Embassy
Embassy of the United States, Paris
Paris
France visa requirements for American citizens
American citizens do not need a visa for France. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Passport
USA
United States
Going to
FRA
France
No visa needed
People from listed countries can visit without a visa using the right passport.
- Visa
- Not required
- Max stay
- 90 days (3 months)
- Fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in France.
Ways into France
Short visits allow up to 90 days across the Schengen area.
Visa not required For your passportVisa-free short visitPeople from listed countries can visit without a visa using the right passport.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- Free
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Check that your country and passport qualify.
- Check any special passport rules for your country.
- Carry your papers for border checks.
Documents required
- Passport that meets entry rules
- Proof of stay and funds
- Proof of visit purpose
- Travel insurance certificate
- Return ticket or ticket funds
- Hotel booking
- The 90-day limit counts all Schengen stays in any 180 days.
- Your passport type matters; check the rules before travel.
Visa not requiredVisit with residence papersSome residence permits and long-stay visas let you visit without another visa.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check whether France-Visas lists your permit or visa.
- Check that your permit or visa is still valid.
- Carry it with your passport.
Documents required
- Passport
- Listed residence permit or long-stay visa
- The short-visit limit is 90 days in any 180 days.
- This does not cover every foreign residence permit.
Visa on arrivalRare urgent border visaFor rare urgent cases where unexpected events stopped you applying before travel.
- Stay
- 15 days
How to apply
- Explain your urgent case to border police.
- Show why you could not apply before travel.
- Provide entry and onward travel proof when asked.
Documents required
- Passport or travel document
- Proof of unexpected urgent reasons
- Proof of return or onward travel
- Border police decide whether your case meets the rules.
- A planned trip without the needed visa does not alone qualify.
Visa requiredShort tourist visaFor people who need a visa to visit France for a holiday.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- €90
- Processing
- 15–45 days
How to apply
- Fill in the France-Visas form.
- Get the papers on your checklist.
- Take your papers to your appointment.
Documents required
- Passport with 2 blank pages
- Passport less than 10 years old
- Form and application receipt
- 2 recent passport photos
- Proof of stay and funds
- Travel medical insurance
- Hotel booking
- Fingerprints
- The 90-day limit counts all Schengen stays in any 180 days.
- You cannot work during a tourist visit.
Visa requiredLong visitor visaFor longer private stays in France without work.
- Fee
- €99
How to apply
- Fill in the France-Visas form.
- Submit your papers at the named visa centre.
- Complete the arrival steps shown on your visa.
Documents required
- Passport with 2 blank pages
- 2 recent passport photos
- Proof of funds
- Proof of a place to stay
- Medical cover
- Written promise not to work
- Hotel booking
- Travel insurance
- Fingerprints
- You must agree not to work.
- Your visa type sets the steps needed after arrival.
Sources (31)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Interior Ministry, Directorate-General for Foreign Nationals: Schengen short-stay visas
- Interior Ministry and French Office for Immigration and Integration: Family reunification
- France Diplomatie: Requesting a visa
- France-Visas: Official visa application and information portal
- France-Visas: Application process
- France-Visas: Short-stay visas, exemptions and overseas destinations
- France-Visas: Long-stay visas
- France-Visas: Border documents and arrival formalities
- France-Visas: Airport transit visas and exemptions
- France-Visas: Tourist stays shorter than three months
- France-Visas: Tourist stays longer than three months
- France-Visas: Business travel
- France-Visas: Students and entrance examinations
- France-Visas: Employment, postings and seasonal work
- France-Visas: Self-employment and independent professions
- France-Visas: Joining family
- France-Visas: Family of French nationals
- France-Visas: Family of European nationals
- France-Visas: Family of foreign residents
- France-Visas: Medical treatment
- France-Visas: Working holidays
- France-Visas: Young au pairs
- France-Visas: Official visa fee table
- French consular visa guidance for applicants in the United States, hosted on France-Visas
- French consular visa guidance for applicants in the United Kingdom, hosted on France-Visas
- French embassy and consular visa guidance for applicants in India, hosted on France-Visas
- Service Public: Visa requirements and conditions for entering France
- European Union: Consolidated visa nationality lists and passport conditions
- Official ETIAS portal: Current status and frequently asked questions
- European Union: Visa Code summary
- European Union: Visa Code, including exceptional border issuance
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Consulate general
U.S. Consulate General Marseille
Marseille
Place Varian Fry 13286 Marseille Cedex 6 France
Consulate general
Consulate General of the United States, Strasbourg
Strasbourg
15, Avenue d’Alsace 67082 Strasbourg Cedex France
Trips to France
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Coming from United States
- Plugs C EAdapter needed
- MoneyEUR €
- Time+2h
- DrivingOn the rightSame as home
- LanguageFrench
- Emergency17 police112 or 15 ambulance
Planning your France trip
Best time to go: Spring and autumn usually offer pleasant weather and fewer tourists. August brings busy roads, crowded attractions, higher room prices in Paris and closures at many local businesses.
- ParisSee the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Mona Lisa, and explore the cafés and historic nightlife of Montmartre.
- Loire ValleyVisit the region's many castles, including those from the Renaissance.
- French RivieraEnjoy sunny coastal scenery.
- BrittanyExplore a rugged region with Celtic heritage.
Scams to watch for in France
- Pickpocketing and distraction theftA thief takes your wallet, phone or other belongings without you noticing. Some work with another person who distracts you. Groups may surround you while someone reaches into a pocket or bag.
- Fake charity petitionsPeople approach with pledge sheets and pretend to be deaf charity collectors. While you read or sign, an accomplice may steal your belongings. After you sign, they point to a minimum donation demand. A group may surround you.
- Bar invitation with hidden service feesA person outside pressures you to enter a bar for a quick look. After you order a drink, a woman joins you for a short conversation. The bill then includes a large fee for her company. Bouncers may intimidate you into paying.
About France
France is a republic in Western Europe with overseas regions on three continents and in the Pacific.
- Capital
- Paris
- Money
- Euro (€)
- Languages
- French
- Time zone
- 14 time zones
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +33
Other Americas passports
Going to France
Easier trips nearby
Places close to France with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do american citizens need a visa for France?
American citizens do not need a visa for France. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
How long can american citizens stay in France?
Up to 90 days each visit with the no visa needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Do french citizens need a visa for the United States?
French citizens need an eTA, a short online form, before flying to the United States.
Do other Americas passports get easier entry to France?
Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados Brazil, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near France are easier for american citizens?
Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg Monaco, and 3 more let american citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to France?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in France?
Euro (€). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in France?
French.
How strong is the United States passport?
It ranks #12 and reaches 150 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck