France Visa for Thai Visitors: Family and Partner Visits (2026 Guide)

Would you like to invite a family member, your partner or a friend from Thailand to France? Thai citizens need a short-stay Schengen visa (type C), which they apply for in person at TLScontact in Bangkok. As the host, you play a key role: if your guest stays at your home, you must request an “attestation d’accueil” from your town hall. This guide explains what you and your guest need in 2026.

1. Which visa, and who can apply?

• For visiting family, a partner or friends, or for tourism, for up to 90 days
• Apply to France when France is the main destination (longest stay), or the first country of entry if stays are equal
• Visiting an unmarried partner is possible, with proof of the relationship
• This visa does not allow work and cannot be extended in France. To live together long term, a long-stay visa is needed

2. The attestation d’accueil (for the host)

The attestation d’accueil is a certificate of accommodation that you, the host in France, request from the town hall (mairie) where you live, when your guest stays at your home.

• You must be French, or a foreign national legally residing in France
• Apply in person at your mairie with your ID, proof of address (title deed or lease) and proof of income; each town hall may ask for slightly different documents
• A €30 tax stamp (timbre fiscal) is required, and it is not refunded if the request is refused
• Processing takes from a few days to several weeks, depending on the town
• Your guest needs the original for the visa appointment; a copy or scan is not accepted, so send it by registered or express mail
• If your guest stays in a hotel, no attestation d’accueil is needed; a hotel booking is used instead

3. Documents

Your guest’s documents (in Thailand)

• Passport valid at least 3 months after leaving the Schengen area, issued within the last 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages, plus copies
• The printed and signed France-Visas form and a recent colour photo
• Return flight reservation
• Travel medical insurance of at least €30,000, valid in all Schengen countries for the whole stay
• Proof of funds: recent bank statements and payslips
• Proof of ties to Thailand: employment letter and approved leave, business registration, school letter or property documents

Your documents (the host in France)

• The original attestation d’accueil (if your guest stays with you)
• An invitation letter with the travel dates, your relationship and who pays for the trip
• A copy of your ID card or residence permit
• Proof of the relationship: birth certificates or house registration for family; photos together, message history and previous visits for a partner
• If you cover the costs: proof of your income

Thai-language documents must be translated into English. No embassy legalisation is needed for a visit visa. The consulate may still ask for additional documents.

4. Step by step

1. The host requests the attestation d’accueil at the mairie and sends the original to Thailand
2. Your guest completes the France-Visas form online, then prints and signs it
3. Book an appointment at TLScontact Bangkok
4. Prepare the originals and copies in the order of the checklist
5. Your guest applies in person, pays the fees and gives photo and fingerprints
6. Decision: usually around 15 days, up to 45 days in some cases
7. Passport collection at TLScontact once notified
8. Carry copies of key documents when travelling: border police may ask for proof of accommodation and funds

Do it yourself, or with Spoyzy?

	On your own	With Spoyzy
Attestation d’accueil	You must find out what your mairie asks for	We explain it to you, in English or French
Invitation and cover letters	Unsure what to write	We help you draft clear letters that match the documents
Funds and return guarantees	Unsure whether it is enough	We check and advise before submission
Form and appointment	Easy to make mistakes	We check everything before your guest applies

5. Common reasons for refusal

• The attestation d’accueil arrives too late, or only a copy is available
• Insufficient funds, or a large unexplained deposit just before applying
• Weak ties to Thailand, for example no stable job or no approved leave
• A partner visit without proof of the relationship
• Dates do not match between the form, tickets, insurance and attestation d’accueil

6. How Spoyzy helps

We regularly help Thai visitors join their family and partners in Europe, in Thai, English, French and Dutch.

• Full document check before submission
• Clear explanations for both of you: your guest in Thai, you in English or French
• Help with the invitation and cover letters
• Translation of Thai documents into English
• Help with the France-Visas form and the TLScontact appointment

Read also: Schengen visa from Thailand: complete guide and Belgium visa for Thai visitors

Frequently asked questions

How long does a French visa take from Thailand?

Usually around 15 days after the appointment, up to 45 days in some cases. Start at least a month ahead, and allow time for the attestation d’accueil.

Can my unmarried partner get a visa to visit me in France?

Yes. It is the same short-stay Schengen visa as for family visits, with proof of the relationship such as photos together, message history and previous visits.

I rent my home. Can I still get an attestation d’accueil?

Yes. Your lease is used as proof of address, but the accommodation must meet the size requirements of your town hall.

Do we need an attestation d’accueil if my guest stays in a hotel?

No. A hotel booking replaces it, but your guest still needs to show sufficient funds.

What if the visa is refused?

Read the reasons in the refusal letter. You can appeal within the stated deadline, or reapply after fixing the issues. We can review the refusal and prepare a stronger new file.