France Embassy in Abidjan- Schengen Visa Approval in 6 Easy Steps

France Embassy in Abidjan is located in Cote d’Ivoire has been reopened after Covid-19 and tourists apply Schengen Visa here. France is the most visited country with 17 million visitors every year. France is famous for classical art museums, fashion houses, Eiffel tower, wines, cuisines and rich ancient history.  France Embassy in Abidjan is one of the foreign representations to issue a Schengen Business visas. France falls under Schengen area and tourists are able to visit 26 Schengen countries with a single Schengen Visa. France Embassy in Abidjan has an agreement with VFS Global to help with Schengen visa applications. This blog discusses in detail on how to apply for a Schengen visa at France Embassy in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

      Schengen visa (2019) stats issued at France Embassy in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

       

      ConsulateTotal Uniform visas applied forTotal Uniform visas IssuedMultiple entry uniform visas issuedTotal LTV Visas issued

      France Embassy in Abidjan

      51,228

      31,428

      10,265

      9

      schengen-visa-flight-reservation-hotel-bookings-travel-medical-insurance

      Who can Apply Schengen Visa from France Embassy in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

      Cote d’Ivoire citizens who reside in Abidjan are eligible to apply for a Schengen visa from France Embassy in Abidjan. Travelers with Cote d’Ivoire Visit visas are not eligible and they need to apply from their home country. All other country nationals who have Schengen visa obligation should submit their Schengen Visa Application in their home country. France Embassy in Abidjan has now outsourced all visa processing to Vfs Global and they will process visa application for France Schengen visa.

      France Embassy in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

      Address:

      17 Rue Lecoeur,

      Abidjan,

      Côte d’Ivoire

      Website: https://ci.ambafrance.org

      Email[email protected]

      Phone: (+225) 2020-7500

      Timings: Monday-Thursday 07:30 – 6:00 pm,

                       Friday- 07:30 – 1:30 pm,

      Location: France Embassy Abidjan View on Google maps ->

      At the Abidjan VFS Global Visa Application Centre

      Address

      Centre Commercial HLM 23 rue des Carrossiers,

      Zone 3 Abidjan

      Location: Vfs Global Abidjan View on Google maps ->

      Email[email protected]

      Phone: (+225) 25 20 00 48 70

      Timings: Monday-Friday 8.00 am-2.00 pm (By appointment only).

      Vfs global visa application center at Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire accepts visa applicants with appointments only to prevent delays and avoid waiting times. All appointments will be scheduled from 8 am to 2:00 pm, according to availability. Access is restricted to applicants who have an appointment confirmed by the Embassy or whose interview has been scheduled through the Visa Centre. Please, always remember to print and bring your appointment confirmation received from the Embassy or from the Visa Centre. Proof of appointment will be asked both by guards at the main gate on the street and by security at the entrance of the Embassy.

      Visa Application Fee Structure for France Embassy in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

      Application fee is collected on behalf of the embassy of France in Cote d’Ivoire. Visa Fees must be paid in local currency CFA Franc if paying at visa application center.

      Visa TypeFee Eur
      Tourism Visa80 Eur
      Business Visa72.55 Eur
      Medical Treatment80 Eur
      Study VisaNo fee
      Sports and Cultural Events Visa80 Eur
      Transit Visa80 Eur
      Transport Visa80 Eur

       

      Vfs Global Service Fee: 

      Applicants lodging the visa application at the Abidjan France Visa Application Centre also need to pay a VFS service fee of 34.65 Euro or equivalent of local currency 23100 FCFA. This needs to be paid online through MTN, Orange, Moov money or Visa Card. Courier service is mandatory to receive visa documents. For courier outside Abidjan the applicant has to pay additional fees of 6000 CFA.

      Visa Application Processing time

      The Embassy of France processes Schengen visa applications within 15 -30 calendar days. For national visas processing requires up to 30 days for family reunion and salaried work, and up to 120 days for self-employment work

      Schengen Visa Types issued by France Embassy in Abidjan

      Schengen visas are issued for about 90 day or less depending the reasons for applying visa which are explained below. National visa is also issued which has the duration longer than 90 days.

      Visa Applicants can choose category depending on below reasons

      • Visiting France- This visa is issues for tourism/vacation purposes
      • Business Visa- This visa is issues for professional/work related purposes
      • Family visa- This visa is issues for meeting family
      • Airport transit visa- This visa is used for transit
      • Medical visa- This visa is issued for receiving medical treatments
      • Schengen cultural visa- This visa for attending events
      • Study Visa – This visa is used for training or study purpose
      • Sports visa- This visa is issued for sports person

      Can France Schengen Visa be Used for Single Entry or Multiple Entry?

      Schengen consulates offer visa depending on reasons applied for, documents submitted and the fees paid.  Below are categories applicants can get

      Single Entry Visa – Traveler can enter Schengen country only once within 90 days

      Multiple Entry Visa – Traveler can enter Schengen country any number of times within 90 days.

      How many countries can I visit on my Schengen Visas?

      You can visit 26 Schengen countries on Schengen Visa

      Can a third party submit my visa application for me?

      No, personal appearance is mandatory for all visa applicants, unless you are exempt from biometric data entry. Exemptions from the fingerprinting requirement are provided for a limited number of applicants, including children under the age of twelve and persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible. Heads of State and members of the national government with members of their official delegation and spouses will also be exempted, if travelling for official purposes.

      SCHENGEN VISA

      INSURANCE

      Schengen Visa Approval in 6 easy steps from France Embassy in Abidjan

      Having all required visa documents is the key to get Schengen visa approval. Follow the below steps to apply for a visa without any worries. You need to apply atleast 2 -3 weeks prior to travel date so that you give enough time for consulate to process your application

      Step 1: Choose right visa category and Complete Schengen visa application

      Applying for a France Schengen Visa, your main destination should be France. Depending on your reason for trip select the right Schengen visa type for traveling to France. Create an account by going to France-Visas by entering personal email address and password. Once account is active you can fill the application online. Print the form and attach a photo. Note that these documents will be requested when submitting your visa application to the VFS Global center.

      Step 2: Prepare for supported documents

      One of the most critical steps for getting visa is to get all required documents which need to be submitted along with your visa application. Below is the list of documents needed which may be needed depending on visa type.

      1. Passport size photo
      2. Valid Passport – with at least 6 months validity having 2 blank pages
      3. Schengen Visa application form
      4. Flight Itinerary copy
      5. Invitation letter
      6. Proof of hotel accommodation
      7. Travel Medical Insurance
      8. Proof of sufficient funds
      9. Address proof
      10. Employment certificate
      11. Marriage/ Birth certificate

      Step 3: Make an appointment with the France Visa Application center, Abidjan

      Create a VFS account by entering your personal email address and password. Fill the requested personal data. If you are part of a group of people applying for a visa, please also enter the data of those accompanying you and proceed to validate the group. Book an appointment by selecting day and time at your convenience to attend visa interview at Vfs center, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. Don’t forget to print your appointment confirmation letter, as it will be required at our reception area.

      Step 4: Attend Schengen Visa Interview at France Visa Application Center in Abidjan

      Go through few important and most frequently asked question by visa officer during interview. Below is the list of frequently asked questions

      • Reason for your trip?
      • Do you have enough funds to cover your trip ?
      • How long do you stay?
      • Do you regularly pay your income tax?

      To refer detailed interview questions, check out Schengen visa interview questions

        What To Do on the Date of Visa Interview

        Go to VFS Global France Visa application center in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on the date of interview atleast 30 min before your interview so that you can relax and have an overview of the location to get yourself comfortable. Ensure you got all required documents along with photocopies for your visa application. During the interview process you may be required to give biometrics data depending on consulate requirements. After the biometrics is done you need to pay the required Schengen visa fee & service fee and submit your application.

        Step 5: Processing the visa Application

        At VFS global center, you will be taken care of by a staff who will check all your documents. If documents are missing or do not meet the requirements of the Consulate General of France, you have the following options

        • Go ahead and submit the application, at the risk of losing the visa application fee and being refused by the embassy;
        • Withdraw your application and recover the visa application fee. You will be able to re-file a complete application at a later date.

        If you decide to send your file to the Consulate, you will proceed, after payment of the fees, to deposit your biometric data directly with the VFS center

        Step 6: Return of Passport

        You can track the progress of your application using track visa application status. Applicants can use the Reference Number present on the invoice/receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre along with your Date Of Birth to access this service. Once your visa application is decided by the Consulate General of France, your passport will be returned through courier service. In some cases, due to incomplete/insufficient supported documents provided, visa application can be rejected.

        What happens if Schengen Visa is refused

        Negative decisions on applications are notified to the applicant. In the refusal letter reasons on which refusal decision was taken are clearly stated. Visa applicants whose applications are refused can decide to apply again or to appeal.

        Below are some of the reasons of Schengen Visa Rejection

        • Purpose of the travel is not clear
        • Missing travel insurance covering trip
        • Passport expiring in 2 months
        • Proof of financial support is not provided
        • Verifiable hotel booking is not listed
        • Airline ticket reservation is invalid
        • Missing documents

        If your Schengen Visa is rejected for some reason then you can re-apply Schengen Visa by following the article Help With Schengen Visa Rejection . If you want appeal against refusal, you can write an appeal letter for visa rejection

         

        Sum Up:

        Apply Schengen Visa process at France Consulate, Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire is easy. You need to work with Vfs Global to submit your application by following this article. Hopefully your visa will be approved and you can enjoy your trip with family, friends & others. Holders of a new Schengen visa, or of a Schengen visa still valid, therefore, are not automatically allowed to enter France and Schengen territory and must comply with the travel restrictions in force at Schengen level and at the level of the country of first entry into the Schengen area because of Covid pandemic. It is indeed the responsibility of each traveler to check the travel restrictions in place before departure

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