Paris is considered the most romantic place on earth, so lovers from all over the world try to get into this wonderful city at least once and enjoy the beauty of the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame Cathedral. But the French state is particularly demanding and strict about its visa policy. In order for Russian tourists to visit this European country, you need to get a Schengen visa by submitting documents for its registration to the visa centers of France at the place of their registration.
Where can I apply for a French visa?
Many people who have never encountered the procedure for obtaining a pass to enter the Schengen zone do not know where to go initially and where to start. First you need to collect all the necessary documents and, having signed up, take them to the specialized visa centers in France, located in Russia in the amount of eighteen pieces. Each region and its registered persons have their own company authorized by the French state to assist Russian citizens in obtaining a Schengen visa.
For residents of the capital, there are two ways to obtain permission to enter this European country. They can contact the following agencies: Embassy of France, Visa Application Center (Moscow) and choose the best option for themselves.
Advantages and disadvantages
One of the cons of the Consulate is that you need to make an appointment for several months and come in person to submit documents. But if you apply for a French visa in this way, then you will not need to bear the extra costs for an intermediary. And you can also get documents for the wife or husband by presenting a power of attorney written by hand.
France visa centers in Moscow have a number of advantages. Firstly, the undoubted advantage is that you do not need to stand in long lines, a maximum of ten minutes. For consultations, you can visit the company at least every day and receive answers to exciting questions. And also, if you need to make copies of any documents, then the visa centers of France specifically for the convenience of their customers have provided copy machines or a computer with a printer in case you need to print something from a removable medium. Another advantage of this institution can be considered that it is possible to arrange the delivery of a passport by courier, having previously agreed on this procedure.
The only negative of this company is the need for additional costs for paying for the center's services, acting as an intermediary.
Required Documents: List
The first thing to do before applying to the visa centers in France in Moscow is to download the application form from the website of the Consulate of the French state and fill it out. This can be done in electronic form.
Then collect all the necessary documents, such as:
- medical insurance;
- round-trip plane tickets;
- hotel reservation, if there is an invitation to France;
- certificates from the place of work or study;
- passport and copies of a civil passport;
- also do not forget about the extract from the bank, confirming the financial viability with an indication of any amount, since the Consulate of the French Republic does not indicate anywhere the necessary figure of income, which will be enough to travel to the country;
- a photo in the amount of two pieces, they should have a blue background and a size of 3.5x4.5 centimeters.
If you apply for a visa only for yourself, then in case of any inconsistencies or problems with photography, the visa centers in France give you the opportunity to be photographed inside their institution during the visit. But if a visa pass is issued to close relatives, it will be more appropriate to bring a flash drive with pictures taken in a photo studio so that you can correct comments on photos. However, since September 2015, a resolution was issued that the applicant must first appear on his own to undergo a biometric procedure, and then all the necessary and missing documents can be brought up by relatives according to the power of attorney issued.
Before visiting the center, it is better to pre-register by phone or online.
Visa for minors
In the event that the children are going to travel with one of the parents, then from another, not participating in this trip, you will need a document confirming your consent to the removal of the child from Russia.
If the whole family is planning to make a trip, then in this case the period of a visa for a minor member will strictly correspond to the duration of the trip indicated in the application form. It can be extended if you bring a notarized permission from both parents for a longer visa validity period.
If you obtain a visa pass for several trips in a short period of time without a power of attorney from both parents, a child visa will be issued only for the first trip.
Contact details of institutions
It is better to go through the visa procedure by contacting the official visa centers of France in Moscow. Their addresses are as follows: Prospekt Mira, house 64, third floor, or the Embassy, located on Bolshaya Yakimanke street, house 45.
You can pay a visit to the office of an intermediary company authorized by the French Republic by pre-registering by phone numbers: +7 (495) 504-37-05 or +7 (499) 681-13-60. Its working hours are daily from 9:00 to 16:00, except for weekends.
The French Embassy is booked by the following telephone number: +7 (495) 937-15-00.
Customer reviews
The French Visa Application Center in Moscow on Prospekt Mira receives a lot of positive feedback. Many clients who came here for help in applying for a visa are grateful to the staff of this institution for performing quality and operational work. Documents are submitted in just a few minutes, and after a week you can expect a notification of receipt.
People speak of the staff working in the office of this company as friendly, correct and competent people. Those who contacted them at least once will undoubtedly make their next choice in their favor.