5 Steps to Apply Schengen Visa from France Embassy Istanbul, Turkey

5 Steps to Apply Schengen Visa from France Embassy Istanbul, Turkey

5 Steps to Apply Schengen Visa from France Embassy Istanbul, Turkey Every year people from all over the world apply for Schengen visa for France for its relaxing countryside, French beaches and historic architecture. Similarly, France Embassy Istanbul, Turkey receives thousands of visa applications each year. Even if you are a Turkish citizen, you have to follow the complete procedure for Schengen visa application as Turkey shares a complex economic and political status when it comes to getting a visa-free access to the Schengen area. To continue a hassle free receiving and issuing of Schengen visa, France Embassy Istanbul has selected VFS Global as their official partners. Moreover, following the below given directions can surely win you a Schengen visa from France Embassy Istanbul, Turkey.

France Embassy Istanbul, Turkey – Schengen Visa Statistics

• Year: 2019
• Total Uniform visas applied for: 105377
• Total Uniform visas Issued: 97865
• Multiple entry uniform visas issued: 37634
• Total LTV Visas issued: 2
• Visa acceptance %: 93%

When to Apply Schengen Visa at France Embassy Istanbul, Turkey

The best period to apply for Schengen visa at France Embassy Istanbul, Turkey is about three months before the planned departure date. Moreover, it must not be later than 15 days before the departure so that the visa can be processed in time.

French Consulate In Istanbul, Turkey Location and Contact Office Info

• Address:
• Istiklal Caddesi No: 4 Beyoglu[IS3] ,
  Taksim 34435,
• Istanbul,
• Turkey
• Telephone: (+90) (212) 334 87 30
• Fax: (+90) (212) 334 87 31
• Email:  amba.ankara@diplomatie.gouv.fr (embassy in Ankara)[IS4] 
• Website: consulfrance-istanbul.org
• Consulate hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
• Google Maps: France Embassy Istanbul, Turkey on Google Maps

France Embassy Istanbul, Turkey- Visa applicants’ Eligibility

Citizens of the following cities of turkey can apply France visa from France Embassy Istanbul as they come under the jurisdiction of Istanbul.

AYDIN, BALIKESİR, BİLECİK, BURSA, ÇANAKKALE, DENİZLİ, EDİRNE, İSTANBUL, İZMİR, KIRKLARELİ, KOCAELİ, KÜTAHYA, MANİSA, MUĞLA, SAKARYA, TEKİRDAĞ, UŞAK, YALOVA.

As VFS Global are the official partners of France Embassy Istanbul, they need to apply for France visa from VFS visa application center.

Istanbul VFS Global Visa Application Center

• Address:
• Hacıahmet mh,
• Kurtuluş Deresi Cd. No: 29 D: 25,
• 34440 Beyoğlu/İstanbul,
• Turkey
• Telephone: +90 212 373 58 10
• Email: info.frtr@vfshelpline.com[IS6] 
• Office Hours: Monday to Friday, from 08:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Website: https://www.vfsglobal.com/
• Google Maps: Istanbul VFS Global Visa Application Center on Google Map

Which Schengen Visa Type You Can Apply at France Embassy Istanbul Turkey?

There are several kinds of Schengen visas that you can apply from France embassy Istanbul Turkey depending on the following purposes.

Airport Transit: When the purpose to be in the Schengen region is simply to travel through some Schengen airport without entering the country, airport transit visa is applied.  

Business: Those traveling to France for some professional reason or for conducting business can apply for Business Schengen visa.

Family or Friend Meet up: Schengen visit visa can be applied when your purpose is simply to meet your friends or family members living in Schengen zone.

Medical Issues: Medical Reason Schengen visas are applied when someone need to be in Schengen area for medication or cure purpose.

Tourism: When purpose is simply to travel and sightseeing, Schengen tourist visa is applied.

Study: Those who want to enter France for educational purposes must apply for Schengen study visa.

Official Visit: Official visit Schengen visa is required when you are a part of some official delegation going to Schengen area,

Cultural: When someone needs to participate in some cultural event to be held in Schengen zone, cultural Schengen visa is applied.

Sports: Participation in some sport-related event requires you to apply sports Schengen visa.

FAQ’s on Schengen Visas

I am travelling to several Schengen countries, which country should I apply through?

In such cases, you will apply for the Schengen country where you are going to spend most of the time. If you are going to spend equal time in two different Schengen regions, you will apply for the country where you plan to visit first.

What Documents are Required when Applying for a Schengen Visa?

How long is a Schengen visa valid for?

Schengen visa is valid for about 90 days within a 180-day period.

How many times can I enter the Schengen area on a Schengen visa?

It depends on the number of entries given on your Schengen visa.

What is a flight itinerary for Visa application?

Flight itinerary is a verified document having the schedule of a flight.

Steps to Get Schengen Visa from France Embassy in Istanbul, Turkey

Following are the four basic steps to apply for a France visa from Istanbul, Turkey.

Step 1: Get Started with Visa Application

Log on to the official website of France-visas, create your account and fill out the visa application form given for the visa type you are going to apply for. Once you have answered all the given questions, this visa application form is ready for printing. In the same step, you will be guided about required documents and visa fee you need to get Schengen Visa from France Embassy in Istanbul, Turkey. Lastly, the applicant will be guided about the right way to book an appointment.

Step 2: Book an Appointment & Pay your Visa Fee[IS7] 

For Booking an appointment , you need to create a VFS account if you don’t have one. Enter all the traveler and trip details and select the available date/time matching your convenience. Pay the visa fee online if possible & wait for the appointment confirmation email.

You can also pay the visa fee at the visa application center if not paid during booking an appointment.  You are supposed to pay the amount of visa fee required for the visa application type you have applied for.  You can check the visa fees listed below.

Schengen Visa Fee Details:

VFS Global Service Fee

Those who apply their France visa from VFS Global have to pay additional charges other than the basic visa fee. VFS Global charge 40 EUR per visa applicant. The service fee must be paid at the time of visa application submission in the VFS Global Visa Service Center.

Step 3: Arrange Required Schengen Visa Documents[IS8] 

One must have the following documents:

• Schengen Visa application form
• Passport photo
• Valid passport
• Round trip reservation or itinerary
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of financial means
• Travel insurance policy
• Proof of paid visa fee
• Invitation letter

Step 4: Attend the Scheduled Appointment at Istanbul VFS Center

After being informed about the day and date of the appointment, you are supposed to visit visa application center in person and submit visa application form and other required documents. Prepare well for all the Schengen visa interview questions before hand so that it becomes easy during the interview process. In this step you are supposed to give answers to all visa interview questions, your biometric information including fingerprint and photograph in visa application center.

Step 5: Track your Visa Application & Receive your Documents

After the successful completion of the whole visa application process, you can track your visa application[IS9]  by using your last name and reference number written on the invoice given by the visa application center.

Once the France consulate in Istanbul decides your visa petition, decision will be updated. The documents that you have submitted earlier will be returned later. VFS Global Visa Application Centre authorized by the French Consulate will sent them all back on the address verified by through courier if (opted in that service) or you can collect document in person. In some[IS10]  cases, visa is rejected due to missing/incomplete visa documents. However, you can review and appeal the decision by following the steps mentioned in How to appeal Schengen Visa Rejection

Conclusion:

For the people in Turkey, applying a Schengen Visa from France Embassy in Istanbul, Turkey is made quite feasible; and once you are following the steps given above, you are surely going to get your France visa in Turkey. The only hinderance could be the condition of covid-19 pandemic. So, before applying the visa, make sure there are no travel restrictions put in by the destination country.

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