Following the publication of visa guidance for countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tanzania, Jamaica, Vietnam and Tunisia, we’ve received a steady flow of inquiries from Armenian travelers hoping to visit France. It became clear that while visa procedures may be similar across Schengen states such as Italy and Spain, the specific expectations of each embassy and the nuances of applying through their local partners warrant individual attention.
This article is developed in direct response to those inquiries. Whether you’re planning to stroll the boulevards of Paris, attend a conference in Lyon, or visit family in Marseille, a short-stay visa is the essential first step. For many in Armenia, this is their first experience navigating a European visa application. Naturally, that comes with questions.
Applicants have raised concerns about unclear requirements, conflicting information found online, and tight appointment windows. Some have encountered delays due to technicalities: a missing translation, a document dated outside the allowed timeframe, or confusion over how to correctly show proof of financial means. Others simply weren’t sure when or how to begin.
France continues to be a top destination not just for tourism, but also for culture, education, and professional exchange. But before setting foot in the Schengen Area, Armenian travelers must obtain a French Schengen visa, which permits stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period across France and other Schengen countries.
In Armenia, the French visa application process is managed by France Visas, the official website for the Embassy of France. Their center in Yerevan handles appointment scheduling, document intake, biometric collection, and passport return. Applicants are expected to interact directly with the embassy by following a structured procedure.
This guide is created to give Armenian applicants a clear and up-to-date understanding of what’s required from document preparation to appointment attendance and to help them avoid common mistakes that can slow down or complicate the process.
Applicant Statistics of French Schengen Visa from Armenia
Statistics on applications for French Schengen Visa from Armenia reveal a significant volume of submissions to the French Consulate. In 2024, nearly 12,849 individuals in Armenia applied for French visas, and over 80% of these applications were approved.
| Year | Schengen State | Country | Consulate | No. of Visa Applications | Visas Issued | Visas Denied | Not issued rate for uniform visas |
| 2023 | French | Armenia | Yerevan | 11,802 | 10,537 | 1,265 | 10.90% |
| 2022 | French | Armenia | Yerevan | 10.080 | 9,058 | 1,022 | 10.20% |
| 2021 | French | Armenia | Yerevan | 1,930 | 1,664 | 215 | 11.40% |
French Schengen Visa for Armenian Citizens: Your Official Access to Europe
For citizens of Armenia seeking to explore France’s renowned cultural landscape, historical architecture, and modern elegance, the French Schengen visa serves as the official gateway. This short-stay visa permits travel not only throughout the French Republic but also across the 25 other countries within the Schengen Zone, for up to 90 days within a rolling 180-day period.
Applications for a French visa from Armenia are handled exclusively through France-visas, the official portal of the Embassy of France. This system guides applicants through each step, from selecting the correct visa type to preparing the required documents. Whether your journey is for tourism, education, or professional engagements, France-Visas ensures a clear, efficient process, helping to make your travel preparations as smooth as the adventures that await you.
French Visa Categories for Armenian Citizens: Choosing the Right Type
The Embassy of France in Armenia offers a structured range of visa categories designed to meet a variety of travel objectives. Whether your stay in France is intended for a brief visit or a long-term purpose, selecting the correct visa type is critical to ensuring your application is processed appropriately. Below is an overview of the main categories, each aligned with a specific purpose and legal basis.
- Short-Stay Visas (Type C – Up to 90 Days)
These visas are suitable for temporary visits and allow travel within the entire Schengen Zone for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Tourism or Private Visit
For leisure travel, visiting friends or non-immediate family, or short cultural stays.
- Young Traveller (Working Holiday Program)
For applicants benefiting from bilateral agreements allowing temporary residence and work under specific youth mobility frameworks.
- Volunteering
For individuals participating in recognized volunteer programs, typically within community, environmental, or social projects.
- Professional and Employment-Related Visas
These visas are intended for those conducting professional activities in France or seeking employment opportunities, including both temporary and long-term stays.
- Business Travel / Self-Employed
For short-term business trips or individuals planning to carry out independent professional activities.
- Job-Seeking / Business Creation
For graduates of French institutions or eligible applicants wishing to stay in France to look for employment or launch a startup.
- Salaried Employment
For individuals with a job offer from a French employer who meet work visa conditions.
- International Talents & Economic Attractiveness
A category encompassing highly qualified workers, researchers, investors, and other profiles under France’s “Passeport Talent” scheme.
- Young Employees
For early-career professionals participating in international mobility or bilateral exchange programs.
- Education and Youth Mobility Visas
These categories cover both long-term academic pursuits and youth-centered cultural exchange programs.
- Student Visa
For full-time academic study at a recognized French institution.
- Student Trainee / Internship
For those undertaking a structured internship as part of their academic program.
- Young Au Pair
For young people living with a host family in exchange for light childcare and language immersion.
- School-Going Minor
For minors enrolled in a French primary or secondary educational institution.
- Family-Related Visas
These categories are designed for individuals seeking to reunite with family members who are French citizens, EU nationals, or foreign nationals legally residing in France.
- Family of a European Union Citizen
For spouses or dependents of an EU national residing in France.
- Family of a French National
For spouses, children, or parents of French citizens seeking residence.
- Family of a Foreign National Residing in France
For reunification with relatives who hold valid French residence permits.
- Adoption
For children adopted by French residents or citizens, subject to legal confirmation of the adoption procedure.
Each visa category has its own eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and processing timeline. Armenian applicants are encouraged to consult the official France-Visas portal and ensure their selected category corresponds precisely with the nature of their planned stay.
Step-by-Step Process: Applying for a French Schengen Visa from Armenia
For Armenian nationals planning short-term travel to France, the application process for a French Schengen visa involves several clearly defined stages. Each step must be followed precisely to ensure that your application is complete, compliant, and submitted within the appropriate time frame.
Step 1: Assess Your Eligibility and Define the Visa Type
Begin your French Schengen visa from Armenia application by determining whether you require a visa and, if so, which type best corresponds to your travel purpose be it tourism, business, study, family visit, or cultural exchange.
Use the official France-Visas Visa Wizard to:
- Confirm your visa eligibility based on your nationality and intended stay
- Understand the associated visa fee
- Access a detailed list of required documents specific to your situation
Applicants who have spent time in the Schengen Area in the past six months are encouraged to use the Schengen Visa Calculator to determine the number of allowable remaining days within the 180-day window.
Step 2: Complete the Online Visa Application Form
Once you have identified the correct visa type, proceed to fill out your French Schengen visa fro Armenia application form via the France-Visas online portal. You will be guided through each section of the form.
Before submission, you will need to create a personal account on the France-Visas platform using your email address. This account allows you to:
- Save a partially completed form
- Receive your personal document checklist
- Book an appointment with TLS Contact
Once completed, print your CERFA form and the application summary, both of which must be submitted during your appointment.
Step 3: Schedule Your Appointment with TLS Contact Yerevan
After completing your online application, you must book an in-person appointment with TLS Contact Armenia to submit your French Schengen visa from Armenia documents and complete the biometric enrollment process.
Appointments must be booked:
- At least 15 calendar days before your planned travel date
- No earlier than 6 months prior to departure for short-stay visas
- No earlier than 3 months prior for long-stay visas
Appointment availability can fluctuate during peak travel periods, so early booking is recommended.
Step 4: Submit Your Application in Person
On the day of your appointment at TLS Contact Yerevan, arrive with:
- The printed visa application form (CERFA)
- Your appointment confirmation
- All required supporting documents, both originals and photocopies
During your visit:
- Your documents will be reviewed for completeness and compliance
- You will pay the applicable visa fee and service fee
- Biometric data will be collected: a digital photo and fingerprints (required for applicants aged 12 and above unless valid biometrics were submitted within the past 59 months)
The in-center appointment usually takes approximately 20 minutes.
Fees:
- Visa Fee (12 years and above): €90
- Visa Fee (6–11 years): €45
- Children under 6: Free of charge
- TLS Contact Service Fee: Not to exceed €40 per application
Fees are non-refundable, even in cases of visa refusal. Payment is accepted in AMD, by cash or card, at the centre.
If you are unable to attend in person and your biometric data is still valid, check with TLS Contact to see if a proxy submission is possible under your circumstances.
Step 5: Track Your Application and Collect Your Passport
Once your French Schengen visa from Armenia application has been submitted, you can track its progress using the TLS Contact tracking tool available on their website. You will need your application reference number to access status updates.
Visa applications are typically processed within 15 calendar days, although some may require up to 45 days depending on the complexity of the case.
Once a decision is made, you will be notified when your passport is ready for collection at the TLS Contact center. Depending on the services you selected, you may either:
- Collect your passport in person, or
- Receive it via postal delivery, if available
Always verify the details printed on the visa label such as validity dates, number of entries, and type of visa to ensure accuracy before finalizing any travel arrangements.
Essential Documentation Checklist for a French Schengen Visa from Armenia
If you’re a resident of Armenia preparing to visit France, assembling a complete and properly formatted application is crucial. The following checklist outlines the documentation required for a short-stay French Schengen visa (Type C). Each item must be presented in original and copy, and documents in languages other than French or English should be translated accordingly.
- Visa Application Form
- Complete the official CERFA Schengen visa application form via the France-Visas portal.
- Ensure all fields are filled accurately, with no inconsistencies compared to your travel documents.
- The form must be printed, signed, and brought to your TLS Contact appointment.
- Valid Passport
- Must have been issued within the past 10 years.
- Requires at least two blank pages.
- Valid for a minimum of three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Zone.
- Include photocopies of all passport pages, including prior Schengen visas and stamps.
- Previous Travel Documentation
- Provide copies of previous Schengen visas, including entry/exit stamps, if applicable.
- If you hold any expired or secondary passports, submit copies of those as well.
- Photographs
- Two recent biometric passport photos, not older than 6 months.
- Format: 35mm x 45mm, light background, neutral expression, no headwear or accessories.
- Travel Medical Insurance
- Must be valid in all Schengen countries, with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
- Should include emergency medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation.
- Submit a confirmation document from the insurer showing full policy details.
- Proof of Employment or Status
- Employed Applicants:
- An official letter from your employer specifying:
- Job title, salary, and start date
- Approved leave dates or reason for travel
- Employer’s full contact information
- An official letter from your employer specifying:
- Self-Employed:
- Business registration certificate
- Tax documents or official letterhead confirming business activity
- Students:
- Enrollment certificate from your educational institution
- Confirmation of travel dates if outside the academic calendar
- Financial Documentation
- Submit a bank statement covering at least the last three months, issued on official bank letterhead.
- Your account should show regular activity and a balance sufficient to cover your stay.
- If your trip is sponsored, include:
- A signed sponsorship letter
- Sponsor’s financial documents and proof of relationship (if applicable)
- Travel Itinerary
- Provide a round-trip flight reservation showing tentative dates of travel.
- Do not purchase tickets until your visa is approved.
- Accommodation Arrangements
- Hotel reservation for the full duration of your stay.
- If staying in private property:
- A lease agreement or property deed
- If hosted by a private individual:
- An invitation letter from your host
- Copy of host’s passport or residence permit if they are a non-French national
- Additional Documentation (If Applicable)
- For minors, include:
- Birth certificate
- Parental consent form, notarized and translated, if travelling without both parents
- Copy of parents’ passports, visa (if applicable), and travel itinerary
- For third-country nationals residing in Armenia:
- Proof of legal residence (e.g., Armenian residence card or long-stay visa)
Proper preparation of these documents significantly increases the likelihood of a successful visa outcome. Always double-check requirements on the official France-Visas Armenia page or consult TLS Contact Yerevan for updated instructions.
TLScontact Contact Information
Contact details:
7/3 Argishti Street, 0015 Yerevan, Armenia
Call center:
+374 60 54 00 44
