France Visa Requirements For Nigerian Citizens
In this blog post, we will show you the France visa requirements for Nigerian citizens.
France is part of the Schengen countries and it requires applicants to take their biometric at the visa application centre.
We’ve written all necessary guidelines and requirements to obtain a French visa in Nigeria. You need any help? Feel free to contact us.
Types of France Visa
- Tourist visa
- Business visa
- Student visa
- Airport Transit Visa (ATV)
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.
Documents Required For France Visa in Nigeria
Below is the list of documents required for France visa in Nigeria.
- An international passport (valid for at least six months with three consecutive blank pages)
- 2 x passport photographs that meet the photo specificationÂ
- A completed (online) France visa application form
- Receipt of application submission – you will download this after completing the online application
- Bank statements (for the last 3 months)
- Round-trip flight reservation
- Proof of hotel reservation (this is not required in the case of ATV).
- Travel insurance to cover the duration of stay (this is not compulsory when applying for Airport transit visa)
- Proof of ties to Nigeria (e.g. Birth certificate, marriage certificate, letter of employment etc.)
- Copies of previous Schengen visas (If any)
- Letter of invitation from a sponsor (If any)
To-Do List For France Visa Application In Nigeria
- Confirm the visa you need here
- Gather all the necessary documents
- Create an account on the website
- Fill out the online application form
- Download the completed application and document checklist
- Make an appointment at a VFS Application Centre
- Attend your appointment and submit your application at a VFS Application Centre
- Pay the visa fees
- Submit biometrics
- Wait to be notified by VFS when your passport is ready
- Collect your passport or wait for it to be couriered
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
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
Where is France Embassy in Nigeria?
France visa applications go through VFS Global. Below are the contact details of where you can submit your France visa application in Nigeria.
Address | Admiral Ayinla Way, Lekki-Epe, Manor House Expressway, Plot 110, opposite Treasure Garden, Lagos |
Phone | (+234) 81 50 18 88 00, Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 15:00 |
info.frng@vfshelpline.com | |
Application Submissions | 08:00 – 14:00 (Monday to Friday, except declared holidays) |
Passport Collection Time | 14:00 – 16:00 (Monday to Friday, except declared holidays) |
VFS Application Centre (Abuja)
Address | Sterling Bank Plaza, 3rd floor, Plot 1083, Mohammadu Buhari Way, CBD, Abuja |
Phone | (+234) 81 50 18 88 00, Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 15:00 |
abujainfo.frng@vfshelpline.com | |
Application Submissions | 08:00 – 15:00 (Monday to Friday, except declared holidays) |
Passport Collection Time | 09:00 – 15:00 (Monday to Friday, except declared holidays) |
France visa allows you to enter other 25 Schengen countries. However, your first port of entry must be France.
What is the validity of France visa?
The visa validity is determined by the French embassy. For first timer, it is usually a short validity, ranging from 5 days to 30 days. You could get up to 5 year Schengen visa if you are a frequent flyer.
Contact us here for France visa assistance service.
You may also like How to Apply For Nigeria visa for Foreigners coming to Nigeria.