France Visa In Nigeria

It’s no secret that Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and most likely to host the upcoming 2016 Olympic games, is a hub of Foreign tourists. Nigeria receives more than 80% of foreign tourists as compared to its neighbors who get a tiny percentage from the neighboring countries of Nigeria. So if you’re planning your vacation next year – or just want to learn more about traveling to Nigeria – I suggest you check out this blog post for the details on how you should apply for a France Visa in Nigeria.

If you want to apply for a visa to France, Nigeria would probably be the best option for you. The good thing about Nigeria is that you can get your visa (called a “visa-free entry”) in Lagos, which is the economic capital of Nigeria. You will be able to invest your money even more than usual because there has been a lot of development and growth being done in the last few years by Nigerians and other international investors who have opened up businesses across Africa including Nigeria.

France Visa In Nigeria

Applying for a France Schengen Visa from Nigeria

To apply for a France Schengen visa from Nigeria, you need to submit a visa application along with supporting documents to VFS Global in Abuja or Lagos. VFS Global receives applications on behalf of the Embassy of France in Abuja. However, it is the embassy that processes applications and makes the decision about whether to grant the visa or not.

Types of Schengen visas offered at the Embassy of France and VFS Global in Nigeria

There are 3 types of visas available:

1. Short-stay visa for tourism, business and family trips etc., for up to 90 days
2. Airport transit visa if you will remain in the international zone of the airport while you wait for a connecting flight
3. Long-stay visa for tourism, to carry out a professional activity, education or to join family members for over 90 days

It is important that you apply for the correct type of visa, otherwise, your application could be rejected.

How Can I Apply for a Schengen Visa from VFS Global in Nigeria?

Visa processing times vary depending on the nationality of the applicant, the purpose of the stay and the local visa issuing conditions.

To apply for a short-stay visa, the application must be submitted at least two weeks before your trip, however, it can not be submitted more than 6 months prior to your planned visit. It is your responsibility to take the necessary precautions in terms of respecting deadlines when an appointment system is in place.

1. For short-stay visa applications, please submit your application at least 15 days before your planned departure date
2. For long-stay visa applications, please allow at least 1 month between submitting your application and your planned departure date

To begin your application, go to VFS Global’s website and click on “start now”:

On the next page, you will see that there are 7 steps to follow when applying for a visa:

1. Step 1 – Identify your visa type
2. Step 2 – Begin your application
3. Step 3 – Book an appointment
4. Step 4 – Pay your fees
5. Step 5 – Visit an application center
6. Step 6 – Track your application
7. Step 7 – Collect your passport

Step 1 – Identify your visa type

Under Step 1, click on the link for France Visas:On France Visas website, you can use their Visa wizard if you are unsure as to whether you need a visa for France. The wizard will also tell you what documents must be enclosed with your application, along with the relevant fee.

Click on: “Do you need a visa”:

Just key in the requested information and you will know which visa you need to apply for:

Step 2 – Begin your application

On the FRANCE-VISAS website, click on “2. Start your visa application”:

Read the instructions and click on: “Access the visa application”:

Create an account and then log in to complete your application:

Answer the questions online (your visa application form will be automatically filled in and available for printing). At the end of the visa application form filling process, a list of supporting documents and the visa fees will be displayed. Then you are invited to click on the France-Visas page to get the necessary information regarding appointments.

Supporting documents

You should look at the document checklists on France Visas website because each type of visa has different requirements. If you miss anything and fail to submit everything you need, it could jeopardize your application.

You should also prepare photocopies as well as providing the original documents, so don’t forget to do that too.

Documents include:

1. A travel document, issued less than 10 years ago, containing at least two blank pages, with a period of validity at least 3 months longer than the date on which you intend to leave the Schengen Area or, in the case of a long stay, at least three months longer than the expiry date of the visa requested. Be sure to transmit (scan) ALL PAGES of your travel document containing visas, entry and exit stamps or any other inscription
2. ID photograph
3. If you are not a national of your country of residence: proof that you are legally resident in that country (e.g. residence permit)
4. Purpose of travel/stay – reservation confirmation of an organised trip or any other document describing the planned programme and a return airline ticket reservation or travel itinerary
5. Travel medical insurance
6. Accommodation – reservation of a hotel or sufficient resources to cover hotel expenses (to the amount of €120/day) or a tenancy agreement or certificate of ownership. If staying with a private individual : proof of accommodation (Cerfa form)
7.  Proof of financial income – 3 last bank accounts statements, pay slips, evidence of pension
8. Socio-professional situation – employment contract, certificate of employment, extract from the trade and companies’ register, school attendance certificate, proof of pension) and any documents demonstrating the applicant’s personal links to the country of residence (e.g. copy of marriage certificate, family record book).
9. Letter of invitation along with host’s ID and/or residence permit (if applicable)

If you’re planning to obtain your flight reservation for visa without paying for the ticket, all you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:

1. Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
2.  Submit the travel details and make the payment online
3. Receive flight itinerary in email

Step 3 – Book an appointment

Making appointments with the embassy, consulate or visa application center is generally free and can be done yourself. However, If you are running short of time or not sure which consulate to apply to or have no idea on how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!

Booking a visa appointment using our services is pretty simple! All you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:

1. Visit the link to schedule the visa appointment
2. Submit the appointment details, the visa you are applying for, consulate you need the appointment for, the country you need the appointment IN and make the payment
3. Receive appointment confirmation in email

You can also make an appointment on your own by following the steps below.

1. Go to VFS Global’s website and click on the link under “Step 3 – Book an appointment”
2. Click on the option that applies to you
3. If you have already filled in an application form on France-Visas website, click on the link (if not, follow the instructions that are relevant to you
4. Register as a new user
5. Log in to make a convenient appointment

Step 4 – Pay your fees

Visa fees must be paid in local currency at the VFS center and you can pay by card or cash. The amount to be paid is 80 euros (€), or about 39,526 NAIRA and €99/46,487 NAIRA for long-stay visas. Visa fees are not reimbursed even if your application is refused or you withdraw your application.

There is also a service of  40 EUR per visa applicant which is paid to VFS Global. In local currency, this amount is approximately 19760 NGN. The service fees must be paid online.

VFS Global offers optional services, click here to find out more.

Step 5 – Visit an application center

You must appear in person to submit your application to VFS Global. On the day of your appointment remember the following things:

1. Aim to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment.
2. You must attend the appointment for your visa application in person

You will also submit biometric information which is a scan of your fingerprints and a photograph. Without biometrics information, your visa application will not be processed.

Remember to take the following items:

1. Print out of the PDF letter confirming the details of your appointment
2. Valid passport or travel documents
3. Printout of your completed France-Visas application form along with its receipt
4. The France-Visas form and receipt are obtained after successfully completing your application
5. All supporting documents
6. If you have purchased additional services online, the printout of your receipt

You may be asked questions about your application. Typical questions include:

1. Have you been to Europe before?
2. Are you going to work in France?
3. Who are you going to France with?
4. What do you do in Nigeria?

Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!

Step 6 – Track your application

You will receive an email update and an SMS when your passport has been returned to VFS Global. However, you can track your visa application status online. Click on the “track application” tab:

On the next page, click on the link:

Key in your reference number and last name:

Step 7 – Collect your passport

After your passport has been returned to VFS Global, it will then be sent to your home address via courier.

The decision will be either:

1. Approved – your visa will be inside your passport
2. Rejected – this would have been for a specific reason and you can appeal the decision

Common rejection reasons include:

1. Supporting documents not provided – you need to provide a range of supporting documents along with your visa application, so check what you need to submit before your visit VFS Global
2. Passport is not valid – if your passport is not valid in any way (see above), you should get a new one before applying for your visa
3. You applied for the wrong visa – you must apply for the correct visa, so check which one you need before applying
4. Lack of funds – you must be able to afford your trip and the documents you provide such as bank statements must prove this