With your Schengen visa, you can travel to any member state, including France (for tourism or business purposes), for a maximum of 90 days.
Whether you’re here for tourism -planning a leisurely tour of the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre or business purposes – engaging in vital business endeavors in the heart of Paris, your Schengen visa has you covered for such a long period.
However, if you realize that your Schengen visa is about to expire while you’re in France, don’t worry; you can renew it.
In this guide, we will walk you through how to renew your Schengen visa in France.
What you can do with your Schengen visa
A Schengen visa is a special type of visa that allows you to travel within the Schengen Area, which is a group of European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders.
With a Schengen visa, you can visit any of these countries without the need for separate visas for each one.
The Schengen Area includes many European countries, such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and more.
These visas are typically issued for short stays, such as tourism, business trips, or family visits, and they are usually valid for up to 90 days within 180 days. If you are in France with an expiring Schengen visa and wish to extend your stay, follow the steps below to renew/extend your visa.
How to renew a Schengen visa in France
To renew your Schengen visa in France, you have to be eligible for renewal, only then can you submit an application, which will be reviewed and a decision made on your application.
Determine your eligibility
Before you begin the renewal process, you need to check whether you are eligible for a visa renewal. Schengen visas are issued for short-term stays, and renewal is only possible under specific circumstances.
These may include medical reasons, humanitarian reasons, or force majeure situations. If your situation falls within one of these categories, you can proceed with the renewal process.
Prepare your documents
Before starting the renewal process properly, you need to gather all the required documents, gathering the required documents is a crucial step in the visa renewal process.
It helps avoid skipping any documents, if you apply with a missing document, your application will be rejected.
You will need the following documents:
- A Completed visa application form: Download the Schengen visa application form from the French consulate’s website and fill it out accurately.
- Valid passport: Ensure that your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date from the Schengen area and has at least two blank pages.
- Previous Schengen visa: Include a copy of your previous Schengen visa, if applicable.
- Proof of travel insurance: Provide evidence of comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation for a minimum coverage of €30,000.
- Proof of financial means: Show that you have sufficient funds to support your stay in France. Bank statements, a sponsorship letter, or a scholarship letter may be required.
- Proof of accommodation: Present hotel reservations, a rental agreement, or a letter of invitation from a host if you are staying with a friend or family member.
- Proof of the purpose of stay: Depending on the reason for your stay (tourism, study, work, etc.), you will need specific documents. For example, if you are a student, you should provide an enrollment certificate, if you are a worker, you should provide a work contract.
- No-Objection Certificate (NOC): If you are renewing a student visa, obtain an NOC from your educational institution confirming your attendance.
- Recent passport-sized photographs: Follow the consulate’s guidelines for passport photos.
- Proof of previous visits: You should also provide evidence of your previous visits to Schengen countries.
Schedule an appointment
To submit your visa renewal application, you need to schedule an appointment at the nearest French consulate or embassy.
You can book the appointment online through their official website. Make sure to book the appointment well in advance, as appointment slots are filled up quickly.
Attend the visa appointment
On the day of your appointment, arrive at the consulate or embassy on time. Bring all your prepared documents along with you.
During the appointment, the consular officer will review your application and ask you questions about your intended stay.
Pay the visa Fee
There is a visa fee associated with Schengen visa renewals. The fee varies depending on your age and circumstances.
Check the France consulate’s website for the most up-to-date fee information.
Wait for Approval
After submitting your application, the consulate will review your documents and decide on your visa renewal.
The processing time takes a few days (around 15 days) but in rare situations, it can take up to a month.
Once your visa renewal is approved, you will be notified to collect your passport. Make sure to pick it up promptly, as there may be a deadline for retrieval.
Your renewed Schengen visa will be stamped in your passport, allowing you to stay in France for the specified duration.
If you are in France on your Schengen visa and your reason for visiting France is extending beyond your planned stay, you need to start the extension of your Schengen visa early, this will allow for any unexpected delays.
If you wait till your current Schengen visa expires, you have to leave France immediately, there will be no room for renewal while in France.
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