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6 ways to enter

France visas

France tourist visa

Many travellers can visit France without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Others need a short-stay Schengen visa.

Ways to get a France tourist visa

  1. Visa-free short visit

    No visa needed

    Ordinary passport holders from the listed countries and territories can visit for pleasure without a visa.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

  2. Short-stay Schengen visa

    Visa needed

    Travellers who need a visa for a short holiday and meet the visa requirements can apply.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
    Valid for
    Usually the intended trip for new applicants; up to five years for some visas.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries.
    Fee
    EUR 90 standard; EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 12; free for children under 6. Additional exemptions, reductions or increases can apply. An external service fee can be up to EUR 120.
    Processing
    Within 15 calendar days for an admissible application with no issues; appointment shortages and delays can occur.
    1. Choose the embassy or consulate for your main destination, or your first Schengen entry if no main destination can be identified.
    2. Apply no more than six months before entry, through the embassy, consulate or its external application provider.
    3. Attend in person and have an interview for your first application.
    4. Provide any required fingerprints and digital photograph, pay the fee and await the decision.

  3. European free movement

    No visa needed

    Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland can enter France without a visa under free movement rules.

    Stay
    Free movement rules allow entry, residence and work.

  4. Visit with an existing visa or residence permit

    No visa needed

    Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by another Schengen state, Gibraltar or Monaco can make short visits to France without an additional visa.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

  5. Visa-free entry for refugees and stateless people living in Ireland

    No visa needed

    France grants visa-free entry to refugees and stateless people resident in Ireland.

  6. Bilateral visa-free stay

    No visa needed

    Australian and New Zealand citizens have separate visa-waiver arrangements with France.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in France without reference to time spent in other Schengen countries, under the bilateral arrangements.

    Passports that qualify (2)

Who needs it

Travellers whose nationality requires a visa must get one before visiting, unless another exemption applies.

Who doesn't

Citizens of the listed visa-free countries and territories can make short visits without a visa. Separate exemptions cover European free movement, certain residence permit holders, family members, school groups, refugees and stateless people.

How to apply

  1. Apply to France's embassy or consulate if France is your only or main destination. If there is no main destination, apply to the first Schengen country you will enter.
  2. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. An external service provider may handle the application.
  3. Attend in person for your first application and an interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photograph if required.
  4. Pay the applicable fee and wait for a decision.

What to bring

  • Travel document.
  • Supporting documents for your application.
  • Fingerprints and a digital photograph, if required.

Good to know

  • Count short visits across the whole Schengen Area together, rather than giving France a separate 90-day allowance.
  • Time in Gibraltar also counts towards the visa-free short-stay limit.
  • France's daily funds requirement is EUR 120 without proof of accommodation, EUR 65 when staying at a hotel, or EUR 32.50 with proof of accommodation.
  • Check any country restrictions printed on your visa.
  • Children under 12 do not provide fingerprints. Fingerprints provided within the past 59 months may not need to be collected again.
  • Some applications can cost up to EUR 180 because of the applicant's country's cooperation on returning irregular migrants. This increase excludes children under 12.
  • An online Schengen application platform is planned. An operating online visa programme is not established here.
  • Overseas France has separate visa policies.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for France?

Travellers whose nationality requires a visa must get one before visiting, unless another exemption applies. Citizens of the listed visa-free countries and territories can make short visits without a visa. Separate exemptions cover European free movement, certain residence permit holders, family members, school groups, refugees and stateless people.

What are the ways to get a tourist visa for France?

There are 6 options: Visa-free short visit (no visa at all); Short-stay Schengen visa (a visa from an embassy); European free movement (no visa at all); Visit with an existing visa or residence permit (no visa at all); Visa-free entry for refugees and stateless people living in Ireland (no visa at all); Bilateral visa-free stay (no visa at all).

Who can go to France without a tourist visa?

Ordinary passport holders from the listed countries and territories can visit for pleasure without a visa. Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland can enter France without a visa under free movement rules. Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by another Schengen state, Gibraltar or Monaco can make short visits to France without an additional visa. France grants visa-free entry to refugees and stateless people resident in Ireland. Australian and New Zealand citizens have separate visa-waiver arrangements with France.

How long can I stay on a France tourist visa?

Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

How much does a France tourist visa cost?

Standard visa fee: EUR 90. EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 12; free for children under 6. Other reductions and exemptions apply. An external application service may charge up to EUR 120 extra.

How long does a France tourist visa take?

A decision is due within 15 calendar days for an admissible application with no issues. Appointment shortages and delays can occur.

How long is a France tourist visa valid?

For the intended trip, or up to five years for some visas. Entries: One, two or multiple entries, as granted..

What documents do I need for a France tourist visa?

Travel document.; Supporting documents for your application.; Fingerprints and a digital photograph, if required..

How do I apply for a France tourist visa?

1. 1. Apply to France's embassy or consulate if France is your only or main destination. If there is no main destination, apply to the first Schengen country you will enter. 2. 2. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. An external service provider may handle the application. 3. 3. Attend in person for your first application and an interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photograph if required. 4. 4. Pay the applicable fee and wait for a decision.

What rules do I have to follow on a France tourist visa?

Count short visits across the whole Schengen Area together, rather than giving France a separate 90-day allowance. Time in Gibraltar also counts towards the visa-free short-stay limit. France's daily funds requirement is EUR 120 without proof of accommodation, EUR 65 when staying at a hotel, or EUR 32.50 with proof of accommodation. Check any country restrictions printed on your visa.

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