Today, quite a lot of our compatriots choose France as their vacation destination. This is not at all surprising, because this European country attracts us not only with its rich history and culture (reflected in numerous monuments that are world-famous attractions), delicious food, shopping, but also the opportunity to have a great time, basking on the beach and admiring the azure waves seas. However, to visit France, Russians (as well as other citizens of the CIS) require a Schengen visa. By the way, having received it, you may well go on a trip to other European countries. The issue of visas is handled by the Consulate of France in Russia, or rather, the visa department created under it. Today we invite you to get to know this institution better, as well as find out what needs to be done to get a visa.
French Consulate inMoscow: features and services
Relations between Russia and the French Republic have been established for a long time. Today, the functions of the embassy of this country include maintaining and developing relations between states at all levels. Also, the French Consulate is engaged in informing our compatriots about various events taking place in this European power, as well as providing various information regarding study, work and tourism opportunities. At present, the Ambassador of France to the Russian Federation is Mr. Jean-Maurice Ripert. He was appointed to this position in 2013, succeeding his predecessor, Jean de Gliniasty.
Consulate of the French Republic in the Russian Federation: contact details, historical background
Until 1917, the French embassy was located in St. Petersburg on Palace Embankment. From 1860 to 1902 it was called Gagarinskaya, then French, and now it is known as Kutuzov Embankment. Today, the agency we are considering has settled in the capital of Russia. The French Consulate in Moscow (phone number 784-71-47) is located at 10 Kazansky Lane. However, if you plan to obtain a visa to this country, then you need to go to the France Visa Application Centre. It is also located in Moscow at Marksistskaya Street, Building 3, Building 2. The visa department is open from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.
How to get to the consulate
To get intoConsulate of France in the Russian capital, you need to go along the Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya metro line to the Oktyabrskaya station. Having risen to the surface, you need to go in the direction of Kaluga Square, then find Kaluga Lane, where the diplomatic mission is located. In principle, you can literally walk from the metro station to the consulate in five minutes.
How to get to the France Visa Application Center
If you plan to apply for a French visa, you need to get to the Marxistskaya metro station. Having risen to the surface, you need to turn onto Marksistskaya Street and walk about 400 meters. The Visa Application Center will be on the left side of the street.
French Consulate in Moscow: obtaining a visa
You can get a French visa either by collecting and submitting all the necessary papers yourself, or by using the services of one of the many travel companies that assist in this process. Be that as it may, the full list of documents to be submitted to the French Consulate is as follows:
- A foreign passport with a validity period not earlier than three months from the date of the planned return of the traveler to Russia. If you have two valid passports, you must provide both documents.
- Old international passport with existing visas (if available).
- Two color matte photos on a light background. Their size should be 3.5 by 4.5 centimeters.
- Help from yourplaces of work. It must be printed on company letterhead and be signed and stamped. The certificate must indicate your position, salary, as well as the contact details of the organization.
- Confirmation of solvency. To do this, you must provide an extract from your bank account or credit card account for the amount of the following calculation: at least sixty euros for each day of the trip.
- He alth insurance policy with a validity period covering the entire period of your stay in the territory of the Schengen countries.
- Photocopies of all pages of the internal Russian passport.
- Booking air or train tickets.
- Paid hotel reservation for the entire stay in France.
- If you plan to travel with a child under 18, you will need his birth certificate (original and copy) and a notarized consent for the child to travel abroad from the second parent (if he remains in Russia).
