France is a popular travel destination for many Nigerians, with attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Palace of Versailles drawing visitors from around the world. However, getting a visa to France can be a complex and time-consuming process. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how Nigerians can get a visa to France.

Determine your visa type

Before you can begin the visa application process, you must first determine the type of visa you need. France offers several types of visas, including tourist visas, business visas, study visas, and transit visas. Each visa type has its own set of requirements, so it is important to carefully consider your purpose for travel and select the appropriate visa type.

Tourist visa: It enables you to visit France as a tourist. This type of visa does not allow a visitor to take up any job offer in Schengen countries. A single entry visa is usually issued to first timers. The French embassy determines the visa validity.

Business visa: This type of visa is issued to investors and travelers with the intention of visiting their business partners. This can also be issued to foreigners traveling to France for conference, short training/programme. You need an invitation from a host in France before you can apply for the business visa.

Student visa: For student visa, the prospective student must submit acceptance letter and all the necessary fees paid to the school. All applicants are advised to visit Alliance Française Lagos, Mike Adenuga Centre, 9, Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos for appointment and authentication before proceeding to VFS for biometric.

Airport Transit Visa (ATV): Airport transit visa is for those whose final destination is not in any of the Schengen area. For example, if your final destination is London, UK, and your flight would transit in France/Netherlands, you must apply for an ATV before your travel date. KLM and Air France require that every traveler must be in possession of ATV before boarding.

We have three types of airport transit visa (ATV)

    A one-way ATV: It allows one-way transit through a Schengen country.
    A return ATV: This type of ATV authorizes return airport transit through one or two Schengen countries;
    A multiple ATV: This authorizes several transits through one or more Schengen countries. For example, if your first leg is Air France (transit in France) from your home country to your final destination and your 2nd leg is KLM (transit in Netherlands) from your destination to your home country.

Please note that holders of ATVs are not allowed to enter the Schengen Area. If you have a connection between two airports in the Schengen Area, or if the airport through which you wish to enter the French territory is closed overnight for the duration of the transit, you are advised to apply for a short-stay Schengen visa.

Gather required documents

Once you have determined the type of visa you need, you will need to gather the required documents for your application. These may include:

Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay in France, and must have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.

Visa application form: You will need to complete a visa application form, which can be found on the website of the French embassy or consulate in Nigeria.

Photo: You will need to provide a recent passport-sized photo with your application.

Travel itinerary: You should provide details of your travel itinerary, including flight bookings and hotel reservations.

Proof of accommodation: If you are staying with friends or family in France, you will need to provide a letter of invitation from your host. If you are staying in a hotel, you will need to provide proof of your hotel booking.

Proof of financial means: You will need to provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in France, such as bank statements or proof of employment.

Travel insurance: You will need to provide proof of travel insurance that covers medical expenses and repatriation for the entire duration of your stay in France.

Additional documents: Depending on the purpose of your visit, you may need to provide additional documents such as a letter of employment, proof of enrolment in a course of study, or a business invitation letter.

NOTE: Visa applicants below the age of 18 must provide the following:

1. Birth certificate
2. Letter of consent from their parents
3. A copy of their parents’ passport photos

The french embassy in Nigeria processes all visa applicant through VFS (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/nga/en/fra/). VFS Global is the exclusive service provider for the Government of France, authorized to provide administrative support services to visa applicants in Nigeria

What To Bring when Attending VFS for a France Visa

    Your passport: this must be the same passport that was used during the online application.
    Debit or Credit card to pay the visa fee and service charge.
    The filled form and other France visa requirements as specified above.

France visa fees in Nigeria

    Short-Term visas for children between 0 – 5 years is free
    Short Term visa for children between 6 – 12 years costs 40 euros
    Short Term Visas for Adults costs 80 euros
    VFS service fee is 40 EUR per visa applicant

Schedule an appointment

You will need to select a date and time for your appointment and pay any applicable fees.

Attend your appointment

On the day of your appointment, you will need to arrive at the embassy or consulate on time and with all the required documents. You may also be required to provide biometric data, such as fingerprints and a digital photo.

During your appointment, a consular officer will review your application and may ask you additional questions about your travel plans and purpose of visit. If your application is approved, you will be given a visa.

Wait for your visa to be processed

After your appointment, you will need to wait for your visa to be processed. The processing time can vary depending on the type of visa and other factors, but it typically takes around two weeks.

Once your visa has been processed, you will be notified and can collect your passport with the visa stamp from the embassy or consulate.

Prepare for your trip

With your visa in hand, you are now ready to travel to France! Make sure to double-check your travel itinerary and ensure that you have all the necessary documents for your trip, such as your passport, travel insurance, and proof of accommodation.

Tips for a Successful Visa Application

Here are some tips to help ensure a successful visa application:

Apply early – It is recommended that you apply for your visa at least three months before your intended travel date to allow for processing time.

Be thorough – Make sure to carefully review the visa application requirements and provide all the required documents. Any missing or incomplete information can result in your application being rejected.

Be honest – Provide accurate information in your application. Any false or misleading information can result in your application being rejected and can also affect your ability to apply for visas in the future.

Follow up – Keep track of the status of your application and follow up with the embassy if necessary.

Be prepared – Make sure to have all the necessary documents and information on hand when you attend your appointment. This will help ensure a smooth and efficient process.

Conclusion

Obtaining a visa to France can seem like a daunting process, but with proper preparation and attention to detail, it can be a smooth and straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this article and paying attention to the requirements for your specific type of visa, you can successfully obtain a visa to France and enjoy all the amazing experiences that this country has to offer.