You may need a visa to go to France; it depends on your nationality. Many countries are within the visa exemption agreement, meaning their citizens can travel visa-free. Although, these visa-free citizens will need a pre-approved ETIAS, the Electronic Travel Authorization. Let’s see the France entry requirements for U.S. and other citizens and which countries require a Visa.
France Entry Requirement 2024
Entry requirements to France differ by nationality. Many nationalities are granted a visa exemption: USA, Canada, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, and the United Kingdom.
Electronic Travel Authorization. Similar to USA’s ESTA and Korea’s K-ETA, European Union will introduce a new requirement in 2024. Mid-2024, you will need a pre-approved travel authorization to travel to France. ETIAS costs 7€ per application, free for people under 18 and over 70. ETIAS must be submitted 72 hours before traveling and will stay valid for 3 years. You can enter multiple times to France or any country members during the 3-year validity period. ETIAS will be launched in 2025 without being mandatory in the beginning. More information about ETIAS.
E.U. & Schengen area citizens. You should already know that E.U. and Schengen Area citizens can travel visa-free. There is no border control inside the Schengen area. You can travel with your national identity card. No passport is required, and they don’t need a visa to France.
France Entry Requirements for U.S. citizens
Here are the entry requirements to France for U.S. citizens. Keep in mind that these requirements can change anytime. While we try to maintain these entry requirements up to date, you should also visit the U.S. Embassy in France.
Passport. You need a passport book to go to France. Passport card is usually only accepted in North America. France does not recognize the emergency passport. The passport book must still be valid for at least 3 months after the return date.
Visa Exemption. U.S. citizens do not need visas to stay in France for up to 90 days. The visa exemption covers tourism and business purposes.
ETIAS. ETIAS is the European Electronic Travel Authorization. U.S. must apply for ETIAS at least 72h before traveling to France when ETIAS is launched.
Which countries need visa for France?
Citizens from countries not in the visa-free program must apply for a visa to visit France.
Countries that need a visa for France include China, India, Russia, Pakistan, and South Africa.
Visa to go to France for up to 90 days
For a short stay, up to 90 days, the Schengen visa “Uniform Schengen Visa” is the best fit. The visa is single entry, meaning you will need a new visa to enter as soon as you exit the Schengen area. For example, you stay 7 days in Paris, then go to London for 3 days and back to visit Rouen. You will need 2 visas because you exited the Schengen area by going to London.
The Uniform Schengen Visa costs 80€, 40€ for children from 6 to 12 years old, and free for children under 6.
There is no shorter, cheaper visa.
To apply for a visa, you can visit the France official website called “France-Visas“.
Yes, U.S. citizens will need to apply for electronic travel authorization when ETIAS is officially launched.
ETIAS is valid for 3 years. You don’t need another ETIAS during these 3 years. The same old ETIAS, even already used, can be used again for 3 years.
U.S. citizens need a passport book to travel to France. U.S. citizens can travel visa-free for up to 90 days in France. In 2024, as for all visa-free countries, U.S. citizens must also apply for ETIAS before traveling.
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