France consulate in Erbil, Iraq- Schengen Visa Approval in 6 Easy Steps

France consulate in Erbil is located in Iraq and tourists apply Schengen Visa regularly. France is famous for its history, Eiffel tower, art galleries, tasty wines, fashion industry and delicious food.  France consulate in Erbil is one of the foreign representations to issue a Sports Schengen visa. France falls under Schengen area and tourists can visit 26 Schengen countries with Schengen Visa. France consulate in Erbil has an agreement with  VFS Global Iraq to collect Schengen visa applications. This blog discusses in detail on how to apply for a Schengen visa at France consulate in Erbil, Iraq.

Visa Schengen (2019) stats issued at France consulate in Erbil, Iraq

Who can Apply Schengen Visa from France consulate in Erbil, Iraq

Visa applicants who reside in cities (Mosul, Kirkuk, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Samarra) are eligible to apply for a Schengen visa from France consulate in Erbil. Travelers with Iraq Visit visas are not eligible and they need to apply from their home country.

All nationals of countries whose citizens are subject to Schengen visa obligation who are legally present in Iraq can present a justification for lodging an application in Iraq rather than in their country of residence. France consulate in Erbil has the right to evaluate the justification provided and to receive or not the visa applications.

France consulate in Erbil has now outsourced all visa processing to Vfs Global and they will process visa application for France Schengen visa

Consulate General of France in Erbil

Address:

33, Salaheddine street,

Erbil,
Iraq

Website: https://iq.ambafrance.org/-Consulat-General-de-France-a-Erbil-

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (+964) 66 222 8000

Timings: Sunday-Thursday 09:00 – 1:00 pm

Location: French Consulate Erbil View on Google maps ->

At the VFS Global Visa Application Centre, Erbil

Address

Ainkawa Road, Adjacent to Duty Free,

Shop Erbil Ainkawa Street,

00964 Erbil

Location: Vfs Global Erbil View on Google maps ->

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +962 7510126287

Timings: Sunday-Tuesday 9.00 am-1.00 pm (by appointment only)

Vfs global visa application center at Erbil, Iraq accepts visa applicants with an appointment only. Ensure you carry printed confirmation appointment letter to get admission into visa application center.

Visa Application Fee Structure for France consulate in Erbil

Application fee is collected on behalf of the embassy of France in Iraq. Visa Fee should be paid in cash in local currency Iraqi Dinar (IQD) on the day of appointment at visa application center using the exchange rate agreed by the embassy.

Vfs Global Service Fee: 

Applicants lodging the visa application at the France Visa Application Centre, Erbil also need to pay a VFS service charge of 39.44 Euro equivalent of Iraqi Dinar (IQD) for applicants applying at the visa application center. Form filling assistance is charged at IQD 10000.

Visa Application Processing time

The consulate general 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 consulate in Erbil

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 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 you visit on a Schengen Visa?

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 Approval in 6 easy steps from France Consulate in Erbil

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 atleast 2 blank pages)
3. Schengen Visa application form
4. Flight Reservation document
5. Invitation letter
6. Verifiable Hotel Confirmation
7. Travel 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, Erbil

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. Use link Book an appointment on vfs website and select day and time at your convenience to book a slot for visa interview at Vfs center, Erbil, Iraq. 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 Erbil

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

Walk in to VFS Global France Visa application center in Erbil, Iraq atleast 30 min before your planned visit time so that you can relax and feel comfortable. Check 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, Erbil Iraq 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