Can I enter France with Schengen visa from another country? Yes, you can, but there are certain rules you must follow; otherwise, you will encounter issues with the border officers. Applying for this visa is not as difficult as many think, but the regulations surrounding the issue and use of this visa pose a challenge to many.
How Many Countries Can I Enter With A Schengen Visa And Why?
As a visa holder, you can access all 27 Schengen countries, including other non-Schengen countries like Cyprus, Romania, and Bulgaria. And perhaps, the only countries you cannot visit with a Schengen visa are the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. This visa is multinational and widely accepted by these countries, so travelers don't have to expend time and resources applying for separate visas for different countries.
All countries that are signatories to the Schengen Agreement have a borderless policy in place which allows for the free flow of travelers and cargo within the region. This has boosted trace and several industries in the region.
Can I Enter France With Schengen Visa From Another Country?
So can I enter France with a Schengen visa issued by another country? The answer is yes. The border and immigration agents in France will accept visas issued by Germany, Italy, Estonia, Belgium, or any other Schengen country, just like any of them will accept the visa issued by France. As long as your visa is valid, you can visit any of these countries freely and abide by the 90/180 rule, among other rules.
Does The 90/180 Rule Apply In France?
The 90/180 rule applies in France as in other Schengen countries. The European Commission put this rule in place to regulate the inflow of visitors and the number of days they can stay in the Area. This rule simply states that visitors with this visa are not allowed to stay for more than 90 days within a 180 day period.
There are two things to consider here.
Arriving In France First: They must stay for over 90 days if they arrive in France first. If they decide to visit any other country, the timeline remains unbroken and continues to count.
Arriving In Another Country: If they arrive in any other country first and decide to visit France afterward, the time will continue to count from when they first set foot in the first country.
The 90/180 rule applies even if the traveler visits two or more countries.
Can I Visit France First If Another Country Issues My Visa?
Another area of confusion is the first country to visit. Persons planning to visit France along the line must adhere to the Primary Destination Rule. This rule states that they must first visit the country that issued the visa before any other country. If a different country issued your visa, you must visit that country first before coming to France.
Visiting France first will violate that rule, and you may encounter issues at the entry point. The same is the case if you decide to visit France first; the French embassy must issue your visa.
How To Get A Schengen Visa?
To get this visa, you must submit your application to the embassy of the country you wish to visit first. Indicate in the form the type of visa you want and how many days or weeks you wish to spend. After completing the form, you must attach the necessary documents and book an appointment with the embassy. This can be done directly or through agents, but it is not mandatory in all countries and for all applicants. The embassy's procedure will also determine how you submit your documents.
Schengen Application Documents
Visa application form
Valid passport
Two recent passport photographs
Cover letter
Copies of the previous letter
Proof of financial means
Round trip flight Itinerary and ticket reservation
Proof of accommodation
Visa fee receipt
Travel health insurance
Invitation letter, if applicable
Civil status certificate
How Much Is The Visa Application Fee?
The visa application fee is €80 for 12 year olds and above and €40 for six year olds and children up to 11 years old. Minors under six don't pay this fee. The fee must be paid before you can submit your application; the method will depend on the embassy. Paying this application fee is not an indication that you will be issued the visa at the end of the day. Your chances of getting the visa are tied to your ability to satisfy all the visa requirements.
So can I enter France with Schengen visa from another country? The answer is yes because all member states in the Schengen zone accept this travel document.