ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

South African citizens require a visa to enter the Schengen territory, i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

At which Embassy/Consulate/ Visa Issuing Authority should you apply? Read More

– If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority of that country.

– If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority that is your main destination (i.e. your longest stay).

– If you intend to visit several countries but do not have a main destination, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority of the country of your first point of entry. 

VISA INFORMATION

  • Website: Capago France
  • Visa Application Centres:
    • Johannesburg:
      • Address: 5th Floor, Fredman Towers, 13 Fredman Drive, Sandown, Sandton
    • Cape Town:
      • Address: Towers South – 19th Floor, Hertzog Boulevard, Foreshore
    • Durban:
      • Address: 2 Ncondo Place, Ridgeside, Umhlanga Ridge
    • Contact Information:
      • Phone: +27 87 231 0313
      • Email: infofrance-za@capago.eu
    • Business Hours: Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 17:00

French Embassy Pretoria:

  • Address: 250 Melk Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk
  • Phone: +27 12 425 1600

Consulate Johannesburg:

  • Address: Rosebank Corner Building, 3rd Floor, 191 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parktown North
  • Phone: +27 11 778 5600
  • Business Hours:
    • Monday to Thursday: 08:30 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 16:30
    • Friday: 08:30 – 13:30

Consulate Cape Town:

  • Address: 78 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens
  • Phone: +27 21 490 0940
  • Email: consulat.le-cap-fslt@diplomatie.gouv.fr
  • Completed Application Form:
    • Fill out the “Common Schengen Application Form” in capital letters and sign it.
    • Available for free download from consular websites or at consular offices.
  • Passport:
    • Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your last day in the Schengen area.
    • Issued within the last 10 years.
    • Must have two blank pages for the visa.
    • Note: Temporary South African passports are generally not accepted by most Schengen states. Confirm their acceptability beforehand.
  • Photographs:
    • Provide two recent colour passport-sized photographs.
  • Residence Permit:
    • If not a South African citizen, provide a residence permit valid for at least 3 months after your last day in the Schengen area.
  • Visa for Final Destination:
    • Obtain any required visa for your final country of destination before applying for a Schengen visa, if applicable.
  • Visa Fee Payment:
    • Provide proof of payment for the visa fee.
  • Travel Itinerary:
    • Submit a round-trip reservation or itinerary showing entry and exit from the Schengen state, including dates and flight numbers.
    • Some consulates may require the original ticket upon visa collection (verify with the relevant consulate).
  • Proof of Funds:
    • Show evidence of sufficient financial means for your stay (e.g., a bank statement from the past three months).
    • The required amount varies by country—confirm with the consulate. Cash is not accepted as proof.
  • Travel Insurance:
    • Provide a one-page document confirming Schengen Travel Medical Insurance coverage with a minimum of Euro 30,000 for medical expenses and repatriation, valid in all Schengen countries.
  • Accommodation Proof:
    • Include a confirmed hotel reservation (hotel vouchers are not sufficient).
    • If staying with a relative or friend, provide an invitation letter from the host, a copy of their passport or ID, and possibly authentication by relevant authorities.
    • For prepaid tours, provide details and proof of payment to the tour operator.
  • An official invitation letter by event organizer, reflecting full details and purpose of trip.
  • Enrolment/Entry tickets/Event program and an official letter of institution sending the applicant
  • An official letter from school confirming attendance.
  • Letter from parents, confirming that they support the student financially (see above) and proof of same Certified copies of parents ID or passport
  • An official letter from college/university confirming attendance or copy of student card.
  • Letter from parents, confirming that they support the student financially (see above) and proof of same Certified copies of parents ID or passport

New South African passports for minors under the age of 18 are being issued containing the details of the parents as a standard feature.  Children travelling on these new passports do not require any additional documentation when travelling abroad if accompanied by both parents.

If however the children are still travelling on the old passports then ​the following additional documents will be required for any minor travelling with a parent:

  • Copy of unabridged Birth Certificate
  • Copies of parents ID documents
  • Consent letter from each parent not accompanying the minor. ​
  • Both parents are required to appear at the interview for children below the age of 18 years or alternatively supply an affidavit as to why the parent cannot be in attendance.

Submit an official business letter from a company in the Schengen area and a letter from your employer stating the purpose of the visit and the duration of your stay.

  • A letter of justification of the company and SA partner/branch explaining the purpose of the visit
  • A list of the participants

15 Working days

Visas will be issued for the period of intended stay only (ie. from date of arrival to date of departure)

Maximum 90 days per semester with multiple entries.

WEATHER

France experiences a temperate climate with four distinct climatic zones:

  • Western France: Oceanic climate with consistent, moderate rainfall and relatively stable temperatures. Includes regions like Brittany, Normandy, the Atlantic Loire, and the Loire Valley.
  • Central and Eastern France: Continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. Seen in Champagne, Burgundy, and Alsace.
  • South-Eastern France: Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and rainfall from October to April. Includes Provence, Côte d’Azur, and Corsica.
  • Mountainous Regions: Heavy rainfall and snow, lasting between three to six months annually at altitudes above 600-800 meters.
  • Ideal Visiting Times: April to mid-June and September to October.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Country: France
Capital City: Paris
International Airports: Paris Charles de Gaulle & Orly (Paris)
Nice Côte d’Azur (French Riviera and Monaco)
Lyon Saint Exupéry (Lyon & Alps Region)
Marseille Airport (Marseille & Provence region)
Bordeaux Airport (Bordeaux & Aquitaine region)
Area: 643 801 km²
Population: 66,548,530 (2024 est.)
Time Zone: GMT+1
Religion: Secular Country
Language: French is the official Language, more and more often complemented with English in the principal tourist centres and in the hotels.
Currency: Euro (€)
Exchange Rate: Please consult your local bank as exchange rates fluctuate.
Credit Card Payment Availability: MasterCard, American Express, and Diner’s Club are widely accepted in shops and restaurants
In rural areas, carrying some cash is recommended
ATM Accessibility: Easily accessible.
Dialling Code: +33

TRAVEL TIPS

Electricity: 220 V, with two pin plugs
Water: Tap water is safe to drink.
Business Hours: Shops: 09:00 – 18:30 or 19:00, Monday to Saturday, with late-night shopping in department stores
Museums and Monuments: 09:00 / 10:00 – 17:00 / 18:00, except Tuesdays (and occasionally on Mondays or weekends)
Banking Hours: Mon – Fri 09:00 – 16:30.
Photography Restrictions: None
Tipping: Common to round up drink bills with small change
Leave a couple of euros after a meal
Museum and tour guides: about 10%
Cab drivers: around 5-10%
Vaccination Requirements: No vaccinations required; consult your medical practitioner or travel clinic
Dress Code Restrictions: Casual dress acceptable in inexpensive restaurants.
Jacket and tie recommended in smart venues
Peculiar Customs to Observe: Do not bring wine to a dinner party; your host has selected the wine for the evening
Ask for ice as it is not commonly provided; the French prefer their drinks at room temperature or lightly chilled
April Fools’ Day is marked by “poisson d’avril” (April Fish), where children prank adults by attaching paper fish to their backs and shouting “poisson d’avril!”

FESTIVALS

  • Le Corso Fleuri: Traditional flower parade – February
  • Nice Carnival: Mardi Gras, parades, and fireworks – February / March
  • Lemon Festival: February / March
  • International Garden Festival: April – October
  • Cannes Film Festival: May
  • Great Roman Games: May
  • Night of Museums: Museums stay open late and for free – 18 May
  • Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix: May
  • Joan of Arc Festival: May
  • D-Day Festival: May / June
  • Nuits Sonores: May / June
  • Versailles Festival: May – July
  • Fête de la Musique: 21 June
  • Bastille Day: 14 July
  • Festival d’Avignon: July
  • Tour de France: July
  • Paris Plages: July to August
  • Paris Quartier d’été: July / August
  • Rock en Seine: August
  • Les Chorégies d’Orange: August

MAP

“Paris is always a good idea.”

– Audrey Hepburn