Schengen visa applications will be handled here when France opens embassy

Jean-Jacques Forté (left) and France’s Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné (third from left) at the reading of the Joint Communique. (Office of the President photo)

With France’s planned establishment of an embassy here next year, Guyanese will no longer have to travel to Suriname to have their Schengen visas processed as Paris says it will handle it.

“I know how complicated it is now [but] it won’t be necessary any more to go to Suriname,” Jean-Jacques Forté – Chargé d’Affaires for France here told  Stabroek News yesterday in response to questions on the issue.

He explained that “the process for the visas is independent” from the opening of the embassy here but the embassy will also begin processing visa applications in 2025.