France Visa requirements for Kenyans: These are the types of France visas Kenyans can apply for:
- France Tourist Schengen Visa
- France Visa for Business Purposes
- France Visa for Culture, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes
- France Visa for Members of Official Delegations
- France Visa for Study, Training, Research, or other types of Internship Purposes
- France Visa For The Wife/Husband of a French citizen
- France Airport Transit Visa
- France Visa for Underage Children
1. France Tourist Schengen Visa for Kenyan citizens
This visa is also known as a Schengen short-stay visa. It’s valid for six months and allows a person to stay in one country for up to 90 days. Ideal for Kenyans visiting France as tourists, visiting family and friends.
France Visa Requirements for Kenyans Tourist: Schengen Visa requirements for Kenyan citizens as of 2019.
1.A Kenyan passport that is valid for at least three months and has at least two blank pages. If you have a previous passport that has expired or been canceled, please carry it when submitting your application. Also, carry copies of your previous visas.
2. Invitation letter with the address and phone number from family member or sponsor – if applicable.
3. Your bank statements of the last 6 months; This is essential for you to show proof of financial stability. You can also present copies of your income tax returns or the last three month’
4. 2 recent passport-sized color photographs. Please check out the photo specifications here.
5. Cover letter; This cover letter must be well written and formatted clearly. It must mention the reason you are visiting France, how your trip is being funded, your itinerary and our intention to return to Kenya after your holiday.
6. Proof of Accommodation; here you will provide your hotel reservation with a payment guarantee.
7. Travel itinerary including a copy of a photocopy of return ticket or flight reservation
8. Copy of your travel insurance policy.
9. The Visa Application form must be fully completed and signed in the corresponding blanks
France Visa Requirements for Kenyans: How long is the France Tourist Schengen Visa valid for?
France Tourist Schengen Visa is commonly valid for stays no more than 90 days. If you will be traveling to other Schengen countries, it’s recommendable to fill in the “multiple entry” gap in the application form. This way you will be able to enter and leave Schengen Zone as you please for the amount of time allowed on your visa issued.
How long does it take to receive the France Tourist Schengen Visa?
It is advisable to apply for a France Tourist Schengen Visa at least 3 months prior to the planned trip. The France Embassy In Kenya will then reply within 7 working days. Depending on the situation, proceeding time might take up to two months if there is something extraordinary about the individual case or any political situation is on the go.
France Visa Requirements for Kenyans: Tourist Schengen Visa Fees For Kenyan Citizens
For a France Tourist Schengen Visa, the fee is 60 Euros which is equivalent to Ksh 7,188.26. Children of 6-11 age pay 35 Euros which equals Ksh 4,192.93. Please note that if you are married to a French citizen, you will not need to pay for visa fees.
N/ B: Exchange rates are subject to change.
2. France Schengen Business Visa
This is for Kenyans who are traveling to France for business purposes. With this visa, you can stay for no longer than 3 months 90 days per year in between the period of 6 months. Below are the documents you need to have before applying for it.
1. A Kenyan passport that is valid for at least three months and has at least two blank pages. If you have a previous passport that has expired or been canceled, please carry it when submitting your application. Also, carry copies of your previous visas.
2. Copy of the reservation of the return ticket for the time intended to be traveling. It is not recommendable to buy the ticket before getting the visa, if not necessary.
2 recent passport-sized color photographs. Please check out the photo specifications here.
3. Copy of your travel visa insurance policy.
4. A cover letter explaining the purpose of the business visit to France
5. A short profile of your working place (company/organization)
6. Memorandum and Article of Association in original certified copy /or a copy of Trade License (first issued and present renewal)/ Proprietorship/Partnership documents.
7. Bank statements for 6 months
8. A letter from your employer describing the purpose of the travel as well as the itinerary of the days to be spent in France.
9. Invitation letter. This letter has to appear as an invitation to attend meetings or other relevant events matching trade, industry or work.
10. Return Flight ticket reservations
11. Proof of Accommodation reservation
12. If there were previous trade relations between the two companies, provide a proof in such an event.
13. The Visa Application form must be fully completed and signed in the corresponding blanks.
How long is the France Business visa valid for?
France business visa is commonly valid for stays no more than 90 days. If you will be traveling to other Schengen countries, it’s recommendable to fill in the “multiple entry” gap in the application form. This way you will be able to enter and leave Schengen Zone as you please for the amount of time allowed on your visa issued.
How long does it take to receive the France Schengen Business visa?
It is advisable to apply for a France Schengen Business Visa at least 3 months prior to the planned trip. The France Embassy In Kenya will then reply within 7 working days. Depending on the situation, proceeding time might take up to two months if there is something extraordinary about the individual case or any political situation is on the go.
France Business Schengen Visa Fees For Kenyan Citizens
For a France Business Schengen Visa, the fee is 60 Euros which is equivalent to Ksh 7,188.26.
3. France Student Schengen Visa for Kenyan Citizens
This type of visa is issued to Kenyan students who have already been accepted by accredited French learning institutions. Below are the documentations needed to be set before you apply for this type of visa.
1. A Kenyan passport that is valid for at least three months and has at least two blank pages
2. Proof of financial stability while studying in France. You may present the following as a proof :
- A personal bank statement indicating your financial movements (for at least 3 last months)
- Credit card
- Cash
- Traveler’s cheques
- Payslips
- Proof of employment
- Supporting document to attest sponsor’s readiness to cover your expenses during your stay
- Proof of prepaid accommodation
- Document about accommodation in private
- Proof of prepaid transport
3. Proof regarding your accommodation. This is not necessarily required in case the students prove that he/she will have sufficient funds to maintain themselves during their stay in France.
3. 2 recent passport-sized color photographs. Please check out the photo specifications here.
4. Travel itinerary
5. Medical/travel insurance valid for your entire stay in France
6. Letter of acceptance from your university
7. A bank receipt to prove you have paid the processing fee
How long is the France Student Schengen Visa valid for?
The France Student Schengen visa is commonly valid for 90 days. However, for the students who are planning to study in France, it is mandatory to apply for a residency permit once you arrive.
The great thing about the residency permit is that it allows you to freely travel through the 26 Schengen countries without any additional documents needed. The residency permit is stamped in your passport. The Student Schengen visa validity is predetermined by the authorities the day you are issued the visa.
How to Apply for a France Visa
1. Use “Visa wizard” to check the type of Visa you need. The wizard will also tell you what documents must be enclosed with your application, along with the relevant fee.
2. Once you have confirmed the type of visa you need, complete your application on this portal. You will be asked to create a France-Visas account, which you will need for each step of the process.
3. Once you have completed your online application, all you have to do is to print the application form and submit it to the French Embassy in Nairobi.
The Visas are issued in a minimum period of 7 working days. It is advised to submit the application at least 15 working days before the intended date of travel and no more than 3 months before the travel date.
Submitting applications: from Monday to Thursday between 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Collecting passports: Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m
N/ B: Applications cannot be submitted more than three months before your planned departure, but it should be at least two weeks before the intended departure date.
Tracking your Visa application status
French Embassy in Nairobi Contacts
Peponi Gardens, off Peponi Road
Westlands
P. O Box 41784 Nairobi
Kenya
Phone : (+254) 20 760 55 55