointment booking, Processing time at the French visa application center and France Visa Application Process at the Boston consulate.

Schengen Visa

A total of 3,685,404 French Schengen visas were applied for in 2017. Of these, 502,526 were refused to make the rejection rate 13.64%. The Consulate of France in Boston received 2,762 applications of which only 5 were not issued.

Applying for Schengen Visa from the United States

If you’re planning on visiting France, you’ll need to apply for a French Schengen visa. You can do this in the United States as long as you:

1. Are a non-US citizen
2. Are a permanent resident of the US
3. Do not hold a B1/B2 visa

If you have a B1/B2 visa you are only eligible for an Airport Transit visa which must be applied for in your home country.

You have to make sure you apply at the right France embassy and consulates. You should know that the French Consulate in Boston no longer processes visa applications. These have been outsourced to VFS Global who will deal with your application.

You are free to apply to the VFS Global Center in Boston if you live in the following areas:

– Massachusetts

– Maine

– New Hampshire

– Rhode Island

– Vermont

Your visa application must be completed on France-Visas website and you have to submit your documents in person to the visa application center in Boston

Types of Schengen Visas Offered at the French Consulate in Boston

There are 2 types of visa available:

1. Schengen visa – valid for a maximum of 90 days
2. Long-term or National visa – valid for more than 90 days

When you begin the application process, you should ensure you apply for the correct type of visa. There are a variety of visas depending on why you wish to travel to France.

a) Tourism – Vacation only

b) Professional Purpose – Business and/or employment, events, religious worker

c) Study – Study and/or training

d) Family purpose – Visit family

e) Medical – Receive medical treatment

f) Airport Transit Visa (ATV) – Change planes on French territory

Each of these visas can be:

1) Single entry – Maximum of 1 entry during 90 day period

2) Double entry – Maximum of 2 entries during the 90 day period

3) Multiple entry – Unlimited entries during the 90 day period

Schengen Visa Application Process at France-Visas

The process for applying for a French Schengen visa at France-Visas is simple. It’s very important that you follow each step to ensure that your application gets accepted.

Step 1: Gather information on your situation

To apply for a French Schengen visa at France-Visas, you must first use their visa wizard. You need to input:

1. Type of visa required
2. Where your passport was issued
3. Reason for travel
4. Duration of trip

The system will then let you know what documents you need to prepare and how much the fee is. You can then proceed to submit your online application.

Step 2: Set up my online application

Step 2 is to complete your application at France-Visas. In order to apply, you must begin by creating an account. Once you’ve done that, start to input your information into the system. It’s best to set aside enough time, so you can complete your application in one sitting, but if you can’t, you can save it and come back to it.

The online system for completing your application is simple to use, but there are on-screen instructions if you aren’t certain what information you need to input.

Once you’ve finished, print off the application, acknowledgment letter, and list of required documents. The application form needs to be signed, but check all your information is correct before doing so. Now, you’re ready to book an appointment at the VFS Global application center in Boston.

Step 3: Booking an appointment

Go to the France-Visas website and click on “Submit your application”, then “Whom should I contact” and find VFS Global’s center in Boston:

Next, click on “Book an appointment” and it will take you to the appointment booking system where you’ll log on or create a new account.

When you’re booking your appointment, its best to allow enough time for your application to be processed. If the visa application center is busy, it may take a while to secure an appointment, so bear that in mind. Also, processing times for applications may be longer than anticipated. It really depends on your nationality and the type of visa you are applying for. The ideal time to apply is 15 to 90 days before your trip. Applications that are more than 90 days will not be accepted.

Making appointments with the embassy or visa application center is generally free and can be done yourself. However, If you are running short of time or not sure which consulate to apply to or have no idea on how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!

Step 4: Preparing your documents

Now, it’s time to get all of the required documentation ready in time for your appointment.

1) Fully completed and signed Schengen Visa application form

2) Passport

– In good condition

– Valid for 3 months after the trip

– Issued within the last 10 years.

– 2 free pages

3) Non-US resident visa/Residence card/I-94/I-20/I-797/Advance Parole/IAP66

Please note in addition to the above documents, all non-US citizens must provide proof of residence

4) 2 x recent photos

– Passport-size, 3.5 x 4.5 cm

– Not older than 6 months

– Close up of head and top of shoulders (face should take up 70%-80% of frame)

– Sharp focus and clear

– Good quality

5) Purpose of Stay

– Pre-booked round-trip ticket

– Trip itineraries

– Invitation letter

– Employment contract/internship agreement

– Proof of student registration

– Medical certificate/Proof of medical cost payment and/or insurance cover /Sworn affidavit for the responsibility of additional costs/Agreement of hospital admission

– Proof of event participation

6) Travel Health Insurance

– €30,000 to cover medical emergencies and repatriation

7) Proof of accommodation

– Hotel reservation and/or proof of sufficient funds (€120 per day)

– Lease

8) Proof of funds

– 3 months bank statements

– 3 months payslips

– Income tax return or proof of previous financial activity

– Scholarship details

– Sponsor letter

9) Socio-professional situation

– Employed: Employer letter and/or proof of business

– Self-employed: Business license

– Students: Certificate of attendance

– Retired: Pension certificate

10) Birth and/or marriage certificate

If you’re planning to obtain your flight reservation for visa without paying for the ticket, all you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:

1. Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
2. Submit the travel details and make the payment online
3. Receive flight itinerary in email

Step 5: Submit your application

When you go to the VFS Global Center in Boston for your appointment, spend a few minutes making sure you have everything to hand. You need to provide original documents as well as photocopies, so check that you have done that before you get to the center.

Your main aim of the interview is to ensure that your application is accepted, so it’s a good idea to arrive early and dress as if you were at a job interview. Treat this part of the process seriously and this will score you points with the visa official.

You may also be required to provide biometric data which includes a photo and fingerprints and you will have to pay the necessary fee:

There is an additional fee of $29.79 charged by the VFS Visa Application Center which you will have to pay when you submit your documents.

It’s usual that you may be questioned further by the visa officer. This is simply to confirm what you have stated in your application, to ensure you are trustworthy and will return home after your trip. Be forthright and open when you answer the questions and remain calm throughout.

Some of the most common questions are:

1. How do we know you will return home after your trip?
2. How long are you going to stay?
3. How long have you worked for this company?
4. How many employees do you have?
5. How much is your salary?

At the end of the interview, take a few breaths. There is nothing more you can do except wait for the decision. You’ll be given a tracking number so you can keep updated on what stage your application is at.

Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!

Step 6: Tracking your visa

Use VFS Global’s tracking tool to track your visa and find out when your passport is ready for collection. You have the choice of picking it up from the visa center in Boston or you it can be sent through the mail. If you want to have it sent to you, you’ll need to provide a self-addressed, pre-paid envelope at your interview.

France-Visas’ online system is a simple and efficient way to apply for your French Schengen visa, but in order to have the best chance of your visa application being accepted, please do not stray from following these 5 steps exactly.

However, there are instances of visa applications being refused for some reason. Some common rejection causes include:

1. Invalid passport
2. The justification for the trip not established
3. Details not consistent
4. Insufficient funds
5. The accommodation has not been booked
6. No travel itinerary

To avoid these mistakes, all you need to do is to ensure you have all your paperwork in order, fully completed, signed, and photocopied. If your visa application is rejected you have the right to appeal the decision within 2 months.

Contact detail for the VFS Global Center in Boston

Address: 160 Federal Street, Floor 17, Boston, MA 02110

Email: info.franceusa@vfsglobal.com

Visa application call center: 1-212-784-6157/1-347-252-3055

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.

Conclusion

In order to get your French Schengen visa, follow these instructions, prepare your documents in plenty of time, and answer any additional questions to the best of your ability at the interview. If you do these things, then you shouldn’t have any problems and you’ll be flying off to France before you know it.

At Visa Reservation, we strive to simplify the visa process by providing free visa consultations, cover letter templates and no objection letter templates for our clients from US, UK, Canada, Philippines, India, China, UAE, Europe, Nigeria and globally. We also offer flight itinerary for visa, travel medical insurance, hotel reservations for visa and much more. To learn more about how we can help you with our visa services, please feel free to contact us today.

See Also

How To Apply for France Schengen Visa at French Consulate in New York
How To Apply for France Schengen Visa at French Consulate in Houston, Texas
How To Apply for France Schengen Visa at French Consulate in Chicago, Illinois
How To Apply for France Schengen Visa at French Consulate in San Francisco, California