Wondering whether you need a visa for your upcoming trip to Paris or France? Luckily, France has very relaxed entry requirements for foreign travelers staying less than 90 days. If you plan on spending more time in France, you’ll need to check out the French Embassy website or the consulate in your country or city to get a visa for a long-term stay.
It’s very important that you have all the documents you need to enter the country before you travel.
With security tightened in France due to recent terrorist attacks, being sent home at the French border for not having your papers perfectly in order is more of a possibility than it might have been in the past.
Citizens from the United States and Canada
Canadian and American residents who are planning to travel to France for short visits do not need visas to enter the country. A valid passport is sufficient. There are, however, exceptions to that rule for the following categories of visitors:
Journalists traveling to France on assignment (a special work visa is required)
Crew members or workers traveling for short-term professional assignments (members of film crews, etc.)
Individuals holding diplomatic or official passports
If you belong to one of the above categories, you’ll need to submit a short-stay visa application to the embassy or consulate closest to you. U.S. citizens can consult the French Embassy in the United States for more details.
Canadian citizens can locate their nearest French consulate here.
Visa Requirements for Visiting Other European Countries
Because France is one of 26 European countries belonging to the Schengen territory, U.S. and Canadian passport holders may enter France through any of the following countries without a visa or passport.
Please note that the United Kingdom is not on the list; you will need to pass through immigration inspections at the UK border, by showing officials your valid passport and responding to any queries they may have about the nature and/or duration of your stay.
Austria
Germany
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
Estonia
Greece
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The Netherlands
Czech Republic
Malta
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Poland
Slovakia
Slovenia
Latvia
Iceland
You should also be aware that U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need visas to travel through French airports to non-Schengen territory countries. However, it would be smart to verify the visa requirements for your final destination, despite any layover you may have in France.
European Union Passport Holders
Travelers with European Union passports are not required to have a visa to enter France, and may stay, live, and work in France without limitation. You may, however, wish to register with the local police in France and with your country’s Embassy as a safety precaution. This is also recommended for all foreign nationals residing in France, including EU member-state citizens.
Other Nationalities
If you are not a Canadian or American citizen, nor a member of the European Union, the visa rules are particular for each country.
You can find visa information corresponding to your situation and country of origin on French consular website.
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