2026:Scholar Resources

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What is the current status?

As of 20 March 2026 (for scholars who have confirmed scholarships by February 16):

Travel offers for all confirmed scholarship recipients are being processed by our travel partner in batches. Please confirm the proposed travel itinerary as soon as possible, as tickets will not be issued until they receive confirmation from you.
Official invitation letters (in English and French) and travel insurance letters have been sent to scholars via email. Hotel confirmation letters are being sent separately and should be with you soon. Should you require a visa from your country, you will need these documents for your application.
Please check all documents upon receipt to confirm that your personal details are correct. Your legal name must match on all documents for visa purposes.

All foreign nationals will need a visa to enter the Schengen area unless they are exempt. As a next step, Wikimania scholars should:

Confirm whether you need a short-stay Tourist visa using the visa wizard on the France-Visas website.
If a visa is required, this visa wizard will tell you exactly what supporting documents you will need to prepare for your particular situation.
Find out where you can apply for a visa in person. (Not every embassy or consulate processes visas, and in some cases you may need to travel to another country for your visa appointment.)
Set up your online visa application using the same personal details that appear in your invitation letter and official travel documents.
Schedule a visa appointment well in advance of your planned travel to Wikimania, while giving yourself enough time to prepare any additional supporting documents (including originals and copies, plus translations if required). Visa appointments are highly in demand in many parts of the world, so it is important not to leave this until the last minute.
Submit your application. According to France-Visas, visa applications are usually decided in 15 days, but could take up to 45 days in special cases.
Contact the Wikimania Scholarships team if you need assistance with this process.

An overview of the visa application process is also available on the French government’s website.

Anyone arriving in France with citizenship from inside the Schengen Zone will need to have a valid ID.

If you are arriving with a passport from outside the Schengen Zone, you should have also have the following items on hand:

A valid passport. Not older than 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages, and at least 3 months remaining after your planned departure from the Schengen Zone (6 months recommended).
Evidence of the purpose of entry. All scholars should carry their invitation letters from the Wikimedia Foundation and Wikimedia France.
Proof of financial means. For Wikimania scholars, your invitation letter will include information about your sponsorship.
Proof of your return flight. Print your travel itinerary to show when you will be departing.