With its romantic and bustling cities, stunning landscapes, exquisite food, and rich culture, France is filled with many things to keep everyone on their toes. From world-famous attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre to the hidden gems of small towns and villages, and from the beaches of the French Riviera to the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, France has something to offer to everyone. Cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille offer plenty of unique cultural experiences, while the countryside offers some of the world's most spectacular views.
Whether you're an art fanatic, a history buff, a gourmet foodie, a beach lover, or simply a wanderer who wants to experience French culture, all you need is a France visa and our France tour package and you are all set to have the time of your life in this European nation. And if you feel like you need more time to soak in French culture, you can apply for a France visa extension.
If you are visiting family or friends and have an unplanned event coming up, or any medical emergency, you still can apply for an extension of a France visa for Indians while being in France. The process can be tiring but one can try for a visa extension if there's no option left. However, we would still suggest you return to your home country, get a new visa and return to France if possible.
How to Apply for France Visa
Step 1: Determine the type of France visa you may require based upon your purpose of visit. France visa types are divided into 2 categories: Short Stay Visa (France visa Type C) such as a tourist visa or a France business visa and Long Stay Visa (France visa Type D) such as a student visa, France visitor visa, or a work visa.
Note: Short stay visa France are typically issued for a stay period of up to 3 months with 6 months of validity, whereas, long-stay visas for France are issued for a period of 3 to 12 months with a validity of up to 1 year. The visa allows single or multiple entries depending upon your travel purpose and itinerary.
Step 2: Once you have determined your visa type, gather all the documents required for France visa application.
Step 3: Visit Akbartravels.com and fill out the France visa application form and submit all the documents. Since the France visa process is very complicated and arduous. It is highly advisable to contact a reliable travel agent such as Akbar Travels for a smooth and seamless application.
Step 4: Our Visa Experts will apply for your France visa online by filling out your France visa form, verifying your documents, and scheduling your France Embassy online appointment.
Step 5: You will need to visit the Visa Application Center (VAC) personally on the France visa appointment date, to submit your documents and biometrics (fingerprint and digital photograph).
France Visa Processing Time
Usually, a France Visa processing (Schengen Visa) takes anywhere from 15 to 20 days at the France Embassy/Consulate. The France tourist visa processing time is dependent on several factors and can change without notice at the consulate’s discretion.
When do you need a France (Schengen) Visa Extension
It should be noted that you can only extend your short-stay France visa in France, in case of a long-stay visa France, valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS), you need to apply for a France visa renewal.
It is very important to submit your application form for a short-stay Schengen visa extension (France visa extension) on time. To extend your France Type C visa you must apply before the expiration date of your visa. If you apply after your visa expires, even just a day later, then you will be deported or heavily fined for overstaying your visa, despite your reasons. Therefore, take care to apply at least a week before your current France short-stay visa expires.
A short-stay visa France extension is granted on a case-by-case basis under the following circumstances:
1. Humanitarian Reasons:
A France short-stay visa extension can be granted for humanitarian reasons such as –
- The applicant has to stay in France to receive or accompany someone who is receiving medical treatment in France.
- The applicant has to stay back after the sudden death of a relative to attend their funeral.
- The applicant had an accident and couldn’t travel before their visa expired.
2. Force Majeure:
Force Majeure means “Act of God” and it is used to refer to situations beyond the applicant’s control, such as:
- Natural calamities or extreme weather conditions.
- Unfavorable or dangerous conditions back home due to conflict or war.
- An outbreak of a pandemic such as COVID-19.
3. Late Entry:
- It is possible to extend a visa if entry into France was delayed and the visa period hasn't been used fully due to late entry into France.
4. Personal Reasons:
Getting a visa extension in France for personal reasons can be difficult and there are very low chances of approval.
- Unfinished business.
- Attending an unplanned wedding or getting married.
- Any event or occurrence that could not have been predicted at the time of the France visa application.
How to extend a Visa in France
- Apply for the French visa extension at the prefecture of your residence. Make sure to apply for your visa extension before the date of expiration.
- Depending upon the prefecture you may be asked to submit documents supporting your application for extending French visa. Some of the common visa requirements for France include documents such as:
- An original valid passport with the current visa stamp.
- Signed and duly completed France visa extension application form.
- Recent colored passport-sized photographs as per the France visa photo specifications.
- Proof of accommodation – rent receipt, lease agreement, etc. (if staying with a host – host’s ID card).
- Bank statements as proof of sufficient financial means (if staying with a host – host’s pay slips for last 3 months, tax notice, etc.).
- New confirmed return flight tickets as proof of return.
- Travel insurance.
- A cover letter mentioning and justifying the reason for the extension of the France visa.
- Other supporting documents that will help your application get approved.
- Attend the visa interview for extending the France visa and submit your application for extension along with all the documents mentioned above.
- Wait until you receive the approval for visa extension France.
France visa extension cost
In case of an event of Force Majeure, you are exempted from paying the France visa extension fees. However, if that is not the case, you may have to pay the France visa extension application fees of EUR 30 while extending your visa for the first time. On extending your visa the second time the charges for adults are EUR 60 and EUR 30 for minors.
France visa extension processing time
The extension of a France visa can be approved any time between a few days to a few weeks depending upon the nature/reason of the extension appeal.
FAQs
Q.Can France visa extension be rejected?Ans - Yes. If the French Visa Officials feel that you don’t have a strong enough reason to extend your stay or you lack documents supporting your reason, your application for visa extension can be rejected.
Q.How long can you overstay your visa in France?Ans - You cannot stay in France once your visa expires. Overstaying may result in fines, deportation, and even a ban to re-enter France again in the future. Hence, it is suggested to leave the country before your visa expires and re-enter the country again with a new visitor visa for France from India.
Q.Can I extend my visa in France?Ans - If you have a short-stay visa France and you have a strong valid reason then yes, you can extend your visa in France. However, the final decision to grant the visa extension lies in the hands of the Officials at the prefecture you are applying at.
Q.How do I extend my 90 day visa for France?Ans - A 90 day visa for France falls under the short-stay visa category and can be extended. But, you need a strong reason to extend your visa. If your reason is not strong or valid you cannot extend your visa in France. You must leave the country and re-enter the country again on a new visa.
Q.What happens if your visa expires in France?Ans - If your France tourist visa expires in France, you need to leave the country immediately. Failure in doing so is considered overstaying and it is an offense.
Q.How long is France visa extension issued for?Ans - An extension for France visa is generally issued for 90 days. However, you can re-apply for an extension at an additional cost for another 90 days given that you have strong reasons to stay back in the country.
Q.What documents are needed for visa extension in France?Ans - The documents required for extending France visa depends on the prefecture where you are applying. However, here’s a list of documents that are commonly asked for:
• Original valid passport with minimum 6 months of validity remaining and the current visa stamp.
• Signed and completed France visa forms.
• Passport-sized photographs.
• Proof of accommodation.
• Proof of funds.
• Proof of return – confirmed flight tickets to your home country.
• Travel insurance.
• A cover letter stating your reason for extending your France visa.
• Any other document which will support your application.
Q.Why is tourist France visa rejected?Ans - A tourist visa for France from India can be rejected due to a number of reasons, such as: if there are mistakes in the France visa forms, if the applicant doesn’t fulfill the France tourist visa requirements for Indian citizens, if the photograph submitted isn’t as per the guidelines provided, or if the documents submitted are not valid, tampered with, fake, etc.
Q.How much does a visa extension cost in France?Ans - The France visa cost for Indian to extend their visa is EUR 30 for the first time and free incase of Force Majeure. For the second extension of France visa, you must pay EUR 60 for adults and EUR 30 for minors.
Q.Is Paris tourist visa price refundable in case of rejection?Ans - No. The Paris visa fee (France visa price) is strictly non-refundable irregardless of your application status. Even if you withdraw the French visa applications you will not get a refund.
How can Akbar Travels help?
Applying for a France visa extension can be a complicated process. If there are any mistakes in the application form or if you fail to provide an important document you may be deported immediately (if your visa is already expired) or you may face rejection and might have to return to your home country. In any case, applying for a new France visa is a better choice as it saves you the hassle and is easier since you already had a France visa. If you have any doubts or queries visit Akbartytravels.com and get in touch with our Visa Experts and they will ensure that you obtain your France visa successfully without any troubles.
Moreover, from cheap flightstoFrance, visa to accommodationFrance tour packages and everything in between, we can handle it all.
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