5 Easy Steps to Apply for France Schengen Visa at French Consulate in NYC, New York

France is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and it has a lot to offer would-be visitors. The number of medieval villages and exciting cities is just the tip of the iceberg. Visit romantic Paris for its world-famous art houses, like the Louvre, or wander along the many streets in search of boulangeries and bistros. From the azure blue seas of the Riviera to the historical coast of Normandy and lots more in between, France is certainly a destination like no other. In this article learn more about how to apply for France Visa at the New York consulate, French visa appointment booking, Processing time at the French visa application center and France Visa Application Process at the NYC consulate.

Schengen Visa

A total of 3,685,404 French Schengen applications were received in 2017. The rejection rate was 13.64%. The Consulate General of France in New York contributed to this with 4,039 applications of which 3,952 were issued.

Applying for Schengen Visa from the United States

You’ve decided that you want to visit France, so you have to apply for a French Schengen visa. You can do this as long as you:

1. Are a non-US citizen
2. 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.

Wondering which French embassy or consulate to apply at? You should know that the Consulate General of France in New York is permanently closed and French Schengen visa applications are now dealt with by VFS Global.

Regardless of where you live, you can apply for your visa at any of the VFS Global centers across the US:

Atlanta

Boston

Chicago

Houston

Los Angeles

Miami

New York

San Francisco

Washington

The application must be completed on France-Visas website, but you have to submit your documents in person. If you live in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Bermuda, this can be done at the VFS Global center in New York.

Types of Schengen Visas Offered at the French Consulate in New York

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

There are also different categories of French Schengen visas depending on why you wish to travel to France. You should ensure that you apply for the correct one, otherwise, your application could be refused.

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 to establish:

1. Visa requirements
2. What fee to pay
3. The required documents

Step 2: Set up my online application

The next step is to set up your online application at France-Visas. In order to apply, you must create an account which you will need at every step of the process.

As you progress through the application, your information will be saved, so it’s easy to go back to it if you need to. You must complete the application in full. If you are unsure of what information is required, there are simple on-screen instructions.

At the end of this step, you should print off the application. You need to make sure all your information is correct before signing it. You’ll also receive an acknowledgement letter and a list of documents that you need to prepare. The next step is to book your appointment at VFS Global in New York.

Step 3: Booking an appointment

Go to the France-Visas website and click on “Submit your application”:

Click on your location:

Click on VFS Global centers and scroll down until your find VFS Global center in New York:

Click on “Book an appointment” and it will refer you to the appointment booking system. You’ll be asked to log on or, if it’s your first time using the system, you’ll need to register as a new user.

Please be aware that waiting times for appointments and processing times for applications can vary, depending on your nationality and type of visa applied for. You should apply well in advance of your trip, at least 15 days, but not more than 90 days, prior to your intended departure dates.

If you’re running short of time, then we can also help you book a visa appointment 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 the day arrives for your appointment at the VFS Global Center in New York, you should take note of the following things:

1. Have all of your documents to hand
2. Have originals and photocopies of everything
3. Arrive early
4. Dress smartly
5. Treat the interview seriously
6. Make a good impression

It’s extremely important that you adhere to this list. You must have all your paperwork with you, but arriving early, dressing smartly, and treating the interview seriously will ensure you make a good impression. Otherwise, it could seriously affect the decision made about your application.

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.

During your interview, you may be asked additional questions about your application. This is normal practice to allow the visa official to confirm you have genuine reasons for traveling to France. The only thing you need to do is to answer the questions honestly and as briefly as you can.

Some of the most common questions are:

1. Are you traveling with someone else?
2. Can you show me your bank statement
3. Is this your first trip to a Schengen area?
4. Do you pay income tax?
5. Have you ever traveled to other places?

Once the interview is over, you will receive a tracking number so you can check the progress of your application.

Tracking your visa

Tracking your French Schengen visa is easy with VFS Global’s tracking tool. All you need to do is input your tracking number.

With this tracking tool, you’ll be able to see if your passport is ready for collection. If it is, you can go to the visa center in New York or you can arrange for it to be sent to your home. If you want to have it sent to you, you’ll need to provide a self-addressed, pre-paid envelope at your interview.

All this may seem like a lot to do, but France-Visas’ online system is really easy to use and it saves time too. However, you still need to follow these 5 steps exactly. If you do, then you shouldn’t have any issues with getting your visa application accepted.

But, there are applications that do get rejected and some of the most common visa rejection reasons include:

1. Past or current criminal activity
2. False travel documents
3. Damaged passport
4. Lack of travel itinerary
5. Lack of financial means
6. No accommodation in France

The best way to ensure that your application is not rejected is to make sure you have all the required paperwork, completed in full and signed. 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 New York

Address: 145 West 45^th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036

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

The easiest way to get your French Schengen visa is to follow these 5 simple steps exactly, have all the necessary documents, and make a good impression at your interview. If all goes well, you can start to get ready for your trip of a lifetime to France.

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.