Green card holders in America do not get to enjoy visa-free travel to France unlike the citizens of the United States. You need to apply for a visa to France with the local French consulate in the US before you are allowed to visit France for either tourism or business purpose.
Update : It is now mandatory to get COVID Insurance when you travel Abroad. Click the below link to get your COVID Insurance at cost price.
The French consulate had the highest visa rejection rate when compared to other countries with a rejection rate of 11.13 percent.
So make sure that you have all the documents in place and you are sure you need to apply at the French consulate and do not make any expensive bookings in advance before your visa is approved.
Where and how to apply for France Schengen visa in the United States?
Once you are sure that you need to apply for Schengen visa at the French consulate, you have to then select at which consulate of France in the United States you need to apply
Update : It is now mandatory to get COVID Insurance when you travel Abroad. Click the below link to get your COVID Insurance at cost price.
There are ten French Consulates General in major American cities, one being attached to the Embassy in Washington, DC.
To know which consulate of France you need to apply to visit https://franceintheus.org/spip.php?article330.You will see a grey map of America. Select your state from the map.
We have selected Florida (FL) in this example. This is highlighted in blue above.
You will then be taken to the French consulate page, In our case, Florida has its French consulate in Miami.
If the language is by default selected as French and you want the website in English, then select English as highlighted in red.
How to apply for France Schengen visa in the United States
We suggest that you make sure that there is an appointment slot available for you before you begin collecting your documents. If there is no date available then you can apply at a different consulate by changing your plan slightly.
Make an appoint 1 week in advance and then start preparing Schengen visa documents. Further in this article we have explained in detail how you can get all the documents you need for your Schengen visa in record time
To make an appointment with the French consulate, You will need to click the below section
You will then be then taken to the Visa for France page. The link to make appointments varies from each consulate Select the appropriate link from below.
Link to make an appointment with the consulates
Get France visa appointment – Chicago
Get France visa appointment – Washington D.C
Get France visa appointment – New York
Get France visa appointment – Vancouver
Get France Schengen visa appointment – Montreal
Get France visa appointment – San Francisco
Get France visa appointment – Toronto
Get France visa appointment – Miami
Get France visa appointment – Los Angeles
Get France visa appointment – Houston
Get France visa appointment – Boston
Get France visa appointment – Atlanta
Once you have booked an appointment, you will get an appointment number and a confirmation of your appointment can be printed out.
Click to see sample appointment booking for France visa
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some Notes as per the French consulate
Documents needed for France Schengen visa from America
Here is a summary of the documents you need to submit for France Schengen visa for green cardholders.
- Passport
- Photographs
- Permanent Residence Permit card
- Completed Schengen visa form
- Flight itinerary
- Hotel bookings
- Schengen visa insurance
- Proof of sustenance
- Cover letter
- Letter of employment(if employed)
- Company registration(if self-employed)
- Letter from college (for students)
You need to submit a photocopy as well as an original of all the documents to the visa consulate.
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Duly filled Schengen visa application form – Need help with filling the application form? You can download our guidefor step by step video instructions to fill your Schengen visa.
Download Schengen visa application form here
Passport with at least two blank pages and valid for at least three months after you return to the United States of America.
Two photographs as per the spec mentioned by photo specification for visa application.
A valid U.S. permanent residence card (“green card”) or a valid US visa with valid I-94 / valid I-20 (+ ONE COPY),or an Advance Parole document. The applicant must bring the original green card or US VISA together with photocopies of those documents too.
Students with an F1 visa must present the original and a copy of their I-20 properly endorsed for travel (a certification signature is only valid for one year). The validity of the travel endorsement must cover the intended trip in Schengen + 3 months.
A confirmed Flight itinerary or reservation for SchengenvisaFlight itinerary is a safer way of submitting a visa application without buying an actual flight ticket which can prove to be expensive if your visa is refused.
What is a flight itinerary? Is it accepted by the Schengen consulate ?
Of course, in fact all the embassies mention the same. We have added links to the official visa pages which you can verify.
France Consulate
Yourtravel itinerary: you MUST BOOK your airline ticket but do not purchase until the visa has been approved.
We recommend that you do not purchase travel tickets until your visa has been approved. On the other hand, you may provide us with a reservation, a planned itinerary or an online printout of a roundtrip ticket.
Netherland Consulate
Travel reservation to and from Schengen area, not a ticket. Note: Make travel reservation which you can cancel
Flight (roundtrip)/travel reservations and full itinerary (if several Schengen States will be visited or if the trip covers several Schengen States and non-Schengen countries) with the name of passenger and one copy
Round trip ticket/reservation, originating in this jurisdiction to Europe (and ultimately to Italy) and back, including internal entry and exit points of travel i.e. EURORAIL tickets, car rental, internal flights. The names on reservations have to reflect the names on passports.
(Video) SCHENGEN Visa from the USA (How to apply, Documents Required, Cost ) | Europe tourist visa 2022
We can provide you with flight itineraries which is accepted by not only for Schengen visa but for all visas. We have customers using the same flight itinerary for Malaysia visa, Singapore visa, India visa, UK visa etc.
In fact the European union visa requirements for visa states the same.
As per the official document,
Round trip reservation or itinerary with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Schengen state. Schengen authorities accept the itinerary when applying for the visa but request the original air ticket when visa is collected.
That is why we have 100% visa acceptance rate although some of our customer have been requestedto provide “additional documents”, none of their visa has been rejected for providing fake documents. With 80% of our customers being return customers or companies which process visas for their employees/clients, our approach is the best approach if you want to ensure the safety of your visa.
This is our orders screen for this month. Most of the orders have been placed by repeat customers.
The best part about our service is along with getting a flight reservation without payment, you can also get confirmed hotel bookings, personal cover letter, leave/no objection letter for your visa consulates.
Proof of accommodation such as hotel bookingsWe would not suggest you to make your hotel reservations before your visa is approved. We have seen many customers who make all the bookings thinking they can cancel them once they get their visa only for the visa process to be delayed resulting in huge cancellation fees.
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Proof of sustenance (either as bank statements travel cards, credit cards) to show that you can sustain yourself financially when you are in Europe
Proof of socio-professional status (if you are working) :
- letter of employmentin the U.S confirming your salary, hire date, position and dates of vacation (business registration if self employed)
- and yourlast 2 payslips
- orletter from your school or universityconfirming your enrolment status, attendance and expected graduation date
A medical insurancewith a minimum cover of €43,000 . See our article to gettravel insurance for Schengen visa
Personal Covering letter or travel itineraryexplaining in detail the purpose of the visit. This needs to explain in detail your entire travel plan and all the documents that you have submitted addressing the Embassy in your area.
If the applicant is under 18 years old
If the applicant is under 18 years old:
→ copy of his/her birth certificate + certified translation if the document is not in French or English
If the applicant is under 18 years old and travelling without his parents:
→ notarized copy of his/her birth certificate + certified translation if the document is not in French or English
→ notarized parental authorization from both parents or from the parent exercising full custody of the child according to the divorce decree (a certified copy of the divorce decree must be provided) + copies of both parents passports
If the applicant is under 18 years old and travelling with only one parent:
→ notarized copy of his/her birth certificate + certified translation if the document is not in French or English
→ notarised parental authorisation from the non-travelling the parent + copy of his passport
That is it . Once you have accumulated all the documents, you can apply at the Schengen consulate of your main destination.
How long does it take for your Schengen visa to be processed ?
Well to be honest, it depends on the country you are the citizen of . IF your citizenship is from one of the “good” countries, then your visa will be granted within a week. IF you are from a “naughty” country then your visa application can take 2 to 3 weeks. If you are holding a green card in America and applying for Schengen visa from one of the below countries, expect some delay :
If you are from India, China Russia etc then you will get your visa sooner. So account for delay when you are planning your visa.
Can you apply for France Schengen visa from America if you hold a B1 or B2 visa ?
No, if you are in the US with a B1 or B2 visa, then you need to apply for France Schengen visa in the country where you hold your full citizenship. You cannot apply for Schengen visa within the United States.
FAQ about France Schengen visa by US permanent residents
Will all Schengen visas be granted for 90 days ?
No,Schengen visa is not granted for 90 days, sometimes you will get visa only for the number of days that you present in your travel itinerary and your flight & hotel bookings . See the sample attached below . The visa is granted for 15 days mentioned in the dates. If you want you can add some flexibility by adding 10 days to your itinerary. You can do this by using our flight +hotel plan
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What questions might be asked during my interview ?
Who will pay for your visit?
Are you married? If yes, what does your spouse do? For how long have been married?
Do you have any children? If yes, how old are they, what do they do and where are they?
Do you have any close family or friends in the Schengen area.? If yes, when did you meet the last time?
Where do you stay?
What is your educational qualification?
How will you travel from one place to another?
How do you guarantee me that you will come back?
Which company do you work for?
What does your company do?
What is your profession?
What is your role in the company?
How many years of total experience you have?
For how long are you employed with your current employer?
For how long were you employed with your previous employer?
Could you please show me your company profile and tax returns?
How many employees are there in your company?
Explain your current project to me.
That is it. Once your interview is over, your visa will be sent to you either through mail along with your passport . That is it .You are now ready to embark on your visa journey.
Why should I take the flight &hotel from you ?
Because we are the best in this business. We have been in operation from the past 5 years and in those years we have processed over 100,000 orders such as yours. Here is a screenshot of our sales this month alone
But the interesting part is over 50% of our customers are referred by previous customers
Do I have to purchase the same ticket from you once my visa is approved or can I make my own bookings ?
No,
Once you get your visa you can make your own bookings and no need to worry about the bookings you make with us. You are free to make your own plans. we will handle all the cancellation charges and you will not need to pay anything extra.
Can I see a sample flight itinerary and hotel bookings
Our documents can change based on the availability of the agent
This is our flight booking sample
Our hotel booking sample
[pdf-embedder url=”https://travelvisabookings.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Hotel-Riu-Costa-Lago-All-Inclusive-Torremolinos-Mar-17-Itinerary-7160682756408.pdf” title=”Hotel reservation for visa application”]
Our Insurance Sample
[pdf-embedder url=”https://travelvisabookings.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/insurance-templates.pdf” title=”Insurance Sample for Schengen tourist visa”]
Can I make changes once I place the order ?
Yes 100%. Each purchase on travelvisabookings will be given a minimum of 3 changes. If you have made a mistake in your order or want to change your travel plan, then drop us an email and we will make the changes for you
Can I add more traveller names in my itinerary ?
Yes 100%. For a small fee, you can add your co-traveller’s names in your plan. Also, as a policy we will add children below 15 year in your order for free !!
How can travelvisabookings.com book a flight ticket without paying for them ?
We use corporate services to create itineraries and hold flight bookings for you.
Is travelvisabookings a scam ?
Well our competitors would like you to believe so . There has been a lot of propaganda on social media trying to book us as scam. But we are providing the exact service as them for over 5 years . We would advice them to work with the same enthusiasm on their website to improve it and challenge us with customer support.
Is paying through travelvisabookings secure ?
Yes 100%. We do not save any of your card or Paypal information. All your payments happens on the payment gateway and we get only the payment confirmation. We do not save any of your information on our website except your check out form
What if my plans get cancelled ?
Then you will get 70% refund from our end.
Can you apply for Schengen visa from USA while you are on B1/B2 visa ?
Unfortunately, no you cannot apply for Schengen visa with B1/B2 visa from the US. You will need to go back to your country of origin and apply from there.
FAQs
Can US green card holders travel to France? ›
French Visa For US Green Card Holders
US green card holders from countries exempt from a Schengen Visa can visit France visa-free.
Do Green Card Holders Need a Visa to Travel to Europe? US Green Card holders, who are also nationals of third countries that have not established a visa-free regime with the EU, will need to obtain a Schengen Visa, in order to be able to travel to Europe.
Can US green card holders travel to Europe? ›Yes, you can travel abroad as a green card holder — that's one of the many benefits of being a permanent resident. However, your trip must be temporary and you cannot remain outside the United States for more than 1 year.
How do you answer the number of stays planned in France for the coming year? ›Enter the total number of days of your stay in the Schengen area. If you are planning several consecutive stays, calculate the total number of days of your different stays. The duration of stay must not exceed 90 days per half-year. Select the number of entries required in the Schengen area for the period planned.
Can I travel to Schengen countries with US green card? ›Unlike US citizens, US Green Card Holders (like me) need to apply for a Schengen Visa to visit the Schengen Area. It's worth mentioning that US Green Card Holders can apply for their visas within the US. They don't need to travel back to their home country to apply from there.
Which countries can I visit with US green card? ›- Canada.
- Mexico.
- Costa Rica.
- Georgia.
- The British Virgin Islands.
- Aruba and Curaçao.
- The Balkans.
- Singapore.
American citizens traveling to the Schengen Area for fewer than 90 days do not need to apply for a visa. From the end of 2022, they will need to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver before travel, which can be obtained online and will cost €7 ($7.82).
How long does it take to get a visa to France with green card? ›Tracking your application and collecting your passport
Visa applications are generally processed within 15 days. This period can be extended up to 45 days in particular cases if the examination of the application justifies it.
You may enter the Schengen area, including France, for up to 90 days for tourist and business purposes without a visa. Immigration officers may also request you show sufficient funds for your intended stay and a return airline ticket.
Do US green card holders need visa for Germany? ›US residents that need Germany visa
Foreigners in US with a residence permit (US Green card holders) with validity shorter than three months beyond their planned date of leaving Germany will have to obtain a visa in order to be permitted to enter Germany.
Can I fly with a green card and no passport? ›
To travel, you usually need your permanent resident card, a valid passport, and whatever visas are required by the country you intend to visit. While the US does not require permanent residents to have a valid passport to re-enter the US, foreign countries and airlines require you to have a passport.
Can I visit Dubai with US green card? ›All Indian citizens holding U.S. visas, green cards, U.K Resident Permits, or EU resident permits can receive entry visa upon arrival to UAE valid for 14 days for a charge of AED 100. They have the option to extend their stay only once for an additional 14 days for AED250.
What if I made a mistake on my Schengen visa application? ›What if I make a mistake on my Schengen Visa form - can I correct it? If you made a mistake on your visa application form - you will need to fill out a new one before your appointment at the consulate or visa application center.
How much bank balance do I have to show for a Schengen visa? ›Proof of civil status – birth certificate will suffice. Bank statement – this needs to show a minimum balance of €3000 over the last 6 months.
Which European country gives visa easily? ›Estonia is the easiest country to get a Schengen Visa from, with only 1.5% of applications rejected in 2020. This means that 98.5% of the Schengen Visa applications for Estonia received a positive answer. In addition, Estonia ranks no.
Do US green card holders need visa for Switzerland? ›You can visit the country for a maximum of 90 days without getting a visa. US Green Card holders may need to apply for a Switzerland Tourist Visa when visiting the country. This mainly depends on your country of origin. If your country enjoys visa-free travel, you don't need a visa.
Can US green card holders travel to UK? ›As a legal permanent resident of the United States of America, a U.S citizen or a green card holder, you do not need a visa to travel to the United Kingdom IF you are planning to travel to the UK for a short visit for up to 6 months for either business or tourism purposes.
Can US green card travel to Canada? ›As of April 26, 2022, lawful permanent residents of the U.S. must show the following documents for all methods of travel to Canada: a valid passport from their country of nationality (or an equivalent acceptable travel document) and. a valid green card (or equivalent valid proof of status in the United States)
Is it easy to get Schengen visa with US green card holder? ›In case you're a foreign citizen residing in the US with a valid permanent residency permit and a green card or have a valid visa, applying for a Schengen visa from the United States is quite easy.
Does US green card holder need visa to Greece? ›Citizens of countries without a visa waiver deal, including China, India, Russia and all African nations, even those who are permanent residents of the U.S. or Canada or Green Card holders, will require a Greece Schengen Visa to travel to the country.
Which country give green card easily? ›
One of the popular nations on our list for citizenship or residency is none other than New Zealand. The country has a skilled migration program that makes it easier for people to immigrate. However, to move to the destination, criteria such as having an age limit under 55 and work experience are mandatory.
How do I get a 5 year Schengen visa? ›5-year MEV is granted to people that have obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for at least two years within the previous three years. This visa permits you to enter 26 countries in Europe as many times as you wish, within five years, as soon as you do not violate the 90/180 days rule.
What is the easiest visa to get for France? ›A France Schengen visa is issued to foreigners that wish to visit France, the French territories or another Schengen area country for less than 90 days within a 6-month period.
Do I need a visa to go to France 2022? ›You can travel to countries in the Schengen area, which France is part of, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.
How long can a US resident stay in France? ›U.S. citizens planning to enter and visit France as tourists do not require a visa. Citizens are permitted to remain in the country a maximum of 90 days. CAVEAT: There is no provision in our own law for intercession by foreign embassies on behalf of their citizens who wish to circumvent our established procedures.
How can I get French visa from USA? ›- Do you need a visa ? > Test in 3 minutes. > List of supporting documents. ...
- Start your visa application. > Create an account. ...
- Submit your application. > Book an appointment. ...
- Track your application. > Check your application status.
If you wish to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, you have to apply for a German residency permit. Note: (Starting from November 2023, US citizens will have to apply for an ETIAS visa prior to their travel towards Germany and other Schengen member states, in order to be allowed to enter the territory.)
What does green card holder need to travel to Germany? ›German passport with your last entry stamp (no older than 3 months) I-551/Green Card stamp in the German passport that confirms the validity of the Green Card (to be requested from the USCIS Office; the German passport must still be valid)
How long can a green card holder stay outside the United States 2022? ›If you are a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), you may leave the United States multiple times and reenter, if you do not intend to stay outside the United States for 1 year or more.
Can I stay on green card forever? ›A green card provides many advantages, primarily that it allows the green card holder to permanently live and work in the United States, and after a number of years, become a U.S. citizen.
What can green card holders not do? ›
However, green card holders cannot do everything that U.S. citizens can. They cannot vote in U.S. elections. If they try, it could be considered a false claim to U.S. citizenship, and get them deported. Although they're called "permanent" residents, this status isn't permanent for everyone with a green card.
Can I surrender green card and get visitor visa? ›You will need to sign a form confirming your desire to relinquish your status (Form I-407) and surrender your green card. Even though you do not have a visitor's visa in your passport, you can still be admitted as a visitor if you sign Form I-193 - waiving the visa requirement.
Can a US permanent resident travel to Dubai without visa? ›We strongly recommend U.S. citizens plan to arrive in Dubai on a full validity passport.) Personal travel of 30 days or less: A U.S. citizen with a regular passport may obtain a no fee visitor visa upon arrival.
Can green card holders go to Singapore? ›All foreign nations who visit Singapore will need to have an SG Arrival Card. The SG Arrival Card, or SGAC for short, is a type of electronic permit that allows travelers to enter the country, with or without a visa. Both US citizens and US Green Card holders will need the SGAC to travel to Singapore from the US.
Why is France visa rejected? ›One of the reasons the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country might refuse to give you a visa are; Failing to present financial statements, lacking proof of funds for the duration of your stay in Schengen Area and for the return to your home country.
How can I avoid rejection of Schengen visa? ›Not Having All The Correct Documents
Before you fill out your Schengen Visa application form, you need to ensure that you have all the required documents. If you do not provide the correct documents, there is a big possibility that your visa application might be refused.
Which Countries Have The Highest Rejection Rates? According to Schengen Visa Statistic 2021, the 4 countries with the highest rejection rates were: Sweden, Norway, France, and Denmark.
Does France Embassy verify bank statements? ›The Embassy does not check bank statement in case of every applicant.
Does embassy check bank statement? ›Get your bank statements attested
Select countries require applicants to submit their bank statements, duly attested. While it is common to submit bank statements, and most travellers are aware of this step, not having these bank statements attested is a common error.
Proof Of Sufficient Funds To Visit France
If you have a hotel booking/ booked accommodation, you need to show that you have 65 euros per day for daily expenses. If you DO NOT have a hotel booking/ booked accommodation, you need to show that you have 120 euros per day for daily expenses.
Which Schengen country gives visa easily 2022? ›
7. Which Schengen Visa is the easiest to obtain? The easiest country to get a visa to is Lithuania. Almost 98.7% of short-term visa applications for a Schengen Visa to Lithuania received a positive response in 2018.
Which European country gives fastest PR? ›Portugal
What make Portugal the easiest country in Europe to gain citizenship is that there are no physical presence requirements. Meaning you only need to hold your resident permit in order to qualify for naturalization.
Portugal. Portugal is one of the easiest countries to move to if you have enough money. Its Golden Visa scheme allows you to apply for permanent residency after five years. Then you are eligible to apply for citizenship if, after five years are over, you have spent 35 days in Portugal.
Can I go to Spain with a green card? ›Sadly, US Green Card holders do not enjoy the same visa-free travel benefits as US citizens. US Green Card holders will need to apply for a Spain Visa (if their home country doesn't enjoy visa-free travel). Applying for a Spain Visa is a simple and easy process.
When can US residents travel to Europe? ›Much of Europe is open to Americans, including more than two dozen countries without any COVID restrictions at all. However, it's important to double-check before traveling in case requirements change. If you're vaccinated, most countries are open to you as long as you can show proof of vaccination.
How many countries can you travel with green card? ›There are about 36 countries and territories that you can visit with a US green card. The list of VISA-FREE countries for US green card holders is only growing.
Can I travel to Barcelona with a green card? ›Do US permanent Residents need to get a visa to visit Spain? Sadly yes, you need to get a Spain Schengen visa if you would like to visit Spain with a permanent residence or green card. Only full US citizens can visit Europe without a visa.
Which countries Cannot apply for green card? ›List of excluded countries. Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except for Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, Venezuela and Vietnam.
What does a US permanent resident need to travel to Greece? ›Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements
Greece is a party to the Schengen Agreement; therefore, U.S. citizens may enter Greece without a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. For additional details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet.
In general, Lithuania is the easiest country to obtain a Schengen Visa from, with officials granting 98.7% of applications. The nation also receives fewer applications than countries such as Germany or France, as they are extremely popular with tourists and business travellers.
Will you need a visa to travel to Europe in 2022? ›
You do not need a visa for short trips to EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if both of the following apply: you're staying for 90 days or less in a 180-day period. you're visiting as a tourist or for certain other reasons.
Do Americans need visa for 2022 Europe? ›U.S. citizens can travel to the Schengen Area without a visa for up to 90 days. From November 2023 , visa-exempt non-EU nationals, including Americans, will be able to register with ETIAS before departure. The ETIAS for U.S. citizens is not a visa.
Can I travel to Canada with U.S. green card? ›As of April 26, 2022, lawful permanent residents of the United States must show these documents for all methods of travel to Canada: a valid passport from their country of nationality (or an equivalent acceptable travel document) and. a valid green card (or equivalent valid proof of status in the United States)
Do U.S. green card holders need visa for Australia? ›4) Does a US Green Card Holder Need a Visa to Visit Australia? The question of whether you need a visa to visit Australia is dictated by the type of passport you carry and the purpose of your visit to Australia; your status as a U.S. green card holder is irrelevant.
Can I keep my green card if I leave the US? ›Even if you have a green card, you cannot maintain your permanent resident status if you live outside the United States indefinitely and return only for visits. Extended absences will eventually lead port-of-entry staff to question whether you have abandoned your permanent residence.