Applying for a Visa

Application

Visa application options vary by country and nationality. Some must be obtained before departure, while others can be secured upon arrival, sometimes with specific conditions.

Applying Before Departure

Consulates

A visa is obtained from a consulate of the country in question, not (as is sometimes mistakenly stated) from an embassy, which handles only diplomatic affairs. However, if a country does not have a separate consular service, you must apply through the appropriate department at the embassy.

Different Consulates

In the capital: While embassies and "general" consulates are almost always located in the capital, they are not necessarily at the same address. For example, for a long time, the Chinese embassy in France was in Paris, while the visa-issuing consulate was in the suburbs.

In the regions: Many countries also have consulates outside the capital. However, very few are authorised to issue visas; most handle only commercial matters (especially in port cities) or assist their own nationals. Often, these consulates can at best provide information on the procedures to follow and give you the forms to fill out; you will then need to apply to the general consulate.

Foreign Consulates in France (and Elsewhere)

• See the article in the "Useful Addresses" guide

Addresses of foreign representations in Paris, the regions, and the French overseas territories. The same applies to Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada/Quebec.

Countries Without Representation

In rare cases (in France), a country may not have a representation in your country of residence. In this case, you must contact the nearest embassy/consulate (for example, some Pacific island representations are in the UK, not France).

Consulates in a Country Other Than Your Residence

If a country has a representation in France, can you apply at one of its consulates abroad? This question often interests long-term travellers who plan to obtain visas as they go, as well as those living in border regions (primarily Switzerland and Belgium).

In theory, this is entirely possible. However, some consulates may refer you to their colleagues in your country of residence. It’s up to you to argue your case, though ultimately, the consulate has the final say. In short, check beforehand...

How to Apply?

A visa application can usually be made directly at the consulate, by post, or through a specialised agency. In recent years, more and more countries offer online visa/tourist card applications. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages.

But first and foremost, as we’ve said before, make sure to check whether a visa is required, the possibility of obtaining it on arrival, the validity periods, fees, and documents needed—all well in advance.

Applying in Person

Applying directly at the consulate is a popular choice among travellers. It eliminates intermediaries (saving money) and, in principle, provides better information in case of issues, especially compared to a postal application. It also generally reduces processing times for obtaining your visa.

However, this option requires some time and preferably being on-site, either at the "general" consulate (in the capital) or at a regional consulate authorised to issue visas. For some countries, applications and collections must be spread over several days, with sometimes unpredictable consular service hours. Additionally, during peak periods like the summer holidays, some consulates (e.g., China) may have long queues, making it uncertain whether your application will be processed immediately. In short, it’s best to be available and on-site to minimise costs...

Some special cases: In some consulates, if applying in person, the applicant must personally submit and collect their file. Furthermore, a few countries outsource visa applications to private companies or agencies. In such cases, you must apply directly or by post not to the consulates but to these companies. For the United States, visa applications (for stays longer than 3 months or for non-tourism purposes) can only be made in person at authorised consular offices.

Applying by Post

Another option is to apply by sending your passport and required documents by registered mail (always with acknowledgment of receipt). The fact that more and more consulates provide online forms makes this option particularly appealing for those who cannot apply in person and/or want to avoid intermediary fees.

However, there are some drawbacks: you are dependent on postal services, and it can sometimes be difficult to track your file or intervene quickly and effectively in case of problems. Additionally, not all consulates allow this system.

Applying Online

With the internet, more and more countries offer instant "visa" (or equivalent) applications online. Beyond pioneers like Australia with its "Electronic Travel Authority" or the United States with its well-known ESTA, dozens of countries now use this system. It’s ideal in every way and is likely to become more widespread over time.

Applying Through a Travel Agency

When a visa is required, many agencies handle the application for their clients travelling on tours or package holidays. If the service is included in the price, it’s worth taking advantage of (even if legally, you can usually refuse).

However, if it’s offered as an "extra," check the fees carefully. Agencies almost always use the same specialised intermediary companies that you can contact directly for the same service. From there, it’s just a matter of comparing prices.

It’s also worth noting that sometimes an agency may "require" you to obtain a visa before departure, even when it can be obtained on arrival (sometimes at a lower cost). Apart from a few (rare) cases where this is done to make a small extra profit, it’s generally to simplify things for everyone, especially for destinations where the on-arrival procedure may be unreliable or lengthy.

Applying Through a Specialised Company

In France, there are about half a dozen companies specialising in visa applications. They handle all the procedures for you, usually within a few days, though most also offer an "urgent processing" option.

In addition to the visa fee and postage costs, these agencies charge a commission, typically around 20 €-30 on average for a tourist visa. Incidentally, they can resolve many tricky cases thanks to their contacts within consular services (in short, it sometimes works through bribes in certain consulates).

Using such a service is useful if you want to simplify your life, especially in "difficult" cases (destination and/or applicant), if there’s an urgent need, or if you have to make multiple applications and trips for your visa.

However, it’s far less useful—if at all—if the visa is easily obtained at the consulate (and you’re on-site) or especially on arrival. Not to mention visas that can be obtained directly online, like Australia’s "Electronic Travel Authority" or the US ESTA.

In short, while intermediaries can make things easier in many cases, always check whether you really need them. At the very least, compare the intermediary’s fees with what you would spend to achieve the same result yourself.

Applying on Arrival

Visa

To streamline procedures or encourage visitors from various countries—an increasing number, in fact—many offer visas on arrival at borders or airports.

In this case, it’s up to you to choose what you prefer, though it’s still best to check the procedure before departure and ensure it will still be in place when you arrive.

But be careful: even if this is the case, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be available at all border crossings (sometimes only the main ones or just airports), for the same validity period as a pre-obtained visa, or at the same price (though it’s often cheaper). Also, when the procedure is new, not all customs officers may be immediately aware of it...

Tourist Card

A tourist card is a particular form of visa. It’s a document given to you upon arrival (sometimes even if the country also requires a visa) and may cost a few euros or dollars, as in some Central American or Asian countries. You must return it to customs when leaving (so don’t lose it).

Procedure

In theory, since everything happens upon arrival, you don’t need to do anything before departure, though having a few passport photos with you can occasionally be useful.