Visas / Entry into France

Getting a visa

All nationals who require a visa to enter any of the Schengen States (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Icland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherland, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovénia, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic) as a tourist or for business may be issued a Short-stay Visa of up to 90 days duration. Visas are valid for travel to and within each of these countries.

Visas for longer stays and for specific purposes such as employment or education are subject to the laws and regulation of the destination country.

The visa section of the embassy of France in Brunei operates by appointment only, from 09.00 am to 12.00 noon from Monday to Friday.

• Visa may be applied for at the Embassy of the Republic of France, if your main destination or the first arrival destination/country is Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Czech Republic (and Lithuania from 1st December 2011).

• Should your destination be another Schengen country, please contact the nearest relevant Embassy or diplomatic mission authorised to issue Schengen Visa for this country.

Do you need a visa ?

According to your citizenship, the duration and purpose of your stay in France, a visa may be required before departure.

Bruneian citizens holding a valid Bruneian passport do not need a visa if they intend to travel to Schengen countries and stay for not more than 90 days for tourism or business purpose.

Bruneian certificate of identity holders need to obtain a visa which will be valid only for France and stay for not more than 90 days for tourism or business purpose.

To check if you need a visa, to get some information about the visa application procedure and to download application form, you should consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Visa fee

An application fee must be paid cash, in Brunei Dollars, upon application.

Documents required for visa processing by Embassy of the Republic of France

Visa applicant must submit the followings:

• one fully completed and signed application form;

• a current passport valid for at least 3 months after you have completed your visit. If you have previous Schengen States Visa or UK Visa in your existing/old passports, please photocopy them to support your application;

  

• two recent (within the last three months) full face colour photos, size of 35mm x 45mm with white background. The head should center in the frame with 10mm from the forehead line to the upper border. The head measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin should measure between 20 mm to 25 mm, side or angled views are NOT ACCEPTED (see graphic shown);

• original employment contracts with Labour Department of Brunei Darussalam and Letter of Employment;

• a confirmed return ticket or travel itinerary;

• proof of the reservation of accommodation for the complete duration of stay in the Schengen countries (including the hotel name and address, dates of checking in and out of the hotel) ;

• original letter of sponsorship from employer (stating the purposes of the applicant’s visit, applicant’s position, date of commencement of employment, monthly salary, duration of leave applied for the trip and date of resume for duty;

• original invitation letter from the company abroad, stating purposes and dates of the trip (for business purpose);

• proof of sufficient financial means for last six months;

• travel insurance valid for the length of the stay and for all Schengen countries, covering medical repatriation and hospital care. A minimum corresponding to 30,000 euros is mandatory;

• the appropriate visa processing fee in cash term.

Photocopies

Applicants MUST submit all ORIGINAL supporting documents at the time of submission and provide a photocopy of each original documents required for the visa application. Original documents will be returned after verification.

Visas for Minors

Minors wishing to apply for a visa must provide the written consent of both parents or their legal guardian(s).

Medical Treatment

If you wish to travel to Europe for medical treatment each of the following additional documents (together with photocopies) must be included with your visa application:

• a medical certificate issued by your doctor in Brunei Darussalam;

• written confirmation of an appointment in a hospital or with a doctor;

• evidence of sufficient funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and expenses.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• There is no legal right to a visa and visas are issued at the discretion of the Embassy.

• Once a visa has been issued and the visa holder has entered a Schengen State, the purpose of the visit cannot be changed.

• Additional documents may be asked to support the application.

• Visa processing fee is not refundable, whatever the outcome of the application.

• Applicants are advised to call from Monday to Friday (9.00 am to 12.00 noon) to make appointments on visa enquiry and submission.

• Visa application could take up to 21 days of processing and applicants shall take into consideration the schedule for appointments to avoid delay.