This Schengen visa, applied through France, grants access to all 29 Schengen member states for tourism, family visits, or business trips up to 90 days.1 France is one of the most popular Schengen destinations for Chinese travelers, processing over 458,000 applications in 2024 with an excellent 93.9% approval rate.3

Application Process

Follow these steps to apply for your France Schengen visa:

1. Determine your travel dates and create detailed itinerary
   Plan your trip comprehensively, including all cities you’ll visit, accommodation for each night, and planned activities. If visiting multiple Schengen countries, ensure France is your main destination or first entry point.1

2. Create an account on France-Visas portal
   Visit france-visas.gouv.fr and create your personal account.1 The portal will guide you through determining which visa you need and generate your personalized document checklist.

3. Complete the online visa application form
   Fill out the Schengen visa application on France-Visas.1 Ensure all information matches your supporting documents exactly. Print all pages including barcodes and sign the form.

4. Gather all required documents
   Collect passport, photographs, bank statements, employment proof, travel insurance, flight reservations, accommodation confirmations, and hukou copy. Review the complete requirements checklist provided by France-Visas.1

5. Purchase travel insurance
   Buy Schengen travel insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage valid for all member states and your entire travel period.6

6. Book TLScontact appointment
   Schedule your appointment at the nearest TLScontact Visa Application Centre through their online booking system.2 Pay the TLScontact service fee online during booking. Slots fill quickly during peak season, so book at least 3-4 weeks in advance.

7. Attend biometrics appointment at TLScontact
   Arrive 15 minutes early with your original passport, printed application form, appointment confirmation, and all supporting documents.2 Your fingerprints and photograph will be captured (exempt if provided within last 59 months).

8. Pay visa fee and submit application
   Pay the €90 visa fee (€45 for children 6-12, free for under 6) at the TLScontact center.2 Payment methods include bank card, WeChat Pay, or Alipay.

9. Track application status
   Check your application progress on the TLScontact website using your reference number. Processing typically takes 15 working days but can extend to 45 days during peak periods.1

10. Collect passport with visa
    Once processed, collect your passport from the TLScontact center or opt for courier delivery. Your visa sticker will show validity dates, number of entries allowed, and duration of stay.

Applications can be submitted 6 months before your intended travel date, but no later than 15 days before departure.6

Fees

The visa fee is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected.2 Exchange rates fluctuate, so the CNY equivalent may vary at the time of payment.

Fee waivers are available for certain categories, including children under 6, students and teachers on study trips, researchers, and representatives of non-profit organizations engaged in cultural or educational activities.6

What You Need to Prove

French consular officers assess your application based on several key criteria:

Genuine tourism purpose: Your itinerary, hotel bookings, and cover letter must demonstrate a clear tourism intent. Vague plans or missing details raise red flags.1

Sufficient financial means: Bank statements should show stable income and adequate funds to cover your trip without financial strain. A minimum of €60 per day is recommended, though not officially mandated.1 Avoid large unexplained deposits shortly before applying.

Strong ties to China: Property ownership (fangchan zheng), ongoing employment, family dependents, hukou, and business commitments all prove your intention to return. First-time applicants face particular scrutiny on this criterion.1

Previous travel compliance: A history of respecting visa conditions in Schengen or other countries significantly strengthens your application. Include old passports showing previous visas and entry/exit stamps.1

Adequate insurance coverage: Your travel insurance must meet exact specifications: minimum €30,000 coverage, valid across all Schengen states, covering medical emergencies and repatriation.6 Insufficient coverage leads to automatic rejection.

Processing Times

Standard processing for France Schengen visas is 15 working days from when your application reaches the French consulate.1 However, the complete timeline includes:

• TLScontact to Consulate transfer: 2-5 working days
• Consulate processing: 15 working days (standard)1
• Passport return to TLScontact: 2-3 working days

Total realistic timeline: 3-4 weeks from your TLScontact appointment to receiving your passport with visa decision.

During peak travel seasons (Chinese New Year, National Day Golden Week, and summer holidays), processing can extend to 30-45 days.1 Appointment availability also becomes limited, with wait times of several weeks reported in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

Application timing rules:

• Earliest: 6 months before travel
• Latest: 15 days before departure
• Recommended: Apply 4-6 weeks before your trip6

After Your Visa is Approved

Your visa sticker will display:

• Validity period: The dates between which you can enter the Schengen Area
• Duration of stay: Maximum days allowed (up to 90 days within 180 days)
• Number of entries: Single, double, or multiple entry
• Territorial validity: Usually “États Schengen” (Schengen States) unless restricted

At border control: Immigration officers may ask about your trip purpose, accommodation, return ticket, and financial means. Carry printed copies of your hotel bookings, return flight ticket, travel insurance, and sufficient funds.

The 90/180 rule: You can stay maximum 90 days in any 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined.6 Overstaying results in fines, deportation, and bans on future Schengen visas.

Extending your stay: Schengen tourist visas cannot be extended except in extraordinary circumstances (serious illness, force majeure). Plan your trip duration carefully before applying.

If Your Visa is Refused

If your application is rejected, you’ll receive a written refusal letter stating the reason based on the standardized EU refusal form (Annex VI of the Visa Code).1 Common causes include insufficient documentation, unclear travel purpose, inadequate financial proof, or doubts about your intention to return to China.

Your options after refusal:

1. Reapply with corrected documentation: There is no waiting period. Address the specific issues mentioned in the refusal letter and submit a new application with complete documentation. The visa fee must be paid again.

2. File an appeal (recours): You can contest the decision through the Commission de Recours contre les Refus de Visa in Nantes, France. This must be done within two months of receiving the refusal. Appeals should be in French and must include the original refusal letter.

The visa fee is non-refundable regardless of the decision.2 The TLScontact service charge may be refundable in specific circumstances outlined in their terms of service.

Improving your reapplication:

• Carefully review the refusal reasons
• Strengthen weak areas (financial proof, travel plans, ties to China)
• Provide additional supporting documents
• Consider consulting with a visa consultant if refused multiple times
• Never submit false documents, as this can result in permanent bans

With a 93.9% approval rate for Chinese citizens, most well-prepared applicants succeed.3 France’s strong approval rate demonstrates that thorough preparation leads to success.