How to apply for a France Schengen visa from Egypt

One of the most popular destinations in the Schengen area, France attracts tourists and other kinds of travelers from all over the world, including the Middle East. If you are from Egypt, you may need to apply for a France Schengen visa in order to visit Paris and the rest of the country. Recipients of French Schengen visas are able to stay in France for up to 90 days, and even travel around the rest of the 25 other Schengen states. Anyone who is considering applying for a short-stay Schengen visa from Egypt should familiarize themselves with the France visa requirements for Egypt citizens and residents. Today’s blog will detail these, as well as all the other relevant steps to apply for the France Schengen visa from Egypt. 

Steps to apply for a France Schengen Visa from Egypt

• 1. Choose when to apply
  • Apply for your Schengen visa from Egypt in advance of travelling to France (at least 15 days pre-departure) but not so early that your application is rejected (applications submitted more than six months before travel will not be considered eligible for processing). 
• 2. Choose your Schengen visa “type”
  • The multiple available Schengen visa types reflect the main reasons for traveling to the zone; you should select the type that best reflects the purpose of your journey (tourism, studies, medical, etc). 
  • Browse the available Schengen visas and types for Egyptian passport holders and residents here.
• 3. Choose your entry category
  • The Schengen visa from Egypt is available in three different entry categories: single, double, and multiple. When selecting your entry category, you should anticipate whether or not you will need to travel in and out of the Schengen area. 
  • If you have a single-entry Schengen, you will not be able to return to the Schengen area after you exit it—even if you still have time left on your visa. For this reason, a single-entry Schengen visa is only suitable for someone who intends to make a single trip to the zone. 
  • In contrast to a single-entry, a double-entry Schengen visa will allow you to re-enter the Schengen area after exiting it once (it will not, however, allow you to return to the zone, should you attempt to re-enter after exiting it a third time) . 
  • Finally, a multiple entry Schengen will provide you with unlimited entries, exits, and re-exists to the Schengen area throughout your visa validity period. If, for example, you will need to go back and forth between Egypt and France throughout your 90-day visa term, you should select “multiple entry” as your Schengen visa entry category.  
• 4. Select France as your primary Schengen destination
  • Select France as your primary destination in the Schengen area if France is where you will be spending most of your time in the zone. 
  • If you plan on spending an equal amount of time in France and another country (say, 30 days in France and 30 days in Spain) you should select France as your primary destination if it is the first country you enter in the zone (in contrast, for example, if you fly directly from Cairo to Madrid, and ultimately spend 30 days in both France and Spain, you should ultimately select Spain as your primary destination, as Spain will represent your first country of entry).  
• 5. Determine where to apply in Egypt
  • Apply for the France Schengen visa at the French Consulate in Cairo (applicants can also lodge their application in Alexandria). For help finding where to submit your application, contact us here.
• 6. Gather your required documents
  • Fulfilling the France visa requirements for Egypt citizens and residents involves the submission of the following documents and materials:
    • Egyptian passport (or other valid country passport).
    • 2 passport-compatible photos.
    • Basic application form. 
    • Proof of having received travel medical insurance.
    • Proof of accommodation.
    • Proof of return. 
    • Schengen visa fee.
  • In addition to the above, all Schengen visa applicants must submit supplemental documents/materials relating to their specific visa type. For example, Schengen visas and types for Egyptian passport holders include the medical visa; if you are applying for a medical Schengen visa, in addition to the basic documents, you must also supply a letter from your doctor/hospital, indicating the nature of the medical procedure/care you are attempting to receive in the Schengen area.  
  • See a complete list of required documents here.
  • Please note that some documents, if they are originally written in Arabic, may require an official translation into either English or French, in order to be accepted by the French Consulate in Cairo. For more information on language requirements for submitted documents, please contact us here. 
• 7. Access your application form
  • French Schengen visa applicants should not use the universal Schengen visa application form. Instead, they should access the French Schengen visa application for Egyptians and Egypt residents online, through the national French visa portal, here. 
  • French visa applicants should follow the above link to create an online account, which will allow them to fill out an online application. Although this will be submitted electronically, applicants should also print out a copy of the form, which they should bring to their subsequent Schengen visa appointment. 
• 8. Schedule your visa appointment
  • All Schengen visa applicants must attend an in-person visa appointment (which must be scheduled in advance) as part of fulfilling their France visa requirements for Egypt citizens and residents. If you are applying through the online France visa portal, you may be able to schedule this appointment electronically, at some point during your online application process. If this opportunity is not presented to you, you should contact the French Consulate in Cairo or Alexandria for information on how to schedule this appointment. 
• 9. Attend your visa appointment
  • The final stage of applying for a short-stay Schengen visa from Egypt is attending your visa appointment, which is where you will formally submit your French Schengen visa application for Egyptians and Egypt residents, attend an interview, and pay for your visa. 
  • “How much does a France visa cost from Egypt?” The basic Schengen visa fee is 80 EUR, although students, diplomats, and other special categories of persons may be able to avoid paying all or some of the cost (for more info on how much does a France visa cost from Egypt, click here). 
  • If this is your first time applying for a Schengen visa (or if it has been more than five years since you first applied for one) you will also need to submit your biometric information (photos and fingerprints) at your visa appointment. 
• 10. Await your decision
  • Most people who apply for a Schengen visa in Egypt will receive either a “yes” or “no” on their application within two weeks (15 days). However, the French consulate can take anywhere from 30-60 days to process a Schengen visa application, so do not be alarmed if you do not receive a response for several weeks.  
  • Once you are notified of your accepted application (usually via email) you will receive instructions to pick up your passport (and visa), and be on your way. 
  • If you are ultimately rejected for a France visa for Egyptians and Egypt residents, you may decide to contest the decision, by following these general steps to appeal.