To apply visa Schengen through France, you need to make sure your first entry or longest stay is in France (whether you stay in Paris or other cities in France). The lady in Embassy really strict regarding this. Last time, she looked at my flight ticket and count my stay from accommodation reservation and itinerary. I can't say apply visa from France is easier than other European countries in Malaysia, because I saw one applicant in front of me got rejected with long list of reason (yes, they give you a paper why the reject your visa) and I only got 1 month stay period (hiks..this is the shortest period I ever received).
Please be noted that France Embassy doesn't has any representative to do your visa. So please be smart while you do browsing. the safest way is start from France embassy website if you want to find out the detail. Actually, you can find everything in their website, but here's the summary I can give to you:
1. Complete your Application online
As far as I applied visa, France visa is the easiest in term of filling the data. They provide you some questions or multiple choice by online. After you finish all the question, they provide the form that can be downloaded or directly print out. While other country directly give you the form, and you fill in by hand writing or type in. You can access the form in here.
You can save and edit your application, so you can fill in while you prepare the supporting document. But I advise to fill in while all the document is complete, it easier for you.
2. Prepare the Supporting Document
- Application form dated and signed
- ID photograph size 3.5x4cm or you can see the requirement here
- Copy of your legal residency in Malaysia (residence permit, etc.). In my case, I provide my Employment Pass and I-kad.
- Original and Copy passport (valid for at least three months after the planned date of return)
- Pre-booked return ticket (because my flight is from Jakarta, so I also provide ticket KL-Jakarta along with ticket to Europe)
- Detail itinerary (my advise while make an itinerary, put the destination in Paris Area, touristy and free of charge. Just in case they will compare all the expense with your saving account. But if you have huge saving so it won't be any issue lol).
- Travel health insurance certificate (cf FAQ), which can cover your medical costs during the trip up to Eur 30,000 (I bought AXA smart traveller VIP RM84. check this website for detail. The price will be adjusted based on the period stay in Europe)
- Accommodation reservation (I used booking.com and Agoda.com with free cancellation)
- 3 last months bank statements or 3 last payslips or pension statement (I provide my bank statement and payslip. Last time the lady who receive my application, really check the transaction in my bank statements, also she look at my payslip).
- Employment contract or Reference letter from your office in Malaysia
3. Booking your appointment
Before access this website, you need to make sure that your browser is/ your computer has:
- Internet Explorer 6 (windows) and higher versions with service pack 2 or
- Firefox 1 and higher versions or
- Mozilla 1.7.8 and higher versions
- Adobe Reader 5 or higher to print your appointment receipt (with barcode)
- Pop-ups must be enabled
After you done all the process, you just need to give all the document in France Embassy. Last time I received my visa within 3days. Based on my experience, you can apply France Visa by yourself, no need hire agent because the process is quite easy. You can choose early morning to submit the visa and for collection they only give you 30 minutes (12.30-13.00).
Here's some information:
France Embassy in Malaysia: Integra Tower, Level 31 (You can access this building from Intermark Mall. If you use LRT, get off in Ampang Park LRT and walk around 10mins). Check in google maps
Visa Fee: RM 283
Good luck and Enjoy your Holiday. If you want to ask some things related this application, feel free to leave your comment.
-by travelling, you will know yourself better-
