Sri Lanka
France
France visa for Sri Lankan citizens
Entry requirement
France requires Sri Lankan citizens to hold a visa issued in advance.
- Where to apply
- 1 mission
- Visa guide
- France visa guide
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at lk.ambafrance.org
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.
France’s tourist visa costs €90 at the standard rate published by its authorities; the official site for it is 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 Sri Lanka
- Embassy of France in Colombo
Rosmead Place, Colombo 7
France has 1 mission in Sri Lanka, with its embassy in Colombo.
France: visa decisions in Sri Lanka
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 9,804 | 5,860 | 3,633 | 38.3% | 18.8% |
| 2024 | 9,555 | 6,049 | 3,358 | 35.7% | 17.2% |
| 2025 | 9,219 | 6,365 | 2,751 | 30.2% | 20.7% |
In 2025, France’s embassy and consulates in Sri Lanka (Colombo) received 9,219 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 6,365. The refusal rate was 30.2%. The refusal rate fell by 5.5 points from 35.7% in 2024, a clear improvement for applicants. Applications fell by 4% compared with 2024 (9,555).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 29.1% of the applications lodged in Sri Lanka that year, from 13.6% at the consulates of Germany to 38.5% at those of Italy. France’s consulates worldwide refused 14.2%. France was the most applied-for Schengen state in Sri Lanka.
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 Sri Lanka, 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 Sri Lanka
FranceSri Lanka Visa on arrival Sri Lanka 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.
Before travelling from Sri Lanka to France, it helps to know the official travel advice: 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 3 November 2026).
Good to know
How long Sri Lankan citizens can stay in France
How long Sri Lankan citizens may stay in France is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How Sri Lankan citizens apply
In Sri Lanka, applications go to the French embassy in Colombo, 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 Sri Lankan citizens travel in all Schengen states; apply to France when it is the main destination of the trip.
France’s neighbours for Sri Lankan citizens
Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Andorra, Monaco and Spain require Sri Lankan citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
French citizens travelling to Sri Lanka
French citizens receive their visa for Sri Lanka at the border; it covers up to 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do Sri Lankan citizens need a visa for France?
France requires Sri Lankan citizens to hold a visa issued in advance.
Where is the French embassy in Sri Lanka?
The French embassy in Sri Lanka is in Colombo.
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 Sri Lanka?
French citizens receive their visa for Sri Lanka at the border; it covers up to 30 days.
Can Sri Lankan citizens enter France visa-free?
No; Sri Lankan citizens need a visa for France obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.