Saudi Arabia
France
France visa for Saudi citizens
Entry requirement
Saudi citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to France.
- Where to apply
- 2 missions
- Visa guide
- France visa guide
Checked 31 October 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at sa.diplomatie.gouv.fr
Which France visa?
Uniform Schengen visa (type C) for tourism
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Fee
- €90
- Processing time
- Usually 15 days after lodging the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; allow extra time to obtain an appointment.
For the tourist visa, France’s official sources give a standard fee of €90, and applications are made on france-visas.gouv.fr. Processing time, as France states it: Usually 15 days after lodging the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; allow extra time to obtain an appointment. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
French missions in Saudi Arabia
-
- Consulate General of France in Jeddah
6868 Al Aman – Al Hamra district, 23324 Djeddah
All missions of France in Saudi Arabia
France has 2 missions in Saudi Arabia, with its embassy in Riyadh. Consulates: Jeddah.
France: visa decisions in Saudi Arabia
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 145,096 | 133,532 | 9,519 | 6.6% | 89.5% |
| 2024 | 191,388 | 179,965 | 10,061 | 5.3% | 93.0% |
| 2025 | 234,331 | 224,205 | 8,854 | 3.8% | 93.3% |
In 2025, France’s embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh and Jeddah) received 234,331 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 224,205. 3.8% of applications were refused. In 2024 the rate was much the same, 5.3%. Applications rose by 22% compared with 2024 (191,388).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 5.2% of the applications lodged in Saudi Arabia that year, from 1.6% at the consulates of Austria to 55.4% at those of Bulgaria. France’s consulates worldwide refused 14.2%. France was the most applied-for Schengen state in Saudi Arabia.
You apply to the Schengen state that is your main destination (the longest stay or the main purpose; the state of first entry only when there is none), so a lower rate elsewhere is no reason to apply there. The figures cover applications lodged in Saudi Arabia, by any nationality: mostly citizens, but also residents from other countries.
Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates 2023–2025 (© European Union, reused under CC BY 4.0). Short-stay (type C) visas. How these figures are made
French citizens travelling to Saudi Arabia
FranceSaudi Arabia Visa on arrival Saudi Arabia visa for citizens of France
Travel advice for France
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
Saudi citizens planning a trip to France can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the US State Department rates France at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 20 October 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to France (updated 22 October 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for France (updated 28 October 2026).
Good to know
How long Saudi citizens can stay in France
How long Saudi citizens may stay in France is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How Saudi citizens apply
In Saudi Arabia, applications go to the French embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah, or to a visa centre acting for France; fees, documents and processing times are published by France.
France and the Schengen area
A Schengen visa issued by France lets Saudi citizens travel in all Schengen states; apply to France when it is the main destination of the trip.
France’s neighbours for Saudi citizens
Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Andorra, Monaco and Spain require Saudi citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
French citizens travelling to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia issues French citizens a visa on arrival for stays of up to 90 days, so nothing has to be arranged in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Do Saudi citizens need a visa for France?
Saudi citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to France.
Where is the French embassy in Saudi Arabia?
The French embassy in Saudi Arabia is in Riyadh; there is also a consulate in Jeddah.
How much does the France tourist visa cost?
France’s official sources give a standard fee of €90 for the tourist visa. Processing time: Usually 15 days after lodging the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; allow extra time to obtain an appointment.
Do French citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia issues French citizens a visa on arrival for stays of up to 90 days, so nothing has to be arranged in advance.
Can Saudi citizens enter France visa-free?
No; Saudi citizens need a visa for France obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 31 October 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.