What Filipinos Need to Know About the New France Visa Appointment System in 2025

If you're dreaming of sipping coffee by the Eiffel Tower or exploring the lavender fields of Provence, here’s something important you need to know: France has launched a new mandatory online visa appointment system for 2025. Whether you’re applying for a short-stay Schengen visa to explore Europe or a long-stay national visa to study, work, or join family in France, you now have to follow a new 5-step online process.

Image credit: France Visa | Mirsad Sarajlic via Cava Pro

This update affects all international travellers, including Filipinos, and is already in effect. The aim? To make the France visa process smoother and reduce long queues and overbooked slots at visa centres. Here's everything you need to know before booking that flight from Manila to Paris.

Also read: When In France: Paris For First-Time Travellers

How to apply for a French Visa in 2025

Image credit: Ambassade De France Aux Philippines Et En Micronesia Official Website

Step 1: Use the visa wizard for France

Your journey begins with the Visa Wizard, an online tool that helps you determine whether you need a visa, what type it should be, and which documents you need to prepare. Whether you're applying for a French Schengen visa for tourism or a France national visa for a longer stay, this tool is your go-to guide. It also provides the latest visa fees and step-by-step application instructions.

Step 2: Check your days with the visa calculator tool

If you’ve travelled in the Schengen Area within the past 6 months, the Visa Calculator tool helps you figure out how many days of your 90-day allowance you have left. This is especially useful for Filipinos with multiple Schengen visits, helping you avoid overstaying.

Step 3: Book online via Demarches Simplifiées

Once you know which visa you need, head over to the Demarches Simplifiées portal to register. You’ll need to fill out a digital form with your travel dates, passport details, and reason for travel. This step is required for all applicants. It’s no longer possible to book an appointment directly through the embassy or visa centre without using this system.

Step 4: Confirm your appointment via email

After submitting your request on Demarches Simplifiées, you’ll receive an email with your France visa appointment details. But here’s the catch: you must confirm your appointment by replying to the email. If you don’t, your slot will be cancelled automatically. Many applicants have missed their chance just because they didn’t check their inbox.

Step 5: Finalise your application on the France-Visas website

Once your appointment is confirmed, complete your application on the France-Visas website. Print out your form and gather all required documents, including passport photos, flight bookings, and proof of accommodation. Then show up at the visa centre on your scheduled day.

What happens at the visa centre?

Image credit: Ambassade De France Aux Philippines Et En Micronesia Official Website

When you arrive at the visa centre, be prepared for a thorough identity check. Make sure the ID you bring matches the one you used during the online booking, any mismatch could lead to your application being rejected. During your appointment, your biometric data (fingerprints and photographs) will be collected. You’ll also be required to pay the visa fee, and your passport will be retained for processing.

Here’s good news for returning travellers: if your fingerprints were collected within the past 59 months, you might be exempt from attending the appointment in person.

Processing time and passport pickup

The standard processing time for a France travel visa is around 15 calendar days, but more complex applications can take up to 45 days. Once your visa is ready, you’ll get a notification, and you can pick up your passport from the same centre where you applied.

Tips for a smooth application

• Always double-check your documents before your appointment.

• Use the Visa Wizard and Visa Calculator tools for guidance.

• Confirm your appointment email immediately to avoid delays.

• Bring the same identification used when registering online.

Also read: Air France to Launch Manila-Paris Direct Flights This December

Final thoughts

The new France visa procedure for international travellers may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but it’s designed to make your application more efficient. For Filipino travellers planning a European getaway or a long-term move, understanding this updated system is key to avoiding unnecessary stress.

Now that you know how to book a France visa appointment in 2025, you’re one step closer to that picture-perfect trip. Bon voyage, kabayan!