Applying for a France Visa Through the French Consulate in New York

The French Consulate General in New York processes Schengen visa applications for residents of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Bermuda. Applying correctly means completing an online form on the France-Visas portal, booking an appointment through the consulate's service provider, and submitting a full supporting document package – including a flight itinerary – at your appointment. Skipping or misordering any of these steps is one of the most common causes of delays and rejections.

This guide walks you through each stage of the process in the correct sequence.

Step 1: Confirm You Are Applying at the Right Consulate

The French Consulate General in New York has jurisdiction over applicants residing in New York (NY), New Jersey (NJ), Connecticut (CT), and Bermuda. If you live outside this area, you must apply at the consulate with jurisdiction over your state of residence.

Your residence – not your citizenship – determines which consulate handles your application. Check Schengen visa requirements by nationality to confirm your specific eligibility and any additional documentation your nationality may require.

Step 2: Determine the Visa Type You Need

France issues several categories of Schengen visas. The correct type depends on the purpose and duration of your trip.

The most common categories for travelers are:

• Type C (Short-Stay Visa): For tourism, business, or family visits lasting up to 90 days within any 180-day period
• Type D (Long-Stay Visa): For stays exceeding 90 days, including study, work, and family reunification

The Schengen 90/180-day rule governs how long you may remain in the Schengen Area on a short-stay visa. Exceeding it carries serious consequences including future visa refusals.

For a full breakdown of visa categories and what each covers, the Schengen visa types explained resource covers the distinctions in detail.

Step 3: Complete the Online Application on France-Visas

Before scheduling any appointment, you must complete your visa application form on the official France-Visas portal at france-visas.gouv.fr. This step must come first – the consulate and its service providers require the completed form reference before an appointment can be booked.

To complete this step:

1. Create an account on the France-Visas website
2. Select the visa category that matches your travel purpose
3. Fill out the application form in full – all fields are mandatory
4. Upload supporting documents as prompted
5. Save your application reference number – you will need it at every subsequent stage

Do not book an appointment until this form is submitted and your reference number is confirmed.

Step 4: Assemble Your Supporting Documents

The French Consulate requires a complete document package at submission. Incomplete applications are typically returned without processing. The France Schengen visa document checklist covers every required item in full, but the core documents for a short-stay visa are:

• Valid passport with at least two blank pages and six months' validity beyond your intended departure
• Completed and signed France-Visas application form
• Two recent passport-size photographs meeting Schengen photo standards
• Proof of legal residence in the United States (green card, valid visa, or equivalent)
• Flight itinerary covering your full trip (entry into and exit from the Schengen Area)
• Proof of accommodation for every night of your stay (hotel bookings, host invitation letter, or rental confirmation)
• Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 valid across the entire Schengen Area
• Proof of financial means (bank statements for the last three to six months)
• Cover letter explaining the purpose and itinerary of your trip

The Flight Itinerary Requirement

A confirmed, purchased ticket is not required at the application stage. The French Consulate accepts a flight reservation – a provisional booking with a valid PNR (Passenger Name Record) that can be verified through the airline's system – as proof of travel intent. Many applicants are unaware of this distinction, which means they risk purchasing expensive flights before knowing whether their visa will be approved.

The difference between a flight reservation and a confirmed ticket is straightforward: a reservation holds seat availability and generates a verifiable PNR, but does not debit the full fare. Embassies use the PNR to verify that the itinerary is real and consistent with the stated travel dates.

ProvisionalBooking has issued over 60,000 flight itineraries to applicants in 190+ countries. A flight itinerary for visa application – including a verifiable PNR – is delivered via email in under 60 seconds, starting at $15 for a one-way itinerary and $19 for round-trip. Multi-city itineraries are available for $25.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for a Schengen visa must cover a minimum of €30,000 in medical expenses and emergency repatriation, and must be valid in all Schengen member states for your entire stay. The Schengen travel insurance requirements page outlines compliant policy types and what to check before purchasing.

Accommodation Proof

Hotel reservations used for visa applications do not need to be fully paid and non-refundable. A confirmed reservation showing your name, dates, and property details satisfies the requirement. The consulate's hotel booking requirements for Schengen applications explain what formats are accepted.

Step 5: Book Your Appointment

The French Consulate in New York works with TLS Contact as its visa appointment service provider. Appointments are booked through the TLS Contact portal at visas-fr.tlscontact.com.

To book:

1. Log in or create an account on the TLS Contact portal
2. Enter your France-Visas application reference number
3. Select the visa category and appointment type
4. Choose the earliest available date and time
5. Confirm your appointment and save the confirmation

The consulate receives visitors by appointment Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Applications for short-stay visas can be submitted up to six months before the intended travel date, but no fewer than 15 days before departure. Long-stay visa applications should be submitted at least one month before travel.

The distinction between applying directly at the consulate versus through a visa application center affects appointment availability and processing flow. The consulate vs. visa application center comparison explains the practical differences for New York applicants.

Step 6: Attend Your Appointment and Submit Your Application

Arrive at your appointment with the complete document package and your confirmation. At the appointment, consulate or TLS Contact staff will:

• Verify your identity and documents
• Collect your biometric data (fingerprints and a digital photograph) if you are submitting biometrics for the first time or if more than 59 months have passed since your last Schengen biometric enrollment
• Accept your application and visa fee payment

The standard Schengen visa fee is €80 for adults. Children aged six to eleven pay a reduced fee of €40. Children under six are exempt. Fees are subject to change; the Schengen visa cost breakdown covers current rates and what additional service fees TLS Contact charges. The biometric appointment process explains what to expect if this is your first Schengen application.

Step 7: Track Your Application and Collect Your Passport

After submission, processing times for France short-stay visas from New York typically range from 15 to 30 calendar days, though this can vary by season and application volume. Standard processing timelines and what affects them are covered in detail on the Schengen visa processing time page.

You can track your application status through the TLS Contact portal using your application reference number. Once a decision is made, TLS Contact will notify you to collect your passport. Passports are returned by courier or collected in person depending on the option you selected at the time of appointment.

If your application is refused, the refusal notice will include a reason. France Schengen visa refusals are among the most common, and many are appealable. The Schengen visa rejection resource explains the most frequent causes, and the visa refusal appeal process outlines your options if you choose to contest the decision.

FAQ

Do I Need a Confirmed Flight Ticket to Apply for a France Visa at the New York Consulate?

No. The French Consulate accepts a flight reservation – a provisional booking with a verifiable PNR – rather than a fully purchased, confirmed ticket. Buying a non-refundable ticket before visa approval puts you at financial risk if the application is refused. A flight itinerary reservation starting at $15 satisfies the requirement without requiring a full ticket purchase.

Who Can Apply for a France Visa Through the French Consulate in New York?

Applicants who reside in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Bermuda must apply through the Consulate General of France in New York. Residence – not citizenship – determines jurisdiction. If you live in a different U.S. state, you must apply through the consulate that covers your state.

How Far in Advance Should I Apply for a France Schengen Visa?

Short-stay visa applications must be submitted no fewer than 15 days before your intended travel date and no more than six months in advance. For long-stay visas, submit at least one month before travel. Given processing times of 15 to 30 days on average, applying six to eight weeks before departure is advisable during peak travel seasons.

What Is the Schengen Visa Fee for France?

The standard Schengen visa fee for adult applicants is €80. Children aged six to eleven pay €40. Children under six are exempt. TLS Contact charges an additional service fee on top of the official visa fee. The total cost varies by applicant and service option selected.

Does the French Consulate in New York Accept Walk-In Applicants?

No. The Consulate General of France in New York operates strictly by appointment. Appointments are booked through the TLS Contact portal. Walk-in applicants are not accommodated for visa submissions.

What Happens If My France Visa Application Is Refused?

If the consulate refuses your application, it must provide a written reason on the refusal notice. Common grounds include insufficient financial proof, incomplete documentation, or an unclear travel purpose. France Schengen visa refusals can be appealed in writing to the consulate within one month of the decision. A strong appeal typically addresses the stated reason directly with supporting evidence.

Can I Use a One-Way Flight Itinerary for a France Visa Application?

A one-way flight reservation is generally accepted for specific visa types and itineraries where a return date is not applicable, such as students or long-stay applicants. For standard tourism or business short-stay visas, a round-trip itinerary showing entry into and exit from the Schengen Area is strongly preferred. Consult your specific visa category requirements before submitting a one-way document.

How Do I Know If a Flight Itinerary Will Pass Embassy Verification?

Embassies verify flight itineraries by checking the PNR code through the airline's reservation system. A legitimate flight reservation generates a real PNR linked to the carrier – it can be confirmed online or by calling the airline directly. Fabricated itineraries with no verifiable PNR will fail this check and will result in application refusal.

What to Do Now

1. Confirm your consular jurisdiction based on your state of residence
2. Complete your France-Visas online application form and save your reference number
3. Gather all required documents – including your flight itinerary, accommodation proof, and travel insurance
4. Book your appointment on the TLS Contact portal as early as possible
5. Attend your appointment with your complete package and be prepared for biometric collection
6. Track your application status through TLS Contact after submission

If you need a flight itinerary for your France visa application, Get Flight Itinerary from ProvisionalBooking – delivered to your email in under 60 seconds, starting at $15.