Visitor Visa - long stay ( more than 3 months )

Make an appointment

 One appointment must be made for each passport holder. Applicants will need to make an appointment during the opening hours of the Consulate of France : 9.15 am to 1.15 pm, Monday to Friday.
Applicants will not be admitted to the Consulate if they do not have an appointment.

Appointments can be made by calling the Embassy: (04) 384 2555.

 When making an appointment, please provide:

• your full name,
• your nationality,
• the dates of your trip,
• the places that will be visited on your trip,
• the purpose of your trip,
• your phone number.
  

 If applicants are unable to attend an appointment, they should amend or cancel it.

Who requires a long stay visa for France?

Applicants who wish to stay in France for more than three months require a long stay visa.

List of documents required to apply:

• Completed and signed OFII form;
• Completed and signed long stay visa application form. Click here for a translation of the application form;
• One recent passport photograph;
• Passport (valid for at least three months after return date)
  + two photocopies of your passport
  + two photocopies of any passport pages with stamps on them;
• One photocopy of documents providing proof of your financial stability (pay slips, bank statements);
• Evidence of social or professional circumstances (pay slip, work certificate from your employer, student card, certificate of school or university attendance, retirement pension…) ;
• One copy of a declaration stating that you will not have paid employment at any point during your stay (a declaration is required for each adult applicant) ;
• One copy of proof of accommodation in France (hotel bookings, lease, proof of ownership or a letter from your host stating your address of residence in the country during your stay and their desire to host you);
• Proof of subscription to insurance - covering unlimited medical expenses and repatriation for the entire duration of stay;
• For children under 18: one photocopy of enrolment at a school in France;
• A copy of your criminal record to be obtained from the Ministry of Justice;
• A pre-paid courier envelope with the applicant’s address provided for return of passport (please keep its tracking number);
• Long stay visa fee. Please click here for the latest visa fees. Please note that visa fees must be paid in cash or by bank cheque (no personal cheques).
  
  

How long will the application take to process?

 The amount of time it takes to process a visa varies considerably. As a result, we ask applicants to begin the process, which includes making an appointment at the Consulate of France in Wellington, at least three weeks prior to the date of departure.

 Two months before the visa expires, you can extend your stay by applying for a residence permit called the carte de séjour at the nearest Préfecture de Police.

 It is your responsibility to provide us with a complete application.

 If any documents are missing from your application, it is highly likely that your visa will not be granted.