How to obtain a visa for France from Lebanon: instructions

Written by: Jean-Joseph Rivouchy
Date: 10/09/2024

Are you coming to Marseille to attend your cousin’s wedding? Do you need to perform on stage in Paris at a World Music Festival? Are you taking an exam in Lyon to join a top business school? Are you participating in an international food expo in Villepinte or simply want to enjoy a sightseeing trip?
You may probably need a visa to travel to France.
We provide you with all the useful information to facilitate your application process from Lebanon.

How to apply for a French visa from Lebanon:

Why do Lebanese citizens need a visa for France?

Lebanon, like a hundred other countries, does not have a visa waiver agreement with the European Union, which is why Lebanese citizens need to apply for a visa to enter the Schengen area, including France.

What are the different types of visas to enter France?

The type of visa you need depends on the duration of your stay and its purpose.

  • For stays under 3 months with usual purposes, you will need a short-stay type C visa, also known as a Schengen visa
  • For stays over 3 months, you will need to apply for a long-stay type D visa or national visa

Note!
While Lebanese citizens do not need an airport transit visa (ATV) if they are transiting through a French airport and staying in the international zone, they must apply for one if transiting through the international zones of certain European airports (notably in Germany and the Czech Republic).
We advise you to inquire directly with the authorities of the Schengen countries where you will be making a stopover.

→ Learn more about the different types of visas for the Schengen area

The short-stay or Schengen visa

1- The Schengen visa (also known as type C) is suitable for the most common travel purposes: tourism, business trips, family or friend visits, short-term training or internships, and participation in sports or cultural events

2- It allows entry, travel, and stays in all Schengen member countries (including France) for up to 90 days within any 180-day period

3- It is valid for 1 or 2 entries into the Schengen area.
Those who frequently travel to France or other Schengen countries should apply for a multiple-entry visa, which can be granted for durations between 6 months and 5 years.

4- The Schengen visa is uniform: its criteria are the same regardless of the Schengen country where the application is submitted. It has the same validity and confers the same rights, regardless of the issuing Schengen country.

5- It must be applied for in the country of entry into the Schengen area or where you intend to stay the longest.

The national long-stay visa (type D)

Long-stay visas (over 90 days) are national and vary from one country to another. The French long-stay visa is granted for periods from 3 to 12 months and is required for studies, work, or family reasons.

→ How to apply for a long-stay visa for France

How to apply for a visa to France from Lebanon?

Important Information

• The France-visas website is the official visa site for France. It provides all resources to inform, guide, and assist you through your visa application journey to France.

• It has a dedicated page for Lebanon.

• The France-visas tool is an online assistant that will tell you, after answering a few questions, if you need a visa and which one to apply for in your case.
Your visa application involves 6 steps:

  1. Check your visa requirements
    Visit the France-visas website to determine if you need a visa and which one to apply for.
  2. Submit your application online
    • log in or create a France-visas account with a valid email address
    • fill in the online form with your personal details and travel purpose
    • print the form and take note of the list of required documents and visa fees

Note: consular services in Beirut also process applications for Syria and Estonia.

1. Make an appointment to submit your application

  • log in or create an account on TLScontact to schedule an appointment
  • receive a pre-booking email. Confirm it by paying the service fee at an OMT office within 72 hours of booking

Attention: TLScontact is the only official site for booking an appointment. Beware of fraudulent websites.

2. Submit your application

  • go to the TLScontact center with:
    • the printed, signed form
    • your passport
    • supporting documents (originals and copies)
    • the appointment confirmation email
    • the visa fees in euros
  • An agent will verify your application, collect your biometric data (unless it was collected within the last 59 months for another visa application, or if the applicant is under 12 years old), and collect the fees

3. Track the progress of your application

  • check the France-visas and TLScontact websites to follow the status of your application

4. Collect your passport

  • you will receive an email and SMS when your passport is ready for collection at the visa center.
  • If the visa is granted, it will be affixed to your passport. In case of refusal, you will receive the reasons and possible appeals with your passport.

Where to apply for a visa for France from Lebanon?

In Lebanon, TLScontact, a specialized private company, manages information and welcomes visa applicants for France. Their website has a page dedicated to Lebanon, and their only visa center is located in Beirut. This is where you should submit your application.

Important: TLScontact does not process or issue visas. They forward applications to the French Consulate General in Beirut, which reviews and decides on visa issuance.

When to apply for a visa for France from Lebanon?

Short-stay visa: you can submit your application up to 6 months before your planned travel date. Processing time by French consular services is typically 2 weeks, but it may be longer during high-demand periods.
The wait time for an appointment at the TLScontact center can also extend up to 2 weeks.
It is recommended to start your application well in advance, at least 6 weeks before your departure date.

Long-stay visa: applications can be submitted 3 months before your planned travel date. Necessary verifications can take longer for long-stay visas, potentially extending the processing time. Start your application as early as possible, at least 8 to 10 weeks before your departure date.

What documents are needed for a visa for France?

The documents required for a Schengen visa vary depending on the applicant’s personal situation. The exact list relevant to your personal case will be provided at the end of the online application process on the France-visas website.

Here are some of the documents you may need to provide:

Documents required for all applicants:

  • Completed, printed, and signed visa application form
  • Your passport (or other travel document recognized by French authorities)
  • A passport photo meeting international standards ICAO
  • A travel insurance certificate for visa:

Obtaining travel insurance for a visa is required by the European Union for issuing a Schengen visa. It is therefore mandatory and must meet precise criteria defined in Article 15 of the Visa Code of the Union:

  • it must cover medical expenses, emergency hospitalization, medical repatriation, or in case of death, with a minimum of 30,000 EUR
  • it must be valid in all Schengen countries (even if you are only traveling to France)
  • it must cover you for the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen area
  • it must be approved by the consular services of all Schengen countries
  • How to obtain travel insurance for a French visa

Documents that vary based on the applicant's situation:

- Documents proving that you intend to leave the Schengen area at the end of your stay (such as a booked transport ticket)

- Documents justifying the purpose of your trip (as mentioned in your visa application):

  • a personalized invitation letter written by a family member or friend, along with proof of your relationship with this person
  • proof of professional or business relationships with people or companies you plan to meet for work
  • confirmation of an organized tour booking
  • invitation or ticket for a congress, conference, or cultural or sports event

- Documents related to your accommodation in France:

  • booking of an organized trip or tour
  • hotel reservation or other accommodation booking
  • proof of accommodation written by the person with whom you plan to stay

- Documents proving your means of subsistence during your stay:

  • proof of income (such as pay slips)
  • a statement of financial support from a third party, if applicable

- Documents proving that you plan to return to Lebanon at the end of your stay:

  • property deed or rental agreement for your home
  • school enrollment certificate for you or your children
  • employment contract

Important: Bring copies of these documents with you during your trip, as they may be requested at the border control when you arrive in France.

How much does a visa for France cost?

The visa fees charged by the French government (which are the same for all Schengen countries) fully apply to individuals over the age of 12, are half-priced for children between 6 and 12 years old, while children under 6 years old (and spouses of French nationals) are exempt.
Additionally, service fees are charged by TLScontact.

The cost of a visa is therefore the sum of the visa fee and the service fees.

→ To learn more, you can check the Schengen visa fee table.

Why choose AXA Schengen insurance for your visa to France?

AXA Schengen insurance has been designed to fully comply with European Union criteria to be accepted for a visa application:

  • it covers medical expenses, hospitalization, and repatriation in case of illness or death for a minimum amount of 30,000 EUR (up to 100,000 EUR depending on the selected plan)
  • it is valid at least in all Schengen area countries (and in some other European countries depending on the chosen option)
  • approved by all European consular services issuing Schengen visas, it will be systematically accepted for a visa application
  • it reimburses all incurred expenses without applying any excess
  • it can be refunded in case of a visa refusal
  • its online subscription is simple, fast, and immediate
  • a certificate of insurance is automatically sent by email, allowing you to attach it to your visa application without delay

It is available in 3 plans to suit various needs and budgets: Low cost, Europe Travel, and Multi Trip.

Feel free to compare the benefits of each AXA Schengen visa insurance plan to find the one that best suits your travel project.

You can get a free, no-obligation quote in just a few seconds!

Learn more about the visa for France
 

FAQ
 

Where can I apply for a visa to France from Lebanon?

The first part of the application is done online on the France-visas website. Then, your file must be submitted at the TLScontact center in Beirut, authorized by the French consular authorities.

What should I do if my visa application for France is refused?

If your visa is refused, you will receive a written notification specifying the reasons for the refusal and possible appeals. For certain formal reasons, you may simply submit a corrected new application. For more serious reasons, you will need to follow the appeal process to request a review of the decision.
How to avoid a refusal? Follow our guide.

What is the waiting time to get a visa for France?

Typically, it takes about 2 weeks to schedule an appointment to submit your file at TLScontact, and another 2 weeks for processing by the French authorities. These times may be longer during certain periods. It is recommended to start your application 6 to 8 weeks before your planned departure date.

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