France Introduces New Online Visa Appointment System for Faster Processing

France has introduced a new digital visa system, making it mandatory for all foreign nationals to book their visa appointments online. This updated process applies to everyone—whether you're applying for a short-stay Schengen visa or a long-stay national visa.

The aim? To make the system more efficient, user-friendly, and transparent, while also reducing reliance on intermediaries and improving documentation accuracy.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how the new visa application process works:

✅ Step 1: Check If You Need a Visa

Start your journey by visiting the official Visa Wizard on the France-Visas website. This tool helps you determine:

• If you need a visa

The type of visa you need based on your travel purpose

The list of required documents

The applicable visa fees

You can also use the Schengen Visa Calculator to check how many days you can still stay in the Schengen Area, especially if you've travelled there recently.

✅ Step 2: Confirm Eligibility Before Proceeding

Before booking an appointment, ensure that the Visa Wizard confirms your eligibility. Only applicants who meet the criteria can proceed to the next step. This measure prevents invalid or ineligible applications and helps streamline the process.

✅ Step 3: Book an Appointment via Démarches Simplifiées

Eligible applicants must register on the Démarches Simplifiées platform to request a visa appointment.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

• Create an account
  
  
• Fill out a questionnaire with details such as:

• Duration of your stay
  
  
• Purpose of travel
  
  
• Intended travel dates
  
  

It’s important to enter accurate and complete information to avoid any delays or rejection.

✅ Step 4: Confirm Appointment via Email

Once your appointment request is accepted, you’ll receive a confirmation email with:

• Date and time of the appointment
  
  
• Location of the visa centre
  
  

To secure your slot, you must reply to confirm your availability. If you fail to confirm, the appointment will be automatically cancelled.

✅ Step 5: Prepare for Your Visa Appointment

Before the appointment:

• Complete your visa application on the official France-Visas portal

Print out your completed application form

Gather all required supporting documents

On the day of the appointment, visa officials will:

• Review your documents
  
  
• Collect biometric data (fingerprints and photo)

Charge the visa application fee

Note: If you have submitted fingerprints for a Schengen visa in the last 59 months, you may be exempt from giving biometrics again.

⚠️ Final Tip:

Incomplete applications, missing documents, or incorrect personal details can lead to delays or rejection. Double-check everything before your appointment.

With this new system, France aims to make the visa application experience more streamlined, secure, and efficient for all travellers. Whether you're visiting for business, tourism, or long-term stay, being well-prepared will help you sail smoothly through the process.