| 1. What is a Schengen visa ? |
| Sri Lankan citizens travelling to Schengen countries on business or as tourists may receive a uniform visa for a short stay of 1 to 90 days valid for Sweden and Finland (Embassy of Sweden), Germany, Austria, Estonia and Latvia (Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany), Italy, Greece and Malta (Embassy of Italy), The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Slovenia (Royal Netherlands Embassy), Norway, Denmark, and Iceland (Royal Norwegian Embassy), Sweden and Finland (Embassy of Sweden), France, Portugal and Spain (Embassy of the Republic of France). The Embassy of the main destination is responsible for processing the uniform Schengen visa. If main destination cannot be determined, responsibility for processing the visa lies with the Embassy of the Schengen state of first entry. |
| 2. How can I get the free application forms
? |
| Application forms can be downloaded from the Embassy website as well as the V.F.S website 24 hours a day : http://www.ambafrance-lk.org/article.php3?id_article=339 www.vfs-france.com Application forms can also be collected from V.F.S. French visa application centre (Level 6,East tower,World Trade Centre,Colombo 01), from Mondays to Thursdays from 8.00 am to 01.00 pm and from 8.00 am to 10.30 am on Fridays. |
| 3. When can I apply ? |
| Applications have to be submitted between 3 months and at least 10 days before the planned departure. The visa section is open every morning from Tuesday to Friday. Long stay visa applicants are received by appointment on Mondays only. All short stay and Family Reunion Long stay applicants should handover the documents Mondays to Fridays to V.F.S, except Spouses of European nationals, holders of diplomatic or official passports and other categories of long stay visa applicants (students, work permit, visitors,…) |
| 4. Can somebody apply for me ? |
| No. Applicant shall call over in person. Travel agents or other individuals are not allowed to represent the applicant. |
| 5. Where can I collect the requirement list
for a Schengen visa ? |
Requirement list can be downloaded from the Embassy website as well as the V.F.S website 24 hours a day :
http://www.ambafrance-lk.org/article.php3?id_article=339
www.vfs-france.com
Requirement List can also be collected from V.F.S. French visa application centre (Level 6,East tower,Worl Trade Centre,Colombo 01 , from Mondays to Thursdays from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 8.00 am to 10.30 am on Fridays. |
| 6. I travel for business. What are the visa
procedures ? |
| Businessmen will be received at the Embassy by appointment after submitting their files at V.F.S. visa application centre, Level 6,East tower,World Trade centre,Colombo 01. The centre is open from Mondays to Thursdays from 8.00 am to 01.00 pm and from 8.00 am to 10.30 am on Fridays. V.F.S. will schedule the appointments to be held at the Embassy and will be in charge of returning passports at the end of the visa process. V.F.S. will require a fee of 1400 LKR plus taxes for its service. For further information, visa applicants are kindly requested to call the V.F.S. center: 451 63 21or send an email to info.francesl@vfshelpline.com |
| 7. I travel for tourism or in transit. What
are the visa procedures ? |
| Tourist/transit applicants will be received by appointment after submitting their files at V.F.S. visa application centre, Level 6,East tower,World Trade centre,Colombo 01 . The centre is open from Mondays to Thursdays from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 8.00 am to 10.30 am on Fridays. V.F.S. will schedule the appointments to be held at the Embassy and will be in charge of returning passports at the end of the visa process. V.F.S. will require a fee of 1400 LKR plus taxes for its service. For further information, visa applicants are kindly requested to call the V.F.S. center: 451 63 21 or send a mail to info.francesl@vfshelpline.com. |
| 8. How much does it cost for a Schengen
visa? |
| Schengen visa costs the equivalent in Sri Lankan rupees of 60 Euros according to the French official exchange rate at the time of payment. |
| 9. How long does it takes to get back my
passport ? |
The Embassy of France requires a minimum of three working days to process a visa application.
Applications shall be processed within 15 calendar days of the date of lodging of an admissible application. In individual cases, notably when further scrutiny is needed or in cases of representation, this period may be extended up to 30 calendar days. When additional documentation is needed, the period may be extended up to 60 calendar days.
However, if a passport is handed over with a complete application and supporting documents on Tuesday, for example, it might be collected on Friday; if it is handed over on Wednesday, it might be collected on Monday. |
| 10. How can I collect my passport ? |
| Passport can be collected from Mondays to Thursdays from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm and on Fridays 01.30pm-02.30pm from V.F.S. French visa application centre, Level 6,East tower,World trade centre ,Colombo 01 |
| 11. What shall I do if my application is
incomplete ? |
| Applicant should provide a complete file. If additional documents are required, a form stating the missing documents is handed over to the applicant by V.F.S. If application is incomplete after submission at V.F.S., the visa will be refused. |
| 12. My visa is rejected. What shall I do ? |
If your visa has been rejected and unless you can provide further elements modifying your application, this decision will not be changed. |
| 13. My visa is rejected. Can I get the
reasons for refusal ? |
| With very few exceptions stated in French laws, the Embassy of France does not state the reasons for refusal of visa. |
| 14. My visa is rejected. Can I get a refund
of the visa fees ? |
| Visa fees are not reimbursed even in case of visa refusal. |
| 15. I am travelling to Spain or Portugal for
business or tourism. How shall I apply ? |
| Visa procedures and visa requirements for Spain or Portugal are the same as those for France. |
| 16. My visa to Spain or Portugal has not
been granted. How can I appeal ? |
| The French Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Maldives is not competent to handle appeals for Spanish or Portuguese visas. According to your destination, you have to contact directly either the Embassy of Spain in India (16, Sunder Nagar, New Delhi 110 003, India, +91.11 435 90 04), or the Embassy of Portugal in India (13, Sundar Nagar, New Delhi 110 003, India, +91.11 435 12 52). |
| 17. Do VFS accept long stay visa applications to France? |
| The Embassy of France in Colombo has entrusted the company VFS from 2nd January 2007 onwards to handle Family Reunion visas to France . This center will become the focal point for submitting the application form that has been directly sent to the applicants by the French Embassy itself, required supporting documents and payment of the long stay visa fees. Visa fees amount will be notify at the time of submission of the application.
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