France awaits travelers from Sri Lanka and the Maldives with its captivating blend of rich cultural treasures and stunning landscapes. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned explorer within the Schengen area, France unfolds a tapestry of experiences. The romantic allure of Paris, with its iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and artistic treasures at the Louvre, sets the stage for a memorable journey. Beyond the capital, Bordeaux’s vineyards, Provence’s picturesque lavender fields, and the Loire Valley’s historic castles offer diverse landscapes to explore. In this comprehensive guide, discover the steps to apply for a French Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and the Maldives to embark on this French sojourn. It covers crucial aspects such as the Schengen Visa application process, appointment scheduling, processing times, Schengen travel insurance requirements, and specific steps tailored for citizens of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Plan an adventure through France to immerse yourself in its cultural richness, witness architectural wonders, and create cherished memories.
Furthermore, individuals who hold a Sri Lankan passport or reside in the Maldives and are interested in applying for a visa other than the French Schengen visa, such as an Italian or German visa, may find the relevant information in the links attached.
Visitors who applied for French Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and Maldives
In 2022, about 8,728 Sri Lankans applied for French Schengen Visas, and 9,825 tourists from Maldives visited France in 2018.
| Years | Schengen State | Country | Consulate | Number of Visa Applications | Visas Issued | Visas Denied | Not issued rate for uniform visas |
| 2018 | France | SRI LANKA | COLOMBO | 13,236 | 10,239 | 2,812 | 21.25% |
| 2019 | France | SRI LANKA | COLOMBO | 13,348 | 9,568 | 3,568 | 26.73% |
| 2020 | France | SRI LANKA | COLOMBO | 2,075 | 1,437 | 602 | 29.47% |
Applying for a French Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and Maldives
Individuals who are Sri Lankan or Maldivian nationals planning a business or leisure journey to France must acquire a French Schengen Visa. The application must be submitted at the consulate of the Schengen country where the longest-planned stay is anticipated, which is the French Embassy Consulate in this case. Schengen Visa holders are permitted a maximum stay of 90 days within 180 days in the Schengen area, so long as their Visa remains valid.
Sri Lankan passport holders who wish to obtain a French Schengen visa from Sri Lanka may do so at the VFS French Visa Application Centre in Colombo. The French Embassy in Sri Lanka processes all visa applications from Maldives nationals who desire to travel to France. For your online application to be finalized, you are required to designate Sri Lanka as the country of application submission. Fully equipped facilities at the VFS French Visa Application Centre guarantee a streamlined and effective procedure for submitting visa applications. The center’s amiable and well-informed personnel meet applicants of any purpose—leisure, business, or education—at every stage of the process.
Types of French Schengen Visas offered at The French Embassy in Sri Lanka and Maldives
Visa requirements vary depending on the reason for your trip from Sri Lanka or Maldives to France:
- Short stay French Schengen Visa valid for a maximum of ninety days for travelers, visitors to family or acquaintances, or those with brief educational objectives.
- Long stay French Schengen visa valid for employment, commerce, education, or family reunification for a period exceeding 90 days.
- Airport Transit Visa for passengers with an aircraft connecting to a different location
Steps to apply for a French Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and Maldives
VFS Global is the exclusive service provider for the French government, authorized to provide administrative support services to visa applicants in Sri Lanka and Maldives.
The steps to follow when applying for a Visa are as follows:
Step 1 – Identification of the required Visa Type
Step 2 – Starting Visa application
Step 3 – Appointment booking
Step 4 – Fee payment
Step 5 – Visa application center visit
Step 6 – Tracking your application
Step 7 – Document Collection
Step 1 – Identification of the required Visa Type
The required visa type is ascertained before proceeding, and eligibility is verified. After selecting the type, you note the required application fee, the documents that must be submitted, and the application form. It is mandatory to have a translation prepared and presented for any document whose source language is not English.
Step 2 – Starting Visa application
Step two on the France-Visas website is to initiate the visa application process: Register and respond to the inquiries through the online platform; your visa application form will be generated automatically and accessible for printing. Upon completion of the visa application form, an output will consist of a list of requisite supporting documents and the corresponding visa fee amount.
Step 3 – Appointment booking
A visa application center is chosen, and a subsequent appointment is made. The biometric information, including photographs and fingerprints, will be submitted during the scheduled appointment at the designated Visa Application Centre. Appointments must be reserved in advance for each applicant seeking a French Schengen Visa. Confirmation of the appointment is provided via email in addition to the appointment letter.
Step 4 – Fee payment
The applicant will pay the fee for an online visa application during the online application process. Payment may be submitted concurrently with the application when the document is presented in person at the application center.
Short-stay = 28,676 LKR
Children under 6 = 0 LKR
Children aged 6 – 12 = 14,338 LKR
Long-stay = 35,487 LKR
Step 5 – Visa application center visit
The completed application form must be physically submitted to visa application centers. The application document necessitates the authentic signatures of both parents of applicants under 16.
Step 6 – Tracking your application
The online monitoring of the French Schengen Visa application’s status is possible by using the reference number on the invoice or receipt provided by the Visa application center.
Step 7 – Document Collection
Once the envelope containing your passport has been returned to the VFS Global Visa Application Centre by the French Consulate Mission, the authorized courier service will deliver it to the address you specified.
Required Documents for French Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and Maldives
Sri Lankan and Maldives citizens require a set of documents to apply for a French Schengen Visa. The documents required are:
- A Sri Lankan or Maldives passport with a minimum validity of six months.
- Copy of the photo page of the passport
- The application form for a French Schengen visa, duly completed, was obtained from the official website of the French Government (https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en-US/web/france-visas). To get the application form, one must indicate the nature and objective of the required French Visa.
- Two identification photographs with a 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm measurement and a white background.
- Any employment documentation that specifies the position of the applicant
- If the applicant is self-employed, an official copy of the business registration certificate is mandatory.
- Correspondence from a French national attesting to sponsorship
- Justify the purpose of one’s visit to France in a letter of motivation.
- Please provide evidence of your lodging, such as a hotel reservation or proof of domicile.
- Bank statements of the applicant or the organization for the previous three months are mandatory. Additionally, three of the most recent pay stubs or a pension certificate specifying the monthly pension amount (with French translation) are acceptable.
- Documentation of flight reservation
- Travel health insurance certificate
Recommended Guidelines for Applying French Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and Maldives
- Before processing a visa application, the Embassy of France mandates at least three working days.
- Submission of an admissible application shall result in the processing of the application within 15 calendar days.
- A 30-day extension may be granted in exceptional circumstances, such as when additional examination is required or when legal representation is involved.
- A sixty-day extension may be granted in cases where supplementary documentation is required.
- However, a passport accompanied by a fully completed application and supporting documentation submitted on Tuesday could be collected on Friday; conversely, if it is submitted on Wednesday, it could be collected on Monday.
