KUWAIT: The French Ambassador to Kuwait, Claire Le Flécher, stated that France remains one of the top destinations chosen by Kuwaiti travelers. “In 2023, the consular section received almost 42,000 visa applications. For the first 3 months of 2024, almost 8,000 applications have been received,” she added. During the press conference on updating Schengen visa procedures, the French ambassador emphasized the enduring friendship between the two countries, citing the significant number of Kuwaitis opting for France as their holiday destination as a testament to the vibrancy of bilateral economic and cultural ties.

The ambassador indicated that France will be hosting the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and during this upcoming tourist season, visa applications for France will see a sharp increase on a global scale. He advised people to apply earlier as waiting times will increase and to avoid any difficulty in the visa application process. She said, “A visa application can be submitted up to 6 months before the scheduled trip. The applicant must apply first on the France Visas website and then make an appointment on the website of our service provider, Capago.”

French Ambassador Claire Le Flécher speaks during the conference.

Aron Yemane, Operation Manager at Capago, explains the new visa sticker.

“The applicant must take into account that around 6 weeks are needed to issue the visa, which is additional to the waiting time before the appointment, which can reach 3 weeks, depending on the period. The applicant should start the process at least nine weeks before the scheduled departure. The sooner, the better,” she continued. Regarding visa fees, Aron Yemane, Operation Manager at Capago, said, “Standard visa fees include the Consulate fees, which cost 80 euros for a short-stay visa, and the Capago office service fees, which cost 24 euros, for a total of 104 euros.” He revealed that the visa sticker will no longer have a signature but will have a stamp and a QR code.