France Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria- Get Schengen Visa in 6 Easy Steps

France Consulate in Lagos is located in Nigeria started processing visa applications from May 23, 2021 due to Covid restrictions. France is one of the 26 member Schengen country based on the Schengen agreement to issue a Schengen Visa This means that a tourists need 1 Schengen visa to travel freely in 26 Schengen countries which fall under Schengen area. France Consulate in Lagos outsourced to VFS Global for collecting & processing Schengen visa applications. This blog provides details on how to apply for a Schengen visa at France Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria.

Schengen visa (2019) stats issued at France Consulate In Lagos, Nigeria

Who can Apply Schengen Visa from France Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria

Visa applicants who reside in cities (Badagry, Epe, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Mushin, Shomolu) are eligible to apply for a Schengen visa from France Consulate in Lagos. Applicants with Nigeria Visit visas are not eligible to apply 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 Nigeria can present a justification for lodging an application in Nigeria rather than in their country of residence. France Consulate in Lagos has the right to evaluate the justification provided and to receive or not the visa applications.

France Consulate in Lagos has now outsourced all visa processing to Vfs Global and they will process visa application for France Schengen visa.

Consulate General of France  in Lagos, Nigeria

Address:

French Embassy,

1 Oyinkan Abayomi Dr,

Ikoyi 106104,

Lagos,

Nigeria

Email: [email protected]

[email protected]

Phone: (+234) 1 462 8484

Timings: Monday-Friday 9.00 AM -5.00 PM

Website: French Consulate Nigeria website

View France Consulate on Google maps ->

At the VFS Global France Visa Application Centre Lagos

Address

Ground Floor,

The Manor, Plot 110 Admiral Ayinla Way,

Lekki Phase 1,

Lagos, 100272

Nigeria

View on Google maps ->

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0815 018 8800

Timings: Monday-Friday 9.00 am-2.00 pm (by appointment only)

Vfs global visa application center at Lagos allows to make appointments between 9:00 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.

What is the Visa Application Fee Structure for France consulate in Lagos, Nigeria

Application fee is collected on behalf of the Embassy of France. Visa fee can be paid in local currency Nigerian naira (NGN) at the rate agreed on the day of payment.

Vfs Global Service Charge: 

Applicants lodging the visa application at the France Visa Application Centre also need to pay a VFS service charge in 19760 Nigerian naira (NGN) for customers applying at the visa application center.

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 Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria

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?

Consulates offer Schengen 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

Can a third party submit my visa application for me?

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.

6 Steps to apply Schengen Visa Application from France Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria

Applying for Schengen visa is a simple if all steps are taken care of. You need to follow  below steps to apply for a Schengen visa and be worry-free. 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. Fill the Schengen visa form online by creating an account if you don’t have one. 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

All Schengen Visa required documents are critical to submit your visa application. Below are 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. Complete Flight Itinerary
5. Invitation letter
6. Confirmed Hotel Booking
7. Travel Medical Insurance
8. Proof of Financial Sufficiency
9. Address proof
10. Employment certificate
11. Marriage/ Birth certificate

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

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, Lagos, Nigeria. 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 Visa Application Center For France consulate in Lagos

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

• Purpose of Your Trip?
• Is anyone sponsoring your trip?
• How long do you stay?
• Do you regularly pay your income tax?
• Can you provide your bank statement?

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 Lagos, Nigeria 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

Vfs Agent will attend you based on the appointment date and time and review all the documents of your Schengen visa application. A fact sheet will be given to you. If your file is complete, your application will be forwarded to the embassy authority. Note Vfs Global does not have authority to make any decision related to your visa application.

If documents do not meet the requirements of the Consulate General of France, you will have below options

• Do not submit your application and recover the visa application fee. You will be able to re-file a complete application at a later date
• Submit the application despite missing documents, at the risk of losing the visa application fee and being refused by the embassy

If you decide to send your file to the embassy, you will proceed, after payment of the fees, to deposit your biometric data directly with the Vfs Global 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 to the Vfs visa application Centre or have your documents returned to you by courier (if offered by the Visa Application Centre) for an additional fee.  you will be notified to collect your passport either in person or through a representative. 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

• Inadequate explanation of the traveling purpose
• No travel medical insurance covering trip
• Invalid passport or Passport expiring in 2 months
• Lack of financial proof to support trip cost
• Did not provide proof of accommodation
• 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

Sum Up:

Apply Schengen Visa process at France Consulate, Lagos Nigeria is simple and 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