France is home to world-renowned cuisine, art, and architectural highlights, such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame de Paris. To travel there, most individuals living outside the Schengen zone, including holders of Qatari passports, require a visa. Here’s all you need to know about getting it in Qatar. 

Qatari citizens need to have a valid visa to visit France. Non-Qatari citizens might or might not need it — it depends on which passport you have, where exactly you’d like to go, and how long you want to stay there. For instance, citizens of India, the Philippines, and Egypt will need a visa for a short-stay tourist trip, while citizens of the United States and the United Kingdom won’t.

For further details, check the France visa wizard portal, which will inform you of the type of visa you need.

The exact documentation depends on your visa type. In general, you’ll be required to provide the following documents: 

Tourist visa

A typical tourist visa is a short-stay visa that’s valid for 90 days. Depending on whether you’re up to travel to France in the Schengen area or French non-European territories (such as French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, or other overseas regions), you can apply for a Schengen visa or a French national visa.

If, for any personal reason (excluding professional activity), you’d like to stay in France longer than 3 months, you should apply for a long-stay visa that would serve as a residence permit. It will cost around QAR 420 (99 EUR). 

Fees: 

• Around QAR 380 for adults

• Around QAR 190 for children between the ages of 6 and 12

• Free for children under 6

+ VFS application fee of around QAR 100

Processing time: Up to 15 days 

Transit visa

An airport transit visa is required when you don’t intend to stay in France because your final destination is outside the Schengen area. An airport transit visa obliges you to remain in the international zone of the French airport. If you have to change airports or leave the international zone, you must apply for a short-stay visa. More information on transit visas can be found on the official visa website.

Fees: 

• Around QAR 380 for adults

• Around QAR 190 for children between the ages of 6 and 12

• Free for children under 6

+ VFS application fee of around QAR 100

Processing time: up to 15 days 

Business visa

Those who travel to France for business trips, conferences, or trade fairs would need a short-stay visa. To apply, you will need to provide a formal invitation. Short-stay visas would also be suitable for seasonal workers and those participating in sports, cultural, or scientific events.

If a trip that doesn’t exceed 90 days is not enough for your professional purposes (say, you want to start a business in France, you’re a self-employed worker, or a salaried employee), you should apply for a long-stay visa.

Fees: 

• Around QAR 380 for adults

• Around QAR 190 for children between the ages of 6 and 12

• Free for children under 6

+ VFS application fee of around QAR 100

Processing time: up to 15 days 

Student visa

If you want to go to France to study, the first thing you should do before applying for a visa is to choose your study program. To learn more about various courses and how to finance your studies, visit the Campus France platform. You can also stop by their office in Doha. You must be accepted by an institution before applying.

The visa type varies depending on the course length:

• Up to 3 months: Short-stay visa

• 3–6 months: Long-stay visa without further formalities when you arrive

• More than 6 months: Long-stay visa that serves as a residence permit and is subject to additional formalities upon arrival

Fees are around QAR 420 + VFS application fee of around QAR 100

Processing time: Up to 28 days 

Working holiday visa

This is a special type of visa that allows you to work and stay in France up to one year, if you meet the following conditions:

• You’re a citizen of Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Taiwan, or Uruguay

• Your age is between 18 and 30 (36 if you’re from Canada, Argentina, or Australia)

Fees are around QAR 420 + VFS application fee of around QAR 100

Processing time: Up to 20 days 

Here’s how to obtain a French tourist visa:

1. Use a visa wizard to check if you need a visa.

2. If you do, submit your application online. Сhoose Start your visa application, create an account, and fill out the form.

3. Book an appointment online at the VFS Global in Doha. 

4. Visit the Centre VFS and provide biometric information.

5. Track your application online.

6. Once the visa is approved, return to the VFS to collect your documents. And have a great trip!