If you plan to stay in France more than 3 months (depending on your nationality), you are required to obtain an appointment on-line to apply for a visa at the Consulate General of France in Houston.

Although it is important that you apply early, note that for planning purposes, you can not make an appointment more than 6 weeks in advance (except for the long-stay visitor visa applicants).

It is the responsibility of every applicant to make sure they make an appointment prior to coming to the visa office.

Waiting periods:

The visa will be delivered the same day except for applicants of certain countries for whom an Express Mail of $14,40 is required as the time of the application.

All applicants should be aware that the processing times are average, and that the processing time of a specific case can vary due to individual circumstances and other special requirements. We strongly recommend that applicants do not make nonrefundable travel arrangements until they receive the approval for their visa; visa applicants should never assume their application will be automatically approved.

IMPORTANT! Applicants may have to wait longer during peak travel periods and holiday seasons, and are therefore advised to take an appointment as early as possible, but no more than 90 days in advance, except for long stay visitor visa applicants.

Sending documents to the Consulate in Houston (Texas):

The visa section does not accept letters of invitation sent directly or faxed to the Consulate in support of visa applications. The originals of such letters should be brought by the applicant to the scheduled interview, together with one set of photocopies per applicant.

On the day of the appointment:

Applicants arriving late will not be accomodated and must reschedule their appointments.

No appointment will be given at the counter or by phone.

Only the applicant is admitted to the interview, unless he/she needs to be accompanied owing to age, ill health or difficulties in speaking French or English.

Please note that there is no waiting area in front of the Consulate for friends or relatives who are not admitted to the interview.

Minor applicants have to be accompanied by their mother or father or legal guardian at the personal interview.

IMPORTANT: IF YOU CANNOT GO TO YOUR APPOINTMENT BUT FAIL TO CANCEL IT WITHIN 48 HOURS, OR IF YOU MAKE MORE THAN ONE APPOINTMENT, YOUR ON-LINE APPLICATION WILL BE CANCELED WITHOUT NOTICE.