If you are a Thai citizen or a non-EU resident in Thailand planning to travel to France for tourism, business, or to visit family, you will need to apply for a French Schengen Visa. This short-stay visa allows you to remain in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
On this page, we cover what the French Schengen Visa is, the documents required to apply, and a step-by-step guide to the application process from Thailand.
What is the French Schengen Visa?
A French Schengen Visa allows you to stay in France for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It is designed for short-term visits such as tourism, business meetings, or visiting family. Though the visa is issued by France, you will also be granted access to all 29 countries of the Schengen Area, removing the need to apply for separate visas for each destination. These countries include:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
However, you must apply for the French Schengen Visa only if France is your main destination of travel or the country where you’ll spend the most time during your trip. If you plan to visit multiple Schengen countries and your stay in each is equal, then you should apply through the country where you will first enter the Schengen Area.
Common French Schengen Visa Types
The French Schengen Visa comes in several types, depending on the reason for your visit. Below is a list of the most common ones:
- Tourist Visa: For sightseeing, exploring French cities, and visiting cultural or historical landmarks
- Business Visa: For attending business meetings, conferences, or other business-related activities in the Schengen Area
- Family Visit Visa: For spending time with family or friends who live in France
French Schengen Visa Required Documents
When applying for a French Schengen Visa, you must provide documents that explain the purpose of your visit, confirm your travel plans, and show that you can support yourself during your stay in the country. These documents form a key part of your application and must be accurate and complete. Below is an overview of what you will need to prepare:
Personal Identification
- Completed French Schengen Visa application form
- Valid passport (min. 3 months after visa expiry + 2 blank pages)
- Copy of passport photo page
- Two passport-sized photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm, white background, recent)
Employment and Financial Evidence
- Proof of employment: A letter with job title, start date, salary, and leave approval
- Recent payslips (if available)
- Business registration certificate (if self-employed)
- Bank statements from the last 3 months or proof of assets/property ownership
Travel Details
- Motivation letter explaining your reason for visiting France
- Invitation letter (if visiting friends/family) + proof of relationship
- Detailed itinerary with cities, dates, and accommodation
- Proof of confirmed accommodation
- Round-trip flight reservation or travel plan
Travel Insurance
- Medical insurance valid across all Schengen countries
- Minimum coverage: 30,000 EUR
- Must cover the entire stay
All documents must be in French or English or be accompanied by a certified translation in one of those languages. If any of your documents are in Thai, you will need to have them notarized, translated, and legalized before submitting them with your French Schengen Visa application.
How to Apply for a French Schengen Visa from Thailand
Applying for a French Schengen Visa from Thailand requires you to create accounts on two official websites, book an appointment at the visa application center, and submit biometric data if needed. Below is a step-by-step guide on what you can expect during the application process:
- Complete the France-Visas Form: Create an account on the France-Visas website using your personal email, then complete and validate the online form. Once your form is validated, your French Schengen Visa application form will be sent to your email address and must be signed by you in person.
- Document Preparation: Gather all the required supporting documents and create an account on the TLScontact website.
- Personal Information Submission: Log in to your TLScontact account and fill in the requested personal details. If you are a part of a group of people applying for a visa together, include the information of everyone as well before submission.
- Appointment Booking: Choose a convenient date and time to submit your application at the TLScontact Visa Application Center in Thailand. Pay the service fees in advance and print your appointment confirmation.
- Application Submission: Arrive at the appointment at the TLScontact Visa Application Center with the appointment confirmation printout and all the required documents. Submit your documents and pay the visa fee. If you have submitted your fingerprints for a Schengen Visa application in the last 59 months, you will be exempted from biometric data collection by TLScontact.
- Application Processing and Passport Return: The application will be forwarded to the Embassy of France in Thailand for review. Once a decision has been made, your passport will be returned to the TLScontact Visa Application Center, and you will receive an SMS notification as soon as the passport is ready for pickup. You have the option to collect it in person, through a representative, or by courier services to your chosen address.
French Schengen Visa Processing Time
As a general rule, you must submit your visa application no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 calendar days before your planned travel date. Since processing can take up to 15 days, applying early helps prevent delays that could affect your departure.
The Embassy of France in Thailand may also request additional documents or information, which could extend the processing time. If that happens, you will be contacted by email or phone with detailed instructions.
To track the status of your French Schengen Visa application, log in to your account on the TLScontact website.
French Schengen Visa Fees and Service Fees
The visa fee for a short-stay French Schengen Visa is 90 EUR. The equivalent amount in Thai baht (THB) may vary, as it depends on current exchange rates and is subject to change.
When submitting your application at the TLScontact Visa Application Centre in Bangkok, you will need to pay both a visa fee and a service fee. The visa fee is collected at the center on behalf of the Embassy of France in Thailand to process your application. Below are the visa and service fees:
| Fee Type | Amount |
| Visa Fee | 90 EUR (payable in THB based on the exchange rate) |
| TLScontact Service Fee | 931 THB (payable online via QR code or credit card) |
Tips for Increasing the Chances of Approval for the French Schengen Visa
To increase your chances of getting approved for a Schengen Visa to France, you will need to provide more than just the basic paperwork. Consular officers review each case closely for consistency and a clear intent to return home once the visa expires. Here are a few tips to strengthen your application for a French Schengen Visa:
- Double-Check Your Documents: Check all documents to make sure that the information is complete, up to date, and matches the details of your application, as even small inconsistencies (such as name variations or mismatched dates) can cause delays or result in a visa denial.
- Prove Strong Ties to Thailand: Provide documents that show you have reasons to return after your trip to France, as this will help establish non-immigrant intent. These can include proof of employment, business ownership, ties to the family, and assets (such as a house or a car).
- Submit a Detailed Travel Itinerary: List the cities you plan to visit, your accommodation details, and your travel dates. A detailed itinerary shows that your trip is structured and has a defined purpose.
To maximize your chances of approval, it is recommended to work with French immigration specialists who can guide you through each step of the process and review your documents to make sure that they directly support your application and meet the consular officer’s expectations.
Professional Assistance With Your Schengen Visa to France from Thailand
If you are planning a trip to France from Thailand and want to avoid visa-related delays or mistakes that could disrupt your travel plans, get in touch with Siam Legal International. We are a full-service law firm and visa consultancy in Thailand with over 20 years of experience in helping clients of all backgrounds efficiently secure entry to foreign countries.
Our bilingual team of French immigration specialists will help you obtain your French Schengen Visa swiftly and stress-free, giving you more time to focus on making your trip to France one to remember. Our French Schengen Visa application services include:
- A personalized consultation with our French immigration specialist to assess your travel plans and the purpose of your visit for a well-prepared application
- Assistance in gathering and reviewing all required documents to ensure accuracy and compliance with French immigration standards
- Appointment booking at the French TLScontact Visa Application Center in Thailand for biometric data collection and submission of your visa application
- Clear guidance on all fees related to your specific visa type, so you are prepared for any additional costs
- Unlimited phone support from our French visa specialists throughout the application process
To streamline your French Schengen Visa application and be well on your way to exploring France, do not hesitate to contact Siam Legal now to book a consultation!
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