France Visit Visa from Pakistan 2026: AEG Appointments, Fees & Documents
France is one of the most-asked-about Schengen destinations at our office, yet it works a little differently from the countries we usually cover. There is no VFS Global centre here — the French Embassy in Islamabad runs the visa process itself, with a local company called AEG handling only the appointment booking. If you are planning a visit to France (or using France as your Schengen entry point) in 2026, here is exactly how the process, fees and documents work.
Who handles what: Embassy vs. AEG
Applicants sometimes assume AEG issues the visa — it does not. AEG’s role is limited to scheduling your appointment; the French Embassy in Islamabad makes every visa decision, collects your documents, and conducts the mandatory interview and biometrics. AEG operates offices in several cities including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan and Sialkot, open Monday to Thursday and on Saturday (9:00–13:00 and 14:00–17:00). Appointments are allocated strictly by email, first-come first-served — AEG does not take bookings over the phone, and in most cases you (or a blood relative on your behalf) must apply for the slot.
Visa fees: what you actually pay
France follows the standard Schengen short-stay visa fee, charged in Pakistani Rupees at the embassy’s current exchange rate on the day of payment.
On top of the Schengen fee, AEG charges a separate service fee for handling your appointment and file, which varies slightly by region — roughly €8 to €11.5 equivalent in PKR depending on whether you apply through the Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or Balochistan office. Bring exact cash in fresh, undamaged PKR notes — both fees are collected before your interview and are non-refundable if your visa is refused.
Documents and the France-Visas checklist
Because France uses the centralised France-Visas system, your exact document list depends on your travel purpose (tourism, business, family visit, or study) and is generated through the official online visa wizard rather than a single fixed checklist. Core requirements apply to almost every applicant:
- Completed France-Visas online application form
- Original NIC and current + all previous passports
- Passport valid 3+ months beyond visa expiry
- Travel insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage
- AEG service charge payment receipt
- Supporting documents in French or English
- Compliant passport-style photograph
- Purpose-specific proof (invitation, bookings, ties to Pakistan)
Travel insurance is checked closely: it must be from a company the embassy accepts and must cover the full length of your intended stay across the Schengen area, not just France.
Interview, biometrics and processing time
Every applicant attends the embassy in person for a mandatory interview and biometric data collection (fingerprints and photo), held at the Diplomatic Shuttle Service venue in Islamabad — arrive at least 30 minutes early. Children under 12 are exempt from giving fingerprints, though they still attend with a parent or guardian. Submission hours at the embassy are Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; the office is closed Friday to Sunday.
Once your interview is complete, the embassy states a minimum of 15 to 20 days to issue a decision — so factor in the AEG appointment wait on top of that when planning travel dates. The embassy itself recommends booking your appointment about a month ahead, and no later than two weeks before you intend to travel.
Quick answers
Do I book my France visa appointment through VFS Global? No — Pakistan uses AEG for appointment booking; VFS is not involved in the French visa process here.
Is the visa fee refunded if I’m refused? No, both the Schengen visa fee and the AEG service charge are non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
How early should I apply? Book your AEG appointment about a month in advance and no later than two weeks before your planned travel date, given the 15–20 day processing window after your interview.
Applying for a visit visa?
Reloaded Visa prepares your complete file and guides you at every step. Free consultation — no obligation.
Visa fees, processing times and appointment procedures can change without notice. Always confirm the latest requirements on the official France-Visas Pakistan page before applying.