Do I need a Visa to Visit France? (Answered)
Tourists from all over the world flock to France because of its stunning architecture, delicious food, and captivating culture. Undoubtedly, France is a global ranking Country for tourist destination and one of the most of the visited countries.
Also the citizens are welcoming, security of lives and properties is top notch for both Citizens and visitors. One of the requirements for visiting France is a visa because it entails vital information that guarantee your integrity score.
However, not all foreigners need visa to visit France for some period of their stay in the Country. To clear your doubts on who needs visa to visit France, types of Visa and other details. Relax while you read through this article to get all needed facts and figure relating to the subject of discussion.
What is France visa?
France visa is an entry permit that allows a person to enter and stay in France for a specific period of time. It is required for citizens of certain countries prior to their arrival to the Country, But Citizens of some countries can stay up to 90 days within 6 months without Visa. The visa can be obtained from a French embassy or consulate in your country.
Apparently, countries that need visa to visit France may not need transit visa when they transit through France except such citizen step out of international zone.
Types of France Visa
The most common visas are:
- Tourist visa,
- student visa,
- Transit Visa
- work visa.
- Business Visa
Therefore your purpose of visit determines the type of Visa you will need to apply for. But generally France Visa can be a short stay or long stay visa.
Most importantly, there are basic factors that determine if a foreigner needs visa to visit France or not. The factors like the ones listed below:
- The intending Visitor’s Nationality
- French territory to Visit
- Duration of Stay.
Who need Visa to Visit France?
No doubt France is a friendly and lovely Country but very strict with their Visa policies and agreement. To this end all countries that do not make list of Visa exemption need to apply for France visa. It is expected that Citizens from these countries apply for France visa from France embassy or consulates before arrival.
Find the list of Countries that need visa either for long or short stay to France: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso Burma/Myanmar, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Rep. Of Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Pakistan, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Marianas, Oman, Palau, Papua New, Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, , Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Who doesn’t need Visa to Visit France?
France is one of the Schengen Area countries. This implies that Citizens from these areas can visit France for up 90 days without Visa. They can engage in series of business activities within this period but can’t work except with a work permit.
Visa waiver Countries
Luckily some countries enjoy visa waiver to visit France despite that they are are not within the Schengen zone.
- Albania
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- El Salvador
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Israel
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Nicaragua
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Timor Leste
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United States of America
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
Fortunately not only will they be able to visit France but other Schengen zones with recent adoption of ETIAS. The European Union recently adopted Electronic Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) so come May 2023, it will take effect. ETIAS application cost is 7 Euros, it takes less than one hour to get it with a validity period of three days to 10 years so stay glue to more updates from EU.
Basically, European Economic Area are countries like Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. So the privilege of their vibrant economy gives them more advantages.
Who Doesn’t Needs a Long-stay Visa to visit France?
Additionally, Nationals from listed Countries like Germany, Belgium. Romania etc and holders of vital documents below don’t need Visa for a stay of up to 1 year.
- Holders of Short Stay Visa from French related Countries
- Nationals from European Economic Area (EEA)
- Students with educational history in France without interruption from the age of 16 and still studying.
- holders of a residence permit of a Schengen country
- Holders of a valid long-stay visa of a Schengen country
- Special card holders as diplomatic or consular staff
- British Nationals Overseas with Valid passport holder.
French Overseas Visa Exempt
Interestingly, there are France territories that fall within the European Continent while Some falls outside it. They are categorized as French Overseas Départements and Regions (DROM) and French overseas collectivities and territories (CTOM).
DROM are territories out the European Continent and they are listed below:
- Reunion Island
- French Guiana
- Guadeloupe
- Martinique (the three départements in the Americas)
- Mayotte
- Saint-Barthélemy
- Saint Martin
- Saint-Pierre and Miquelon
Those exempted from short visa stay in these territories are ;
- Holders of a long-stay visa for a country in the Schengen zone, holders from ( Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,North Macedonia,Moldova,Montenegro and Serbia]
- Nationals from the listed countries below who are holders of a Schengen-visa valid between 6 months and 5 years:
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- China
- Kuwait
- India
- Oman
- Qatar
- Russia
- South Africa
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
DROM long stay Visa Exempt Nationals
Nationals from the countries and regions listed below can visit and stay in DROM for up to 1 year without a Visa.
- European Union member countries
- European Economic Area (EEA) member countries
- Switzerland
- Monaco
- Andorra
Who is exempted from CTOM long and short stay visa?
Nationals who fall in the categories below or meet the criteria can visit France CTOM without Visa for up to 90 days
- French resident card Holder or National with long stay visa,
- Dutch residency permit holders in Sint Maarten,
- Nationals from the following countries who are involved in income-earning activities :
- Australia (note Mayotte and Saint Pierre and Miquelon, exemption validity is just month)
- Brazil
- Japan
- Mexico
- Singapore
- outh Korea
- Venezuela;
CTOM Long Stay Visa Exemption
If you are National from the regions or countries listed below you can visit France CTOM for up a year without Visa.
- Switzerland
- Monaco
- Andorra
- European Union member states
- European Economic Area (EEA) member states
Do I need Visa to visit France from Canada?
Canadian citizen or permanent resident, do not need a visa to visit France. However, be aware that there may be some restrictions on particular types of visits. For example, you may not be able to stay in certain areas for an extended period of time or work in the country. Certainly Canadians don’t need to have transit Visa when visiting France. If you intend to travel to France from Canada to work you will need to obtain visa
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a visa to go to France 2023?
Yes, you will need visa to visit France if your country is not listed amongst countries with France exemption agreement.
No, if your country enjoys visa waiver or part of the Schengen Area, EEA or EU. Note if you will be staying in France than 90 days to 360 days you will have to apply Visa.
Do i need a Visa to Visit France on holiday?
If your holiday is within 180 days and your country enjoy visa exemption or waiver you won’t Visa. But if your Country doesn’t enjoy the visa exemption or waiver then you will need Visa to visit France.
Do US citizens need a visa for France in 2023?
US citizens with Valid US passport visiting France and Schengen zone for tourist and business purpose within 90 days do not need France Visa. Note, as from May 2023 US citizens visiting the Schengen zone will need the Electronic Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
Do I need a visa for France from UK 2023?
UK citizens can still visit France for up to 90 days without Visa despite UK’s exit from EU. There are strong indications from next year that such privileges will be redefined. So the UK Citizens should seek for updates as from next near before visiting France and Schengen zone.
Conclusion
Conclusively, reasons why you need visa to visit France likewise conditions for Exemptions has been discussed including other details. Hopefully you find this article helpful and worthy of sharing with friends and Families planning to visit France.
