How Much Does a French Visa Cost?

If you're thinking about moving to France, one of the first questions you may have is: how much is a French visa going to cost?

The good news is that the visa itself may be less expensive than you think. The slightly more complicated answer is that the visa application fee is only one part of the overall cost of getting yourself legally established in France.

For anyone planning to live in France for more than 90 days, a long-stay visa will generally be required if their nationality does not give them an exemption. This applies to a number of different situations, including people retiring to France, those moving for work, students and people joining family members.

So, how much is the visa?

At the time of writing, the standard French visa application fee for a long-stay visa is €99.

If you're simply visiting France for a shorter period and need a short-stay Schengen visa, the standard application fee is €90. There are some circumstances where reduced fees or exemptions apply, so it is always worth checking your individual circumstances before applying.

It's also worth remembering that this is an application fee, rather than a guarantee that your visa will be granted. The fee is paid for the processing of your application and is generally not refunded if your application is refused or you withdraw it.

But that's not necessarily the whole cost

This is where things can become a little more complicated.

Depending on where you are applying from, you may have to submit your application through an external visa application centre. These centres can charge a separate service fee, and the French authorities state that this can vary depending on the country, although the service fee cannot exceed €45 per application. Optional services can also be available at an additional cost.

Then there are the other costs associated with putting together your application.

You may need to arrange suitable health insurance, obtain official documents, have documents translated where required, travel to your visa appointment and potentially pay for photographs, postage or other administrative requirements.

And, of course, if you're applying for a visa because you're planning to move to France, there are the much bigger financial considerations to think about too.

The visa is just the beginning

The cost of your French visa is relatively straightforward. Working out how much you need to move to France is a much bigger question.

You'll need to consider accommodation, moving your belongings, travel, healthcare, insurance, tax, property costs and your ongoing living expenses. Depending on the type of visa you're applying for, you'll also need to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself.

For example, someone applying for a long-stay visitor visa needs to provide evidence relating to their resources, accommodation and medical cover in France.

So, while €99 is the standard application fee for a long-stay French visa, don't make the mistake of thinking that €99 is the cost of moving to France.

The visa fee is simply one small piece of the puzzle.

If you're considering a new life in France, it's worth looking at the complete financial picture before you start the application. Knowing what you'll need, what documents you'll have to provide and what your ongoing costs could be will make the whole process much less daunting.

And remember, visa rules and fees can change, so always check the official France-Visas website for the latest information before submitting your application.