French Consulate General in Istanbul

The French consulate general in Istanbul is listed as open Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00 with a midday break, closing earlier on Fridays.

France requires Turkish citizens to hold a visa issued in advance. Check with the French consulate general in Istanbul whether visas are handled at its counter or by an appointed visa centre.

In 2025, France’s consulate general in Istanbul received 96,071 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 79,086. 15,205 applications were refused, a refusal rate of 16.1%. In 2024 it had been 13.6%: the rate rose by 2.5 points. Applications fell by 9% compared with 2024 (105,024).

Over 2023–2025 the rate ranged from 11.8% (2023) to 16.1% (2025).

France issues Schengen visas at 2 locations in Turkey; this office handled 67% of their 143,379 applications in 2025. Refusal rates elsewhere: Ankara 14.1%, which makes Istanbul the highest of the group. Each office serves the applicants who live in its own consular district, so the rates also reflect who applies where, not only how strictly files are assessed.

Across all Schengen consulates in Turkey, 14.6% of applications were refused in 2025; France’s rate worldwide was 14.2%. France received the 3rd largest number of applications of the 27 Schengen states represented here.

Multiple-entry visas made up 44.6% of those issued. The statistics count applications, not people, and include every nationality that applies here, not only citizens of Turkey.

The French embassy is in Ankara, about 351 km away. Besides the French consulate general in Istanbul, France has 6 other missions in Turkey. Honorary consulates: Mersin, Izmir, İskenderun, Gaziantep and Antalya. Turkey in turn has 10 missions in France, its embassy being in Paris.

About the French consulate general in Istanbul

It appears in official lists as Consulate General of France in Istanbul. The head of mission on record is Nadia Fanton. Career consulates of this kind usually renew passports and take visa applications for their region.

Address and contact

Address: İstiklal Caddesi 4, 34435 İstanbul. The record for the French consulate general in Istanbul includes a phone number, an e-mail address, a fax number and an official website.

French citizens travelling to Turkey

Turkey admits French citizens without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.

When the French consulate general in Istanbul is closed

Expect the French consulate general in Istanbul to be shut on New Year's Day (Yılbaşı) on Friday 1 January 2027 and Eid al-Fitr First Day (Ramazan Bayramı 1. Gün) on Wednesday 10 March 2027 (date provisional), and often on Armistice Day (Armistice 1918) on Wednesday 11 November 2026, a holiday in France.

Before visiting the French consulate general in Istanbul

Current procedures for the French consulate general in Istanbul, including any appointment system, are on its official website, linked on this page.

Near the French consulate general in Istanbul

Within 1 km of the French consulate general in Istanbul there are 19 other foreign missions.