How To Apply For A Tourist Visa To France From Nigeria

I’ve always aspired to travel, and France is one of the top destinations on my bucket list. There has never been a more flamboyant and romantic country than the one of “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity”. It lies on the European continent from the Mediterranean sea to the English Channel and the North sea, and also from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean.

The country is brimming with flattering historical monuments, art, culture, literature, music, fashion, architecture, and business. Notable tourist attractions include the French Riviera, the French Alps, beautiful cities like Paris, Lyon, Marseilles, and Bordeaux, and of course the arts.

These historical art pieces are housed in 1200 museums around the country, one of such is the Louvre and about 43,180 buildings protected as national monuments, some of these famous monuments are the Palace of Versailles, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, and various Châteaux.

Besides the cultural atmosphere, the French are also famous for their wine, cuisine, bread, cheese, cafes, and overall friendly nature.

France is a Schengen member, and the French Consulate General in Lagos processes visas and immigration for Nigerian citizens. The short-stay visa for France is required for tourism, family, and friends visits, or just ordinary transit. Applications can only be accepted 10 weeks before the date of travel at the countries’ visa application center; VFS Global. Here are the necessary visa and immigration application details for a holiday in France.

Tourists Visa Requirements for France

A duly completed and signed online visa application form, which is PDF generated afterward for printing, questionnaire, along with an attached barcode generated page.
International passport with six months validity, three empty leaflets, and an issue date of below 10 years.
Three photocopies of your Nigerian international passport bio-data page.
Passport photograph with dimensions of 35-40mm, no more than six months old, with 70-80% camera face close up.
Current three months bank statement at least 15 days before the application.
Receipt of the visa application fee of €80 (N39,003), is paid at the Sterling Bank teller counter at the visa application centre. Children below the age of six are exempted from visa fees, while children between the ages of 6-12 will pay €40 (N19,501).
Receipt of VFS Global service fee of €40 (N19,512) where applicable.
Visa applicants below the age of 18 must provide a birth certificate, parents’ letter of consent, issuing parent’s passport bio-data page, or national ID card.
Portrait photocopies of your last two US, UK, Canada, Japan, or any Schengen visa if any will be required.
Photocopy of spouse passport data page and marriage certificate duly legalized in Nigeria where applicable.
Complete flight and hotel itinerary.
Valid travel insurance cover.

France Visa Application Submission

The visa application submission for France is at the VFS Global office, this is the official visa application centre for France, and they do not have any visa approval power. Visit their Lagos or Abuja office with your application form and supporting documents between Monday – Friday at 08:00 AM to 14:00 PM excluding the national public holidays observed by the France Consulate General and Federal Government of Nigeria. Applicants will be required to have their biometrics taken at the VFS Global office.

Covid 19 Requirements for France Visa Application

Starting 14 March 2022, the “vaccine pass” has been abolished in all places where it was formerly necessary for France (cultural and leisure venues, commercial catering, professional trade shows, etc.). Similarly, as of August 1, 2022, the COVID certificate is no longer necessary.

Mask-wearing is no longer mandatory in establishments open to the public, nor on board maritime, river, land, and air transport.

Mask-wearing continues to be recommended in enclosed and small spaces, and at large gatherings for vulnerable persons due to their age;

France Visa Application Duration

The visa processing time is at least 15 working days of the Schengen process, and visa collection time is 10:00 AM – 16:00PM on Mondays – Fridays. All applicants must come in person for the collection of documents/passports as third parties will not be allowed to collect the documents on behalf of an applicant, except in the cases where parents are collecting for dependents, one family member collecting for the whole family who applied together.