France is a part of the Schengen Area. The country is famous among all travelers due to various reasons. For instance, a people-friendly economy, education system, important historical sites, and best cuisine.
Moreover, Pakistanis can travel to France which requires them to get a visa. One of the important elements of the process is to collect the supporting documents. Therefore, the following blog will help you identify the essential steps that you can take to apply for a France visa from Pakistan.
Quick Info
- Visa class: Depends on the purpose of your stay
- Details of the visa: Single, double, or multiple-entry
- Validity: Varies considering the visa type
- Minimum stay: Three months within one hundred and eighty days
- Application process: An in-person appointment required
- Documents needed: Passport, flight reservation, financial documents, accommodation, travel insurance
Are Pakistanis Required to Apply for a France Visa?
Yes. Pakistani citizens are required to get a visa to travel to France. The most common type of visa is a France Schengen visa which allows you to stay for up to 90 days in six months.
This is because France is a part of the Schengen Region, travelers can enter other Schengen countries without having a separate visa as this zone has zero internal border checks.
Unfortunately, Pakistanis cannot get an e-visa or visa on arrival in France so they must have a pre-approved permit to enter the country.
French Visa Types
Pakistanis have several visa types/options depending on their visit to the target country. Some of them have been discussed below.
Tourist visa
A French tourist visa allows you to travel to the host country for tourism or visiting purposes. As a result, you can explore the country and visit its tourist destinations for sightseeing or leisure reasons. Moreover, it is valid for up to three months.
Business visa
Traveling to France for short-term business activities requires you to apply for a business visa. Consequently, with this visa, you can attend business meetings, and conferences, or negotiate trade contracts. Surprisingly, this visa type also applies to temporary work assignments.
The maximum duration of stay is 90 days within 180 days.
Student visa
A student visa can be used for short and long-term study purposes. Therefore, you can apply for this visa if you want to continue your studies in any of the French educational institutes. Besides, the length of your stay on a student visa depends on the duration of the course/program.
Transit visa
A transit visa allows you to transit at the international airport zone when traveling to another destination country en route to France. This is necessary if you have to catch a connecting flight after waiting for a while.
A transit visa allows you to stay for almost 48 to 72 hours in the transit area.
Long-stay visa
Lastly, a long-stay visa is also known as a National or Type D visa. You can use it in case you want to stay longer for more than 90 days. Pakistani travelers can use a long-stay visa for various purposes such as work, family reunion, study, or retirement.
Mandatory Documents Needed to Apply for a France Visa from Pakistan
A France visa from Pakistan requires you to prepare the following supporting documents. Anyone who is traveling to the Schengen region is required to submit the standard documents mentioned below regardless of the visa type.
Passport
A passport is an official document issued by the Government of Pakistan. This travel paper allows you to travel to and from any country in the world. While submitting your Pakistani passport, make sure that it fulfills the following requirements.
- It should not be older than the last ten years.
- Your passport must have a validity period of at least six months ahead of your stay in the target country.
- Lastly, it must have two blank pages and be free from any signs of damage.
Visa application form
Completing a visa application form is one of the most important requirements of the process. Therefore, make sure to fill it out completely by including the requested information. Also, the information should be accurate as indicated in the rest of the documents.
CNIC
Moreover, Pakistani citizens are required to submit their CNIC issued by NADRA. This document is used to verify the nationality of the applicant.
Residence permit
If you belong to a third-world country but are residing in Pakistan for almost three months, you are supposed to submit a residence permit.
Photos
Furthermore, submit two passport-size pictures to the embassy for identification purposes. These photographs should be according to the French Immigration authorities.
For instance,
- Your picture should not be older than the last three months.
- Furthermore, it must cover 70-80% percent of your face and shoulders.
- Besides, it should be free from any watermark or spot.
Proof of accommodation
A France visa from Pakistan also requires you to show that you have a place of your own to live in the target country. For this purpose, you can submit various documents including,
- A hotel reservation
- A rental contract
- An invitation letter from the French host such as a friend or family member
Moreover, ensure that any of these documents contain the following information.
- The name of the place
- Address and phone number
- Duration of the stay
Read this detailed guide to learn about how to reserve a hotel.
Airline reservation
Another requirement of the French embassy is to have an airline reservation. This documented proof is vital to analyze the intention of the applicant to fly to the host country. However, it is important to note that before your visa is approved, do not purchase a real flight ticket.
In addition, proof of flight reservation can have the following details.
- Your first and last name
- Airline company name
- Flight number
- IATA codes
- 6-digit PNR
- Airport terminals
- Luggage weight
Read this step-by-step article to learn how to reserve a flight to France by saving thousands of dollars.
Cover letter
A well-drafted cover letter is a supporting document that will strengthen your application. Moreover, it is an important technique for introducing yourself to the processing authorities.
Therefore, you can present your case from a personal point of view. So, be sure to add vital details including the reason for visiting France, the duration of your stay, and the planned set of activities to convince the other party.
You can buy a well-crafted cover letter from travel experts at a minimal cost at coverletterforvisa.com.
Travel health insurance
A Schengen visa would be incomplete without travel health insurance. So, make sure to purchase an insurance policy from a reliable travel agency such as RFV Travels.
Besides, the policy should be valid for almost your entire stay in France. This is necessary to bear unexpected medical and travel expenses including surgery, accident, hospitalization, repatriation, evacuation, luggage loss, flight cancellation, etc.
Moreover, it should have a coverage amount of at least 30,000 to 45,000 euros or 132,154,78 PKR.
Proof of financial means
Another requirement is to show your financial resources to present that you can manage your expenses on your own without burdening the target country’s resources. For this purpose, you can submit documents such as a bank statement, salary slip, income tax return, or sponsorship letter if your trip is sponsored.
Moreover, you must have at least 100 euros or 29,368 PKR per day to cover costs related to food, transportation, and accommodation.
Character certificate
In addition, Pakistanis are also requested to submit a character certificate issued by the local police station. The document demonstrates that you are not involved in any criminal or illegal activity.
Visa payment receipt
Lastly, after depositing the visa fee, make sure to submit the payment receipt as proof that you have paid the specific amount.
How to Get a France Visa from Pakistan?
The application process for a France visa from Pakistan may consist of the following steps.
Step 1: Visit the French embassy
Firstly, make sure to visit the French Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan. They will be responsible for collecting your application along with the documents and conducting visa interviews.
Step 2: Select the visa type
The second step requires you to choose the most suitable visa type considering the purpose of your visit to the destination country. You can choose from the given list of available visas.
Step 3: Complete the application form
Then, complete the visa application form. Ensure to not leave any blank unfilled as it is one of the leading reasons for visa rejection. Fill in your personal details, flight information, and accommodation plans.
Step 4: Schedule an appointment
After that, visit the embassy to schedule an appointment. The given slot will help you provide your biometric data such as fingerprints and photos.
Step 5: Submit the application
Moreover, you can also submit your application on the same day. The authorities may ask you for a short visa interview.
Step 6: Deposit the fee
On the day of the appointment, you are required to pay the visa fee. This also depends on the chosen visa type based on the reason for traveling to France.
Step 7: Wait for the response
Then, wait for the processing time. The embassy officials will decide on your application by analyzing the given details. Meanwhile, you can also track your application.
Step 8: Collect your passport
Lastly, once your visa is approved, you can collect it from the same center or get it delivered through a courier service by paying an additional service charge.
France Schengen Visa Fee
The French Schengen visa fee depends on various factors including the age of the applicant, the visa type, and their nationality.
However, the standard visa fee that you need to pay is shown below.
| Visa type | Fee in Euros | Fee in Pakistani Rupees |
| Schengen visa | Adults over 12 years: 90 euros | Adults over 12 years: 26,431 PKR |
| Children between 6 & 12: 45 euros | Children between 6 & 12: 13,215 PKR | |
| Minors below 6: Free | Minors below 6: Free | |
| Transit visa | 80 euros | 23,494 PKR |
| Long-stay visa | 100 euros | 29,368 PKR |
French Visa Application Processing Time
Once you submit your documents, the embassy may take almost fifteen days to one month to process your application. However, in rare cases such as holidays or peak travel season, the standard processing time gets extended.
So, it is advisable to apply as early as you can to avoid potential delays during the process.
What Are the Possible Tips for a Smooth Application Process
The following tips may help you with a smooth application process.
- Make sure to create a checklist of all the documents required for your application to ensure that you do not forget anything.
- Furthermore, make sure that all the documents are according to the guidelines of the consulate before submitting them to the appropriate party. This will assist you in avoiding delays in visa processing.
- Lastly, never forget to add a cover letter with the rest of the documents. This will help you explain your travel intentions and plans and add transparency to your application.
Common Issues for Pakistanis Applying for a French Visa
Pakistani applicants may face numerous issues when applying for a French visa. Some of them are highlighted below.
- One of the most common challenges is securing an appointment with the embassy. Due to the higher number of applications, booking an appointment is difficult, leading to several weeks instead of days.
- Moreover, the restricted visa validity period is another typical issue faced by some applicants. Therefore, always double-check the information to ensure that it aligns with your intended travel dates.
- Lastly, financial independence is of utmost importance. Failing to provide financial documents such as bank statements or salary slips may prove to be challenging to complete the visa process.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it possible to extend my French Schengen visa?
Once you are in France, you cannot apply for an extension for a French Schengen visa. To stay longer than the normal 90-day limit, you can apply for a long-stay visa or a residency permit.
- What can I do if my visa application is rejected?
If the embassy rejects your French visa application, you have two options. For this purpose, you can either appeal the visa refusal decision through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France or reapply for a new visa by submitting additional supporting documents.
- Can Pakistanis apply for an e-visa or visa on arrival in France?
No. Pakistanis are not eligible to get an e-visa or visa on arrival in France. Therefore, they are supposed to apply for a paper visa through the embassy to enter the country legally.
Read Also: Finland Work Visa from Pakistan