Short-stay visa for France from Cameroon
France · About 9 weeks with us, as an indication: it depends on your file and on the authorities.
The short-stay visa, also called a Schengen visa, lets you stay in France for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It covers family visits, tourism and business trips from Cameroon.
You first fill in the application online on France-Visas. You then lodge the file at a TLScontact centre in Douala, Yaoundé or Garoua, depending on your region. TLScontact collects the file and your fingerprints. The French consular services make the decision.
We help you choose the right purpose of travel, gather consistent documents and check the file with you before the appointment.
Who is it for?
- You are visiting family or friends in France.
- You are travelling for tourism.
- You are attending a business meeting, a trade fair or a conference.
- You live in Cameroon and your stay is 90 days or less.
The main conditions
- A passport issued within the last ten years, valid at least three months after your planned return, with at least two blank pages.
- A clear, documented purpose: invitation, booking, mission programme.
- Sufficient means for the stay, at the official amount in force.
- Travel insurance covering emergency care, hospitalisation and repatriation.
- For a private visit, an attestation d'accueil signed by your host and approved by their town hall.
- Ties to Cameroon that show you will return: job, studies, family, property.
- The fees set by the authorities (see the official page).
How long does it take?
You can apply no earlier than six months and no later than fifteen days before you travel; a decision normally comes within fifteen days, sometimes up to 45: check france-visas.gouv.fr.
The steps
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Consultation and eligibility
Documents to prepare
- Valid passport
- Invitation letter (family visit)
- Proof of employment and leave
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Collecting the documents
Documents to prepare
- Valid passport
- Passport photos
- Bank statements
- Proof of employment and leave
- Travel insurance (Schengen cover)
- Flight reservation (return)
- Proof of accommodation
- Birth or marriage certificates (family)
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Form and appointment
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Submission at the visa centre
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Processing
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Decision and passport
Documents to prepare
- Passport with the visa
Fees are discussed at the appointment, depending on your situation.
What we check with you
- We check that your bank statements, employment letter and leave approval tell the same story.
- The refusal grounds in the Visa Code include an unjustified purpose, insufficient means and doubts about your return: every document should answer them.
- Do not buy a non-refundable ticket before the decision: a booking is enough for the file.
- Keep old passports with Schengen visas: they show you came back on time.
Book an appointment for this visa All visas for France
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for a France visa in Cameroon?
At a TLScontact centre, after the online application on France-Visas. The centres are in Yaoundé, Douala and Garoua. Your centre depends on your region of residence; the France-Visas portal points you to the right one.
Who decides: TLScontact or the consulate?
The French consular services: the consulate general in Douala or the consular section of the embassy in Yaoundé. TLScontact only collects the file and fingerprints. It has no say in the decision.
When should I apply?
No earlier than six months and no later than fifteen days before you travel. Depending on the time of year, getting an appointment can take longer, so plan ahead.
Do I need an attestation d'accueil to visit family?
Yes, if you stay with a private host. Your host requests it at their town hall, which approves it. They then send you the original before your appointment.
How much does the short-stay visa cost?
The fees are set by the authorities and can change. Check the official France-Visas page before your appointment. Our own fees are given at the appointment in our office.
What happens at the border when I arrive in France?
Since April 2026, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) records your photo and fingerprints at the border instead of stamping your passport. The officer may also ask for your supporting documents.
Can ALORIA guarantee my visa?
No. Nobody can: the decision belongs to the French authorities. Our role is to guide you, build and check the file with you, and prepare you for the appointment.