France Tightens Schengen Visa Rules for Russians Starting July 15
Effective July 15, France will no longer permit third-party submissions for Russian Schengen visa applications, requiring personal filing or close family representation. This move, announced June 30 by VFS Global, tightens France’s visa policy, making it the fourth EU country to do so. It signals a shift from a previously lenient approach, reflecting France’s heightened perception of Russia as a security threat.
Starting July 15, Russians applying for a French Schengen visa can no longer have their paperwork submitted by a third party. Applications at France’s visa center in Russia must be filed personally by the applicant, a parent or guardian for a child under 18, or a spouse, child, or parent with original proof of family relationship. VFS Global, operator of France’s visa centers in Russia, announced this change on June 30. Applicants over 12 must still appear in person for biometric data.
This makes France the fourth EU country to tighten its Russian visa regime recently. Eleven Schengen nations wrote to the European Commission on June 4, advocating for a full ban on Russian tourist entries. EU Commission spokesperson Marcus Lammert indicated Brussels is considering formal tightening as early as 2027.
This restriction marks a shift from France’s previously permissive approach. In 2026, France issued 23% more Schengen visas to Russian nationals than the prior year, the steepest rise in the EU. France, Spain, and Italy together accounted for nearly three-quarters of over 620,000 Schengen visas issued to Russian citizens in 2025, a 10% increase from 2024. Paris led in both volume and growth, even after the European Commission ended multiple-entry Schengen visas for Russians in November 2025 due to security risks.
The third-party ban does not cap total visa issuance but removes workarounds, as many applicants used third-party services. This policy change reflects France’s increasing view of Russia as a direct security threat. The French government’s 2025 strategic review identifies Russia as France’s main security threat, citing sabotage, espionage, cyberattacks, information operations, and nuclear intimidation.