Europe is a haven for travelers, with its rich history, diverse cultures, and picturesque landscapes. Among its many countries, France stands out as an essential destination for many. A crucial step in visiting this beautiful nation is obtaining the France Schengen Visa, which grants travelers access not just to France, but to the entire Schengen Area.
What is the France Schengen Visa?
The France Schengen Visa is a type of short-stay visa that allows its holder to travel throughout the countries in the Schengen zone for a duration of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Why Opt for the France Schengen Visa?
Unhindered Exploration
With the France Schengen Visa, you’re not just limited to the French territory. The visa acts as your passport to 29 European countries that comprise the Schengen Area, including nations like Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Various Visa Types
There are different Schengen visa types, including tourist, business, student, and more. The Tourist Schengen Visa is among the most popular, tailored for leisure travelers.
Applying for the France Schengen Visa
Understanding how to apply for a Schengen visa is essential. The application process involves:
- Determining your Visa Type: As previously mentioned, there are different visa types to choose from based on your travel purpose.
- Completing the Application Form: Complete it online on the official France-Visas website, which also tells you which documents to bring.
- Document Submission: Ensure you have all required documents, such as a valid passport, travel insurance, and proof of accommodation.
- Appointment Booking: Once the documents are ready, book an appointment with the visa centre or French mission in your country. In Australia, applications are lodged at VFS Global centres and decided by the Consulate General of France in Sydney.
- Interview: Attend the visa interview, where a consulate officer will ask about your travel plans and intentions.
- Visa Fee Payment: This is the final step, where you pay the visa application fee.
The Future of Traveling to the Schengen Area
Travelers should be aware of the upcoming ETIAS, an electronic system designed to fortify the security of the Schengen Area. It’s not a visa but an authorization system that visa-exempt travelers will need to secure before traveling to the Schengen Area.
France is an alluring destination, a tapestry of art, history, and culture. The France Schengen Visa simplifies the process for travelers to experience this European jewel and beyond. By following the guidelines and understanding the visa requirements, your dream French getaway is just an application away.
France at a glance
France draws travellers to Paris, Provence, the Alps and the Riviera, and is a common entry point for wider European trips. Here are the key facts for travellers from Australia.
| Schengen member since | 1995 (founding member of the Schengen Agreement, 1985) |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| EU membership | Founding EU member |
| Official language | French |
| Short stays | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area |
| Where residents of Australia apply | VFS Global centres in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide |
| Working holiday for Australians | Yes, for Australians aged 18 to 35 |
Information checked October 2026. Rules and arrangements change, so confirm with the French authorities or the mission handling your application before you travel.
Travelling to France on an Australian passport
Australian passport holders do not need a visa to visit France for tourism, family visits or short business trips. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and that limit covers the whole Schengen Area, not France alone. Days spent in other Schengen countries count towards the same total, so check your dates with the Schengen visa calculator before you book.
Since 10 April 2026 the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational at all external Schengen borders. The first time you arrive, border officers record your passport details, facial image and fingerprints. The system then logs every entry and exit and counts your days automatically, replacing passport stamps.
The next change is ETIAS, an online travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers such as Australians. It is expected to start in late 2026, will cost EUR 20 (free if you are under 18 or over 70) and will be valid for three years or until your passport expires. It is not required yet, and there will be a transition period after launch.
- Your passport should be valid for at least three months after you plan to leave the Schengen Area and have been issued within the last 10 years.
- Border officers can ask about your accommodation, return or onward ticket and funds, so keep these handy.
- Some Schengen countries have reintroduced temporary checks at internal borders, so carry your passport when you cross between countries.
- France’s overseas territories, such as New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Réunion, are outside the Schengen Area and have their own entry rules.
- If you fly into Paris and on to another Schengen country, your EES registration and passport check happen at your first Schengen airport.
Who needs a French Schengen visa and where to apply
You need a Schengen visa if your passport is from a country that is not visa-exempt. This often applies to people who live in Australia on a temporary or permanent visa but hold, for example, an Indian, Chinese, Filipino or Vietnamese passport. Apply to France if it is your main destination (where you will spend the most days) or, if your days are split evenly, if it is the first Schengen country you will enter.
Residents of Australia: French visa applications from Australia are lodged at VFS Global centres in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane or Adelaide, by appointment, whichever state you live in. The Consulate General of France in Sydney examines and decides the applications, while the French Embassy in Canberra only handles diplomatic and official visas. Each applicant needs their own appointment, and you start by completing the form on the official France-Visas website.
- Lodge your application no earlier than six months and no later than 15 days before you travel. Earlier is better in the European summer and around Christmas.
- The standard decision time is 15 calendar days, which can be extended to 45 days in individual cases.
- Missions in Australia commonly ask for proof of your Australian visa status, such as a recent VEVO record, along with the usual documents: passport, photo, travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000, itinerary, accommodation and proof of funds.
- Fingerprints are taken at your appointment unless they were recorded for a Schengen visa in the last 59 months.
See our step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Schengen visa and the different Schengen visa types.
French Schengen visa fees
| Adults and children 12 and over | EUR 90 |
| Children 6 to 11 | EUR 45 |
| Children under 6 | Free |
| Service provider fee | VFS Global service fee: EUR 40 in Sydney, EUR 70 at other centres (non-refundable) |
| National (type D) long-stay visa | Set by France; usually higher than the Schengen fee |
These Schengen fees have applied since 11 June 2024 and are usually charged in Australian dollars at the current exchange rate. Some nationalities with EU visa facilitation agreements pay less. The fee is not refunded if your application is refused.
Staying longer: working holidays, study and work in France
The 90-day rule only covers short visits. For longer stays you need a national visa or permit from France itself.
France and Australia have a working holiday arrangement for Australians aged 18 to 35. It allows a stay of up to 12 months, and there is no university study requirement. You apply in person through VFS Global with proof of funds and insurance. Confirm the current conditions with the French consulate in Sydney before you apply.
French visa FAQs
Do Australians need a visa to visit France?
No, not for short stays. Australian passport holders can visit France and the rest of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your fingerprints and photo are recorded in the Entry/Exit System on arrival, and ETIAS is expected to be required after it launches in late 2026.
Does the 90 days apply to France only?
No. The 90 days in any 180-day period is shared across all 29 Schengen countries. Time in non-Schengen countries such as Cyprus, Ireland or the United Kingdom does not count towards it.
Where do I apply for a French visa in Australia?
At a VFS Global centre in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane or Adelaide. The applications are decided by the Consulate General of France in Sydney.
Does France issue digital Schengen visas?
Not EU-wide. France has trialled online applications, but the EU’s digital visa platform is not expected to be fully live until around 2028. For now, approved visas are still issued as a sticker in your passport.
Does a Schengen visa cover New Caledonia or French Polynesia?
No. These French territories are outside the Schengen Area and have separate entry rules, so check the territory’s own requirements before you travel.
Is the French working holiday visa only for students?
No. It is open to eligible Australians aged 18 to 35, with no university study requirement, and allows a stay of up to 12 months.
More Schengen guides
- ETIAS: what Australians need to know
- Schengen 90/180 day calculator
- Tourist Schengen visa and business Schengen visa
- Belgium visa guide
- Spain visa guide
- Italy visa guide
VisaEnvoy does not provide Schengen visa services. This page is general information only. For advice on your application, contact the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit.