France Visa RequirementsFor Afghanistan passport holders
Afghan citizens require a Schengen visa to visit France, costing €90 ($98 USD). With the French Embassy in Kabul having suspended consular services, Afghan applicants must apply at the French Embassy in Islamabad or another regional capital. The visa allows up to 90 days in the Schengen Area.
Afghanistan passport holders require a visa to enter France.
Apply at the French Embassy in Islamabad or the French Consulate in Dubai. Complete the online application at France-Visas (france-visas.gouv.fr), then book an appointment to submit documents and provide biometrics. Required documents: completed online application form, valid Afghan passport (at least 3 months beyond return from Schengen), two biometric passport photos, travel insurance (minimum €30,000 Schengen-wide), confirmed return flight bookings, hotel reservations for entire stay, 3 months of bank statements, employment letter and payslips, and any additional documents proving ties to your country of residence. Processing takes 15 business days, up to 45 in peak periods.
France is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond departure from Schengen
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
Afghanistan to France: What You Need to Know
France is a Schengen member: a French Schengen visa grants access to all 27 Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The Schengen fee is €90 since June 2024. The French Embassy in Kabul suspended operations in August 2021. Afghan nationals must apply at the French Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, or at the French Consulate in Dubai, UAE, where they have legal presence. French Schengen visa applications for Afghans undergo a more thorough review given Afghanistan's situation. Applicants are typically required to demonstrate strong ties outside Afghanistan and genuine tourist intent.
How to Get There
No direct flights connect Afghan airports to France. Common routings go via Dubai (DXB) with Emirates or via Istanbul (IST) with Turkish Airlines then connecting to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY). Alternatively, route via Doha (DOH) with Qatar Airways then Air France to CDG. From Islamabad, PIA or other carriers connect to Gulf hubs with onward connections. Total journey time is typically 12 to 18 hours from the region.
Money & Banking
France uses the euro (EUR). Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted. France is moderately to expensively priced by European standards: Paris is among the most expensive European cities, but provincial France offers better value. Budget accommodation in Paris from €60 to €80 per night in youth hostels or budget hotels. Meals from €12 to €18 in brasseries. The Paris Metro is an affordable and efficient way to get around. ATMs are widely available. Tipping is not mandatory but 5 to 10 percent is appreciated.
Practical Tips
Paris's Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral (reopened December 2024 after restoration), and the Palace of Versailles are among the world's most visited attractions. The French Riviera (Nice, Cannes, Monaco) offers Mediterranean beaches and glamour. Provence is renowned for lavender fields, Roman ruins, and Provencal cuisine. Bordeaux and Burgundy are world-famous wine regions. The Loire Valley has hundreds of Renaissance chateaux (UNESCO). Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy is a stunning island abbey. French cuisine and cafe culture are UNESCO-listed intangible heritage.