France visa requirements for Ethiopians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Ethiopians visiting France

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a French Visa.

  • A duly completed, signed and dated visa application form.
  • Two recently taken passport-size photographs (35x45 mm), both taken within the last three months.
  • A valid Ethiopian passport not older than 10 years, with at least three months validity beyond your intended departure date from France.
  • A round trip reservation or itinerary that must include entry and exit dates as well as flight numbers.
  • A travel insurance policy with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros, for the whole Schengen territory, in case of any medical emergency such as illnesses, accidents and even repatriation in case of death.
  • Proof of accommodation. A document that shows where you will be accommodated throughout your stay in France.
  • Proof of financial means. Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself financially throughout your stay in the country. This can be one of the following:
    • Sponsorship Letter – by another person that confirms they will be financially supporting your trip to France. In order for this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the sponsor, no older than three months.
    • Bank account statement – that shows you have enough money in your account for the trip. The statement shall be no older than 3 months.
  • Proof of paid visa fee.  €60 for adults and €35 for children from 6 to 12 years old.

France Visa for Ethiopians

Facts about France

France is a country rich in art and culture. The art and culture on display is the top pick for tourists who visit this country. The world-famous Eiffel tower attracts millions of visitors year-in-year-out. The country’s wide range of wine and cuisines can be best enjoyed on the various Mediterranean beaches available.
 
France is the most popular tourist destination in the world as the country receives over 85.7 million foreign tourists yearly.


Tourists should try to avoid traveling during french school holidays as hotel rooms are usually overbooked and traffic is unbearable.

Types of France Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 15 working days 90 days
Business visa 15 working days 90 days
Student visa 15 working days More than 90 days

General Requirements for France Visa

  • A duly completed, signed and dated visa application form.
  • Two recently taken passport-size photographs (35x45 mm), both taken within the last three months.
  • A valid Ethiopian passport not older than 10 years, with at least three months validity beyond your intended departure date from France.
  • A round trip reservation or itinerary that must include entry and exit dates as well as flight numbers.
  • A travel insurance policy with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros, for the whole Schengen territory, in case of any medical emergency such as illnesses, accidents and even repatriation in case of death.
  • Proof of accommodation. A document that shows where you will be accommodated throughout your stay in France.
  • Proof of financial means. Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself financially throughout your stay in the country. This can be one of the following:
    • Sponsorship Letter – by another person that confirms they will be financially supporting your trip to France. In order for this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the sponsor, no older than three months.
    • Bank account statement – that shows you have enough money in your account for the trip. The statement shall be no older than 3 months.
  • Proof of paid visa fee.  €60 for adults and €35 for children from 6 to 12 years old.
France Tourist visa France Business visa France Student visa

France Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Ethiopians who intend to travel to France for vacation, sightseeing or other leisure activities are eligible to apply for a France short-stay tourist visa.
  • The tourist visa also permits you to visit friends and relatives residing in France and also attend social events, cultural events and festivals in the country.
  • If you are visiting friend or relative in France, you need to obtain a letter of invitation from them showing their home address and telephone number.
  • If you are travelling to France for tourism purposes, you should submit a cover letter stating the purpose of your visit, places you intend to visit while in France and how long you plan to stay in the country.
  • A visa application form must be fully completed and signed before submission. You are advised to crosscheck for any errors and adhere strictly to the submission guideline so as not to delay the processing of your visa application.
  • As proof that you intend to return to your country of origin, you are required to tender a round-trip flight ticket showing entry and exit dates to/from France as well as the flight numbers.
  • If you are not a national of your country of residence you must show proof, such as a residence permit, that you are a legal resident in that country.
  • If you are employed, you must provide proof of your employment by submitting your employment contract (signed by both you and your employer), your bank account statements of the last six months and your income tax return.
  • You must also provide a leave letter from your employer stating awareness of leave for the entire duration you intend to stay in France.
  • You must provide proof that you can comfortably spend at least €160 ($178)  per day in France by sending copies of your bank statements from the last six months, your recent payslips or pension statements. If a third-party intends to sponsor your trip, you can also submit a sponsorship letter.
  • The tourist visa does not permit its holder to work in France or to receive payment for any services rendered.
  • Minors are required to provide the original copy of their birth certificate. If they are travelling with one parent, a document of consent allowing the child to travel to France with one parent, signed by the other parent, must be presented.

France Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The France business visa is issued to foreign nationals who intend to travel to France for business purposes.
  • The France business visa is a short-stay visa that permits a stay of no longer than 90 days within a 180-day period.
  • The business visa permits you to attend business meetings, trade fairs and to take part in conferences in France.
  • 2 passport-size photographs should be sent along with your duly completed and signed visa application form. The passport photos should be taken within the last 6 months with a white background.
  • Your Ethiopian passport must contain at least two blank pages (for entry/exit stamps) and have a minimum validity of three months beyond the date you intend to leave France.
  • You are required to present a letter of invitation from the inviting company/organisation in France. This letter must state the purpose of your visit and who will take care of your expenses (your company or the partner company) while in the country.
  • If there exist previous trade relations between your company and the inviting company in France, such as bills of lading, customs clearance, receipts of payment or any similar documents, you are required to provide such documents.
  • You are required to submit a letter of introduction from your company explaining its commercial activities, your position in the company,  the purpose of your travel and who is financing it.
  • Please note that as a business traveller, you are not allowed to seek public funds while you are in France nor can you receive payment for any services rendered while you are there.
  • Your visa application should be submitted in person after printing the completed form as your biometric data will be collected at the point of submission.
  • You are required to provide proof of a hotel reservation for the entire duration of your stay in France.
  • A copy of your return flight ticket to your country of origin should also be submitted as proof that you intend to return to your country of origin once your visa expires.

France Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Ethiopians intending to travel to France to study for any period exceeding 90 days must apply for the long-stay student visa.
  • You must have received an offer of admission into a French university before you apply for a student visa.
  • A visa application form must be accurately completed, dated and signed before submission.
  • 2 recently taken passport-size photographs with a white background must also be submitted.
  • Your Ethiopian passport used for the visa application must have at least 2 blank visa pages and remain valid for at least 3 months beyond the approved duration of stay in France.
  • You are required to present the original copy of your acceptance letter into a French university. The letter must show the applicants personal data, duration and type of course/research work to be done, financial guarantee and that the applicant has sufficient knowledge of the language the programme will be taken in.
  • You must provide proof of a minimum monthly income of €615 for the entire duration of your stay in France. This could be in the form of a certificate of scholarship or bank statement showing a deposit in a French bank account, or an undertaking to accept financial liability from a guarantor who must provide proof of adequate, reliable and regular income, as well as a copy of their ID document.
  • You are required to show proof of accommodation for the first three months f your stay in France. This could be a hotel reservation or statement/undertaking from the host (establishment/institution or private individual) or explanatory letter from the student.
  • Your biometric data will be collected at the point of submission of your application form. Thus, you are advised to submit your visa application in person.

France Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

60.00 (EUR)

Business visa

60.00 (EUR)

Student visa

99.00 (EUR)

France Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Ethiopia

Location

Address

Addis Ababa

Yeka Sub City, Kebele- 01, P.O. Box 1464, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

et.ambafrance.org

-

(+251) 11 40 00 00

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appeal if my visa application is rejected?

If you have been refused a French visa, you can appeal against the decision. A written appeal must be submitted within 2 months of the date of notification of the refusal at the mission which refused you the visa. During the procedure for resolving the appeal, a new visa application cannot be processed.

What currencies are accepted in France?

As a Schengen country, France has the euro as its official currency. You may, however, find some establishments, especially in tourist areas, that accept the US dollar and the British Pound.

What are some fun places to visit in France?

Home to one of the fashion capitals of the world, Paris, France is perhaps one of the best places to travel to in Europe. With such marvellous sights as the Eiffel Tower, the Gothic Notre-Dame cathedral or the bustling city of Bordeaux with lots of historic sights, you are sure to experience some of the most scenic views in the world.

Can I extend my long-stay French visa?

For any stay in France exceeding 90 days, you are expected to apply for a long-stay visa which will allow you to stay in France for up to a year. In order to stay beyond the validity of your visa, you must apply for a residence permit in the district of your residence.

Can I work in France?

To work in France, foreign nationals must apply for a French work visa. You should confirm what type of work-visa you will need from your employer. International students with a valid French student visa may work part-time when school is in session and full-time when school is on break.