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AMBASSADE DE FRANCE AUPRES DES ETATS DE L’OECS
APPLICATION FOR LONG STAY VISA TO STUDY IN FRANCE
OR FRENCH OVERSEAS DEPARTMENTS
VERY IMPORTANT : INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
a)
Completed application along with necessary documents must be presented. The list of the supporting documents is
non-exhausting. The French Embassy reserved the right to require additional document depending on your application
(situation, nationality, motive of your entry…etc.) In such case, you will be contacted by a visa officer.
The visa decision is defined by our concerned Ministry Department or the consular authority attached to your
destination and / or the Chief of the visa section.
b)
All applications must be made in person, each time that a visa will be needed to allow fingerprinting and digital
photograph because of biometric visa which is applicable in this embassy since October 2008.
c)
For security measure only applicants are allowed in the room for the interview and fingerprints except minor children
accompany by their parents or legal guardian
d)
Please be informed that visas ARE NOT ISSUED in one day. Visa cannot be obtain on the day of your interview
or on the day that you submitted your application
e)
Submitting an application with all relevant supporting documents does not guarantee the issuance of the visa
f)
On the day of the interview, the applicants must provide a photocopy of all original documents, which he/she may
want in returned since photocopies cannot be made at the French Embassy. If the applicant decides to submit the
originals without photocopies, these will NOT be given back once a decision has been taken on the said application.
g)
On the day of the interview, the applicant must bring along a photocopy of the passport (which must include the biopage, issue and expiry dates, permit of stay/work, Schengen, US Canadian, UK or any other non-Schengen visas
obtained during the last 3 years).
h)
The Embassy will only accept documents which are in the French of English language, documents in any other
language must be translated.
i)
There is a 7 to 60 (working) days processing period from the date of receipt of your application. Depending on your
case, your nationality and the type of visa being requested, the waiting period may be extended in special cases.
j)
In addition to the list of requirements below, persons with passports (or travel document) of a nationality other than the
actual one in which they are residing or employed, must present either a valid work permit, CARICOM skills
certificate or resident stamp on the passport which must have a validity of 3 months minimum after the expiry
date of the visa being applied for.
k)
Nationals and residents of the residents of the nine countries stated below are within our consular jurisdiction.
However, only those who reside in those countries can submit their application to this embassy. Those who reside
out of this jurisdiction must apply to the competent consular representative of their place of residence ( e.g. bearers of
St. Lucian passport who do not reside in O.E.C.S. member states cannot apply for visa in our embassy):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
l)
St Lucia
Antigua & Barbuda
Dominica
Grenada
St Kitts & Nevis
St Vincent & the Grenadines
Anguilla
Tortola
Montserrat
Visas applications lodged earlier than 3 months prior to the planned date of travel cannot be processed
m) The Embassy only accepts eastern Caribbean dollars (EC $) IN CASH as payment for application fees. No other
currency and other form of payment are accepted. Applications fees are subject to change every two weeks or at the
end of the month.
Application fees for long stay to study:
i) French, foreign Government or International Organization grants/scholarships and for participants in EU
programs = free of charge
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AMBASSADE DE FRANCE AUPRES DES ETATS DE L’OECS
ii)
Students whose files have being examined by the a university of France (ECF) and approved by the Culture
Department of this Embassy = half price, which is the equivalent of 49.50 €uros payable in EC $
iii) Other students = equivalent of 99.00 €uros payable in EC $
n)
Persons holding European passports do not require long stay visas.
o)
Persons who do not reside in Saint Lucia will have to return to their country with their passport. A visa agent will contact
you when a decision is taken on your visa and whether you have to return the passport to the Embassy. This can be
done via Express Mail call, FEDEX, DHL or LIAT QUIKPAK with a prepaid return or if you have courier account
numbers in order to return the passport to you. LIAT QUIKPAK also offers a freight collect service where you pay upon
delivery of the package. Persons whishing to leave their passport at the Embassy on the day of the interview should
contact the relevant immigration authorities of their country about the possibility of using another document to travel.
THE FRENCH EMBASSY IS NOT REPONSIBLE FOR LOST ITEMS DURING SHIPPING.
EACH APPLICANT MUST BE IN POSSESSION THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ON THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT:
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1 recent coloured passport sized photograph (of less than 6 months): “the picture must be taken from the
front (full face) and not slightly on a side with relax or smiling face without showing your teeth. It must
also be bareheaded, dimension 3, 5 x 4,5 cm and perfectly resembling. Ensure that eyes, ears and the
forehead are well exposed. The picture must also have a white background”
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The non-refundable application fee (in EC$) in cash. Please contact the Embassy for the exact amount since it may
vary depending on the date of your application. Applicants are advised to come with exact amount to avoid delays.
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1 visa application form for long stay with all relevant questions answered, dully filled in capital letters, dated and
signed. Parent or legal guardian must sign application for persons of 18 years and under. Application forms can be
obtained at the French Embassy in Saint Lucia, or at the French Consulate in each OECS Member State or online at :
www.ambafrance-lc.org
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Applicants below the age of 18 must be accompanied by parent (s) or legal guardian. Please bring along the
child’s birth certificate (+ photocopy) as proof of parentage or legal document as proof of guardianship. In a case
where the biological parent(s) is/are deceased, a death certificate(s) (+ photocopy) must be presented. Parent(s)
or legal guardian must also present some form of identification (+ photocopy). A consent form must be signed by
parent(s), or legal guardian(s). The consent form can be obtained at : www.ambafrance-lc.org
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A passport with at least TWO blank pages (meaning 2 pages back and front blank, without any stamp(s) or visa
on these pages). The passport must be valid throughout the applicant’s intended travel + a minimum of three
months from the date of travel (Validity of the visa + 3 months). Photocopies of the bio-page of the passport along
with all schengen visas issued during the past 3 years as well as the immigration entry stamps and all other valid
visas must also be provided.
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A detailed travel itinerary from airline, maritime company, travel agent whichever relevant, and/or rail ticket or
ferry confirmation. This itinerary must indicate the departure from your place of residence to your destination.Email prints out or fax copy or any other form must be very clear and very illegible. Please do not purchase
tickets until your visa is approved. The paid ticket may be asked only after approval of the visa.
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Documentary evidence of the academic aspect:
• registration or pre-registration at a private of public educational establishment, or continuous higher
vocational training establishment in France with documentary evidence of total or partial payment of the
tuition fees (according to the law of the establishment)
• Copy of the last diploma, or certificate of participation or attendance in an institution, a training program or
last high school attended,
• Or decision of award of a French or Foreign Government or International Organisation grant/scholarship
• Documentary evidence of aptitude to the French level and the type of study
• And if the case arises, French “baccalauréat” or document indicating registration in a French university for
“baccalauréat” within 3 years
• Or certificate from a high school in France indicating full success to a competitive examination
Means of living in France:
For persons holding French government, Foreign Government or International Organization grants/scholarships and for
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AMBASSADE DE FRANCE AUPRES DES ETATS DE L’OECS
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participants in EU programs:
• official paper detailing the amount and duration of the grant/scholarship or certificate of participation in a EU
program.
For other applicants:
• bank certificate indicating that the total amount has been or will be transferred on a French bank account
•
or certificate of assumption of responsibility for payment by a guarantor in France or out of France, presented
together with the following documents: photocopy of guarantor’s identity paper (national identity card or
passport or residence permit for France), and documentary evidence of his financial resources (e.g. most
recent pay slips, and most recent income tax assessment)
• Or certificate of assumption of responsibility for payment by a well known company, establishment or
institution with documentary evidence of its true reality of existence and operation
• Or accommodation available free of charge presented by a host or an institution or an establishment with a
written certificate signed and dated with a copy of an identification for verification of the signature
Accommodation in France for the first 3 months:
• Hotel booking with proof of sufficient resources to cover the cost
• Or a sworn statement from a host
• Or a certificate from an establishment or institution
• Or a letter with all credible explanation relative to the condition of the accommodation
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE EMBASSY AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:
FRENCH EMBASSY TO THE OECS MEMBER STATES IN ST LUCIA
NELSON MANDELA DRIVE, VIGIE
PRIVATE BOX, G.P.O.
CASTRIES
SAINT LUCIA (WI)
TEL: 1 758 455-6060
FAX: 1 758 455-6086/6076/6056
EMAIL: visas.frenchembslu@gmail.com
WEB. www.ambafrance-lc.org www.diplomatie.gouv.fr
Applications fees are subject to change every two weeks or end of the month. The amount can only be paid in
Eastern Caribbean dollars (EC$) in CASH.
Please be informed that visas ARE NOT ISSUED on the day of application.
Applicants are asked to bring along a photocopy of passport (page with personal details, issue and expiry dates,
permit of stay/work, previous Schengen visa, US, Canadian or any other non Schengen visa)
All other nationals residing or employed in the O.E.C.S. member countries must present a copy of valid
work permit, Caricom Skills Certificate or resident stamp on passport which must have a validity of 3
months minimum after the expiry date of the visa requested.
Applicants must provide a photocopy of any original
document he/she may want returned.
Applicants are asked to thoroughly read ALL visa requirements before travelling to St-Lucia or before
presenting themselves for their appointment in order to avoid unnecessary delay in the processing of their
application: if any document is missing, applicants will have to re-schedule another appointment.
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AMBASSADE DE FRANCE AUPRES DES ETATS DE L’OECS
Important: All NON–NATIONALS OF THE OECS MEMBER COUNTRIES should contact the
Immigration Department of Saint Lucia to verify whether an entry visa is required into Saint Lucia.
Tel: (758) 456-4055 - Fax: (758) 456-3823 - Email: immigration@rslpf.com - Website: www.stlucia.gov.lc
You must have an appointment to be able to present yourself in the visa section because
of biometric visa (digital photograph and finger printing). To make an appointment,
please call (758) 455-6075, or send and e-mail at frenchconsulate@candw.lc or make a
request by fax at (1758) 455 60 86. It is recommended to book your appointment at least
2 months before your date of travelling.
Call or send an e-mail to confirm the administrative fee just before the day of your
appointment.
All non-nationals of the OECS Member States who require a visa to enter into St. Lucia must be in
possession of an appointment letter.
In order to provide a confirmed appointment letter, all applicants residing in the O.E.C.S. member countries,
who required a visa to enter into St. Lucia, are asked to complete the following questionnaire:
SURNAME:
FIRST NAME:
NATIONALITY:
PLACE OF RESIDENCE:
DATE OF BIRTH:
PASSPORT NUMBER:
DATE OR ISSUE:
DATE OF EXPIRY:
DATE OF APPOINTMENT:
TIME OF APPOINTMENT:
DESTINATION:
MOTIVE:
DURATION OF VISA REQUIRED:
PLANNED DATE OF TRAVELLING: