Visa Types

Visa Types and Categories to Apply for Reunion

Reunion is an overseas territory of France.

Reunion is not part of the EU (via France) or Schengen Area, but facilitated regulations are applied to these countries’ citizens. EU and Schengen countries’ nationals can travel to Reunion for an unlimited time period with their National Identity Card instead of the passport.

All the nationals who are holding valid Long-stay (“D” type”) visa or Residence Permit issued by France or other Schengen countries can enter Reunion without obtaining a new visa and stay there for up to 90 days within 6 months period.

Nationals of the following countries can also travel to Reunion without obtaining a new visa if they are holding a valid multiple-entry visa (Schengen included) with a validity of more than 6 months, issued by France:

  • Bahrain
  • Belarus
  • China
  • India
  • Kuwait
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Russia
  • South Africa
  • Ukraine

Short-stay (“C type”) Schengen visa issued by France or other Schengen countries is not valid for entering Reunion.

If you are a visa-required national, you have to obtain a separate visa to Reunion from France diplomatic missions (embassies/consulates). A special wording for clarifying the validity territory must be indicated on the visa. On the other hand, you cannot travel to France nor other Schengen countries with a visa valid for Reunion only either.

If you are required to obtain a visa to travel to France, you will be also required to obtain a visa beforehand for entering Reunion. Additionally, Mozambique and South African citizens can also enter Reunion without a visa and stay there for up to 90 days within 6 months period. China and Indian citizens can also travel to Reunion without a visa and stay there for up to 15 days if their trip is organized by an approved travel agency.

You can apply for the following types of Reunion visas at France embassies/consulates:

  • Reunion Short-term visa (valid for up to 90 days)
  • Reunion Long-term visa (valid for more than 90 days)

Reunion Short-term (C-type) Visa

You can apply for a Reunion Short-stay visa for realizing your temporary travel to Reunion. Reasons to apply for this type of visa can be tourism, visiting family or friends, business trips, short-term work, and many other non-permanent nuances. Reunion Short-term visa’s validity period can be a maximum of 90 days. Short-term visas can be both single-entry and multiple-entry.

 

Required Documents for Reunion Short-term Visa

 

1. Application Form 

  • Fully completed in English and signed and dated by the applicant himself (signed by both parents in case of minors, below the age of 18)

2. Passport

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Reunion.
  • Signed by bearer
  • Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
  • At least one or two free “visa pages.”
  • Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

3. Photo

  • NEW! Should not be older than 6 months.
  • A frontal view of the face-covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.
  • A uniform and white background.
  • Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame.
  • 3.5x4.5 size

4. ID Card Copy

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Reunion.

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Reunion.

6. Photocopies

  • Copy of the main page of your passport
  • Copies of previous visas

7. Travel Itinerary 

  • Flight reservations (return ticket)
  • Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

8. Letter from Local Employer/Sponsor (Proof of Occupation)

  • The letter must include:
    • Name, postal address, and telephone number of sponsor/company
    • Details regarding the applicant’s working position, starting date of the employment, and salary
    • The timeframe of work leave (expected date to resume duties) and purpose of travel
  • Valid trade license copy and company ownership documents (if a person is an owner of the company).
  • Letter from University (if student)
  • Copy of sponsor’s valid passport and residence visa (if any) to be attached to letter from sponsor (if an applicant is a dependent)

9. Proof of Financial Means

  • Personal bank statements of at least the last 3 months before application, personal property, assets, etc.

10. Medical Insurance

  • It should cover all the duration you intend to stay in Reunion and must have a minimum of 30,000 € coverage.

11. Supporting Documents that Show Your Reason for a Trip

     For tourism:

  • Confirmation of the accommodation (hotel confirmation, apartment rental contract, etc.)

     For business/congress/sports travel:

  • Original invitation letter by the company/organization
  • Confirmation of the accommodation (hotel confirmation, apartment rental contract, etc.)

      For private visit:

  • Original invitation letter by inviting person
  • The original document that confirms the ownership of estate (home) of your inviting person, if you are going to stay there
  • Copies of passport, ID card/residence permit of your inviting person

      For employment (short-term):

  • Original invitation letter by a company in Reunion
  • Confirmation of the accommodation (apartment rental contract, hotel confirmation, etc.)

12. For Minors:

  • Copy and English translation of either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced/death certificate of parent
  • Letter of consent from parent/s or legal guardian/s, if travelling unaccompanied.

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.

 

Processing Time for Reunion Short-term Visa

The average processing time for a Reunion Short-term Visa is 3-15 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.

 

Reunion Short-term Visa Fee

Reunion Short-term Visa fee is 60 EUR (it can slightly vary depending on your country and nationality) per applicant. Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.

 

Where to Apply for a Reunion Short-term Visa?

You will apply for a Reunion Short-term visa in France visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

Reunion Long-term (D-type) Visa

Reunion Long-term visa will be valid for up to 1 year with multiple entries. You can apply for this visa if your travel purpose is long-term employment, family reunion, research, study, etc.

 

Required Documents for Reunion Long-term Visa

 

1. Application Form 

  • Fully completed in English and signed and dated by the applicant himself (signed by both parents in case of minors, below the age of 18)

2. Passport

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Reunion.
  • Signed by bearer
  • Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
  • At least one or two free “visa pages.”
  • Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

3. Photo

  • NEW! Should not be older than 6 months.
  • A frontal view of the face-covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.
  • A uniform and white background.
  • Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame.
  • 3.5x4.5 size

4. ID Card Copy

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your travel to Reunion.

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your travel to Reunion.

6. Photocopies

  • Copy of the main page of your passport
  • Copies of previous visas

7. Travel Itinerary 

  • Flight reservation (return ticket)
  • Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

8. Letter from Local Employer/Sponsor (Proof of Occupation)

  • The letter must include:
    • Name, postal address, and telephone number of sponsor/company
    • Details regarding the applicant’s working position, starting date of the employment, and salary
    • The timeframe of work leave (expected date to resume duties) and purpose of travel
  • Valid trade license copy and company ownership documents (if a person is an owner of the company).
  • Letter from University (if student)
  • Copy of sponsor’s valid passport and residence visa (if any) to be attached to letter from sponsor (if an applicant is a dependent)

9. Proof of Financial Means

  • Personal bank statements of at least the last 3 months before application, personal property, assets, etc.

10. Medical Insurance

  • It should cover all the duration you intend to stay in Reunion and must have a minimum of 30,000 € coverage.

11. Supporting Documents that Show Your Reason for a Trip

      For private visit:

  • Original invitation letter by inviting person
  • Original document that confirms the ownership of the estate (home) of your inviting person if you are going to stay there.
  • Copies of passport, ID card/residence permit of your inviting person

      For studying (long-term):

  • Original invitation letter by the educational establishment in Reunion
  • Acceptance letter to education establishment in Reunion
  • Confirmation of the accommodation (apartment rental contract, dormitory contract, etc.)

      For employment (long-term):

  • Original invitation letter by a company in Reunion
  • Confirmation of the accommodation (hotel confirmation, apartment rental contract, etc.)

      For a family reunion:

  • Original invitation letter by your family member
  • Original document that confirms the ownership of estate (home) of your inviting person, if you are going to stay there
  • Copies of passport, ID card/residence permit of your family member in Reunion
  • Documents proving your ties with your family member in Reunion (such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)

12. For Minors:

  • Copy and English translation of either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced/death certificate of parent
  • Letter of consent from parent/s or legal guardian/s, if travelling unaccompanied.

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.

 

Processing Time for Reunion Long-term Visa

The average processing time for a Reunion Long-term Visa is 10-30 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.

 

Reunion Long-term Visa Fee

Reunion Long-term Visa fee is 99 EUR (it can vary depending on your country and nationality). Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.

 

Where to Apply for a Reunion Long-term Visa?

You will apply for a Reunion Long-term visa in France visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

FAQ

Can I travel to Reunion with a Schengen visa?

No, Schengen visas are not valid for travel to Reunion. You need to obtain a separate visa for Reunion from French embassies/consulates.

Can I travel to Reunion with a residence permit issued by France or other Schengen countries?

All the nationals who are holding valid Long-stay (“D” type”) visa or Residence Permit issued by France or other Schengen countries can enter Reunion without obtaining a new visa and stay there for up to 90 days within 6 months period.

Can I travel to Reunion with a long-term visa issued by France or other Schengen countries?

All the nationals who are holding valid Long-stay (“D” type”) visa or Residence Permit issued by France or other Schengen countries can enter Reunion without obtaining a new visa and stay there for up to 90 days within 6 months period.

Can I travel to Reunion with a multiple-entry Schengen visa?

Only some nationals of certain countries (Bahrain, Belarus, China, India, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, and Ukraine) can travel to Reunion without obtaining a new visa if they are holding valid multiple-entry Schengen visa with validity of more than 6 months, issued by France.

Where to apply for a Reunion visa?

You can apply for Reunion visa at France diplomatic missions/embassies/consulates.

Can I travel to France or other Schengen countries with a Reunion visa?

No, you cannot travel to France or other Schengen countries with a special Reunion visa. This visa is only valid for traveling to Reunion, you still have to obtain a Schengen visa for traveling to France or other Schengen countries, if you are not a visa-exempted national.

Is Reunion a part of the Schengen Area?

No, Reunion is not a part of the Schengen Area, but some facilitated regulations are applied to Schengen countries and their citizens. EU and Schengen countries’ nationals can travel to Reunion for unlimited time period with their National Identity Card instead of the passport.

I am a visa-exempted national for traveling to Reunion, how long can I stay in Reunion?

Visa-exempted nationals can stay in Reunion for up to 90 days within 6 months period without a visa.