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How to return to France after leaving the Schengen area?
Verified 22 octobre 2019 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Coronavirus Covid-19: closure of the European external borders
Following the Coronavirus/Covid-19 pandemic, the external borders of the European area remain closed.
It is essential to find out before traveling.
Visit diplomacy.gouv.fr for more information country information and frequently asked questions ..
If you are a foreigner (unless you are European), that you reside in France and wish to travel in a country outside the Schengen Area , you must ensure that you have the right documents to return to France.
Warning : to return to the Schengen area, whether or not your nationality is subject to a visa, you will have to show proof that you are fulfilling the input conditions (example: sufficient resources)..
You have a residence permit
You can return to France with your passport (valid) and your residence permit.
You have a receipt
You have a receipt of 1re application for a residence permit, to cross borders, you will have to apply for a consular visa to return to the french consulate of the country in which you are staying.
In exceptional cases (humanitarian cases, force majeure, etc.), a prefectural return visa may be granted by your prefecture. You must ask for it before you leave and pay €6 by tax stamps..
The issuing of this visa is left to the discretion of the prefect.
The prefectural visa does not allow you to return only by French border..
Warning : some sub-prefectures cannot do the paperwork. Find out more on the website of your prefecture.
Asylum seeker
You are concerned if you have a provisional residence permit (SPA) or an asylum certificate.
To cross borders, you will need to apply for a consular visa to return to the French consulate of the country in which you are staying.
In exceptional cases (humanitarian cases, force majeure, etc.), a prefectural return visa may be granted by your prefecture. You must ask for it before you leave and pay €6 by tax stamps..
The issuing of this visa is left to the discretion of the prefect.
The prefectural visa does not allow you to return only by French border..
Warning : some sub-prefectures cannot do the paperwork. Find out more on the website of your prefecture.