What materials are needed to apply for a French tourist visa?

Required materials for visa application

1. For short-term visa (Category C) application, please refer to "Schengen Visa".

2. Long-term visa (Category D):

1) To apply for a long-term visa to engage in industrial, commercial, handicraft activities or establish an enterprise in France, two sets of materials need to be prepared. Arrange in the following order:

⑴ General documents

a. Three (or four) long-term visa application forms filled out truthfully, completely and signed by yourself.

b. Four recent passport photos.

c. Original passport and two copies of all pages containing personal information.

d.CERFA n°13473*01 form, original and copy.

e. The original and two copies of the certificate of no criminal record or similar certificate.

f. The applicant’s non-criminal statement in the country of residence in the past ten years, original and copy.

g. Original and copy of the applicant’s non-bankruptcy declaration in the country of origin and the country where he has lived in the past ten years.

h. Tax payment certificate or tax bill is limited to applicants who have lived in France and left France for less than four years; original and two copies.

i. If necessary, provide qualification certification documents related to the industrial, commercial and handicraft activities the applicant will engage in; original and two copies.

⑵ Documents related to business

a. To conduct business in an individual’s name, the original copy of the business plan and the budget for the next few years, and two copies. A guarantee certificate issued by a financial institution headquartered in France or an underwriting consent document issued by a recognized insurance company, or the original and two copies of the deposit certificate of a bank account opened by a financial institution in France where the applicant is registered.

b. Starting a business: The original and two copies of the house leasing commitment or sublease contract that mentions the business content, or the permission certificate from the owner of the business site, or all other documents related to the business site. If necessary, the original and two copies of the housing contract are also required. Purchase of business assets: Original and two copies of the commitment or contract to sell business assets.

c. Lease management Lease management commitment or contract: original and two copies. Commercial enterprise registration certificate (business license) or occupational directory registration certificate of the previous operator (valid within three months); original and two copies. Lease contract signed in the name of the owner; original and two copies.

d. Business plan in the name of the company and budget for the next few years; original and copy. A certificate of guarantee issued by a financial institution headquartered in France or an underwriting consent document issued by a recognized insurance company, or a certificate of deposit of a bank account opened by the applicant at a French financial institution at the place of registration; original and two copies.

e. Establishing a French enterprise: A house leasing commitment or sublease contract mentioning the business content, or a license certificate from the owner of the business site, or all other documents related to the business site; two originals and two copies. Draft company articles of association containing the contents of registered capital contribution; original and two copies.

f. Establishment of a French enterprise that is also a subsidiary of a foreign company. Appointment letter or letter of intent for appointment from the competent authority; original and two copies. The articles of association of the foreign legal person and the balance sheets of the last two years, and if possible, a certificate issued by the bank in the place where the foreign legal person is registered, stating that the foreign legal person has a bank account in the bank; original and two copies. A housing leasing commitment or sublease contract mentioning the business content, or a license certificate from the owner of the business site, or all other documents related to the business site; original and two copies. Draft company articles of association containing the contents of registered capital contribution; original and two copies. Appointment letter for the establishment of a foreign legal person’s representative office in France or a letter of intention to appoint a competent authority; original and two copies. The articles of association of the foreign legal person and the balance sheets of the last two years, or if possible, a certificate issued by the bank in the place where the foreign legal person is registered, stating that the foreign legal person has a bank account in the bank; original and two copies.

2) Apply for the spouse of a French citizen (long-term residence visa)

⑴ The spouse of a French citizen can make an appointment in advance at the French Visa Application Center and submit directly to the visa section of the French Embassy or Consulate in China Visa application.

⑵ Two signed long-term application forms, the contents must be filled in English or French.

⑶ Two recent color ID photos with white background. (3.5x4.5cm, the photo is clean and clear, without folding stains).

⑷ Fill in the original and copy of the OFII form.

⑸ Copies of the passport information page and the first 5 pages of the passport and all pages containing visas and stamps.

⑹ Marriage certificate:

a. If the marriage has been registered in France: the original and copy of the marriage certificate issued by the city hall within three months; the original and copy of the family book.

b. If the marriage has been registered abroad: the original and copy of the marriage certificate valid within 3 months issued by the French Personnel Office of the French Consulate; the original and copy of the family book.

⑺ Proof of French nationality of spouse

a. If the French spouse lives in China; a copy of the consular card and a copy of the cancellation certificate.

b. If the French spouse does not live in China; a copy of his or her ID card, or a copy of the French nationality certificate; or a birth certificate indicating his French nationality.

c. If necessary, a copy of the French nationality decree is required.

d. If necessary, the French citizenship restoration decree and a copy are required.

⑻ Original and copy of spouse’s letter of intention.

⑼ Copy of proof of residence in France.

⑽ Copy of proof of daily life; the materials are your choice (***bank account number opened by the same party, invoices with the names of both parties, letters exchanged between both parties, and the passport of the French spouse issued by the Chinese competent authority Visa copy, etc.).