France Visa Facts at a Glance
| Item | Who or what | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free visit | US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and other exempt nationalities | Up to 90 days in any 180 |
| Tourist visa | All other nationalities | Schengen visa, type C |
| Long stay | Over 3 months, up to 1 year | Long-stay visa, type D (€99) |
| Visa fee | Adults / children 6 to under 12 / under 6 | €90 / €45 / free |
| Decision time | Standard case / extended | About 15 days / up to 45 days |
| When to apply | Earliest / latest | 6 months / generally 15 days before departure |
| Medical insurance | Whole stay, all Schengen states | At least €30,000 cover |
| Photo | Identity standard | 35 × 45 mm, face 32 to 36 mm |
| Where to apply | France-Visas form, then visa centre | TLScontact (US, UK), VFS Global (India) or consulate |
| ETIAS | Visa-free travellers | Not in operation yet; €20 once live |
| EES | All non-EU short-stay visitors | Fingerprints and face scan at the border |
(official information) Sources: France-Visas, service-public.gouv.fr, French diplomatic missions, European Commission. France-Visas has the final word.
France Visa Application: The Official France-Visas Website and Form
- Only one official site
- Form is filled in online
- Fingerprints from age 12
Every France visa application starts on france-visas.gouv.fr, the government portal for applying and tracking. Sites with similar names that charge for filling in the form are not part of the official process. The French embassy in London describes France-Visas as the official website for submitting and tracking an application.
Step by step
- Run the Visa wizard. Enter nationality, country of residence, purpose and length of stay. It tells you whether you need a visa, which type, the documents for your case and the fee.
- Create an account and fill in the application form. The France visa application form is completed online; France-Visas also publishes the Schengen form as a PDF, but the online route is the standard one.
- Book your appointment with the visa centre or consulate for your country of residence (see the appointment section).
- Attend in person with your printed application, passport and supporting documents. Fingerprints and a photo are taken for the Visabio database; children under 12 give no fingerprints.
- Pay the fee at the appointment or when booking, depending on the centre.
- Track the file on France-Visas until you are told your passport is ready.
Keep the application number from France-Visas: it ties together your online form, your appointment and the tracking page. Each traveller, including a baby, needs a separate application.
Sources: France-Visas, Visa wizard and application pages; French embassy in the UK, applying for a visa (updated 9 March 2026); service-public.gouv.fr, Schengen short-stay visa (F16146). Confirm the final word on France-Visas before you apply.
Do I Need a Visa for France? Visa-Free Passports and the 90/180-Day Rule
- Nationality decides
- Visa-free: 90 days in any 180
- Count covers all Schengen states
France belongs to the Schengen area, so a short-stay France visa is a Schengen visa that a French consulate issues. Whether you need one is decided by the passport you travel on, not by where you live or where you are flying from. The Visa wizard on France-Visas gives the official answer for each nationality.
| Passport | Holiday, family visit or short business trip to France |
|---|---|
| EU and EEA countries, Switzerland | No visa; free movement rules apply |
| Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States and the other visa-exempt countries on the EU list | Visit France visa-free; the stay limit is 90 days within any 180 |
| India, Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan and every nationality not on the exemption list | Short-stay Schengen visa (type C) before departure |
How the 90/180-day rule is counted
France-Visas describes a short stay as one that does not exceed 90 days over any period of 180 consecutive days. Pick any day of your trip, look back over the previous 180 days, and add up every day you spent anywhere in the Schengen area: the total may not pass 90.
A week in Spain last spring counts against a later trip to Paris. Arrival and departure days both count. The European Commission publishes a short-stay calculator, linked from the French public service site, that does the arithmetic for you.
French overseas territories are a separate case
Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and the other overseas territories are outside the Schengen area. A Schengen visa does not cover them, and each has its own entry list set by French ministerial order. Check the territory on France-Visas before booking.
Sources: France-Visas, short-stay visa and Visa wizard; Travel to Europe (European Union), ETIAS: who should apply; service-public.gouv.fr, does a foreigner need a visa for an overseas trip. Confirm the final word on France-Visas before you apply.
France Visa Schengen or Long Stay: Type C and Type D Explained
- Type C: up to 90 days
- Type D: over 3 months, up to 1 year
- Main destination rule
Two visa families cover almost every trip. The short-stay visa (type C) is the Schengen visa for tourism, family visits, business meetings and short events. The long-stay visa (type D) is a French national visa for stays longer than three months.
| Schengen France visa (type C) | Long stay France visa (type D) | |
|---|---|---|
| Length of stay | Up to 90 days in any 180 | More than 3 months, up to 1 year |
| Territory | Whole Schengen area | France; Schengen travel limited to 90 days within its validity |
| Fee | €90 adult | €99 standard rate |
| Earliest application | 6 months before departure | 3 months before departure |
| Typical purposes | Tourism, visiting relatives, business, short events | Study, work, family, long visitor stays |
When France is the right country to apply to
Apply to France when France is your only destination or your main one, judged by the length or purpose of the stay. If no main destination can be identified, the country through which you first enter the Schengen area handles the application. Ten days in Lyon and three in Geneva is a French case; three days in Paris before a week in Rome belongs to Italy.
Long-stay visas in one paragraph
A long stay France visa is also applied for on France-Visas, in the country where you live, no earlier than three months before departure. Many type D visas are the VLS-TS kind, which works as a residence permit for 4 to 12 months; it has to be validated online within three months of arrival, with an extra fee on top of the visa fee.
British citizens have needed a long-stay visa for stays beyond 90 days since 1 January 2021. Work, study and retirement routes each have their own checklist on France-Visas, so this guide stops here.
Sources: France-Visas, short-stay visa, FAQ and British citizen pages; service-public.gouv.fr, Schengen short-stay visa (F16146) and long-stay visa (F16162, verified 9 October 2026). Confirm the final word on France-Visas before you apply.
France Visa for US Citizens, Green Card Holders and Other Residents
- US citizens: no visa for 90 days
- Green card holders: passport decides
- Apply where you legally live
Searches for a France visa for US citizens and for green card holders lead to different answers, because the rule follows nationality.
US citizens
An American passport is enough for a holiday or business trip to France lasting no more than 90 days in a rolling 180-day window. They register in the EES at the first Schengen border and will need ETIAS once it starts. A US France visa is needed only for longer stays, study or work, and then it is a long-stay visa applied for on France-Visas.
Green card holders and other US residents
A green card does not replace a visa. If your passport is on the visa-required list, you apply in the US as a resident: fill in the form on France-Visas, then book at any TLScontact centre in the US. The French Consulate in Washington DC takes the decision. Bring your green card, since it shows you live legally in the country where you apply.
Residents of any other country
The French public service site directs applicants to the French consulate in their country of residence. If you are only visiting a country, for instance on a tourist visa, you are usually expected to apply from home; check the local rules on France-Visas before booking abroad.
Sources: France-Visas, United States page and airport transit page; service-public.gouv.fr, Schengen short-stay visa (F16146); European Commission, EES and ETIAS. Confirm the final word on France-Visas before you apply.
France Visa Appointment: TLScontact, VFS Global and Consulates
- Book where you live
- TLScontact: US and UK
- VFS Global: India
After the online form, you book an appointment with the external service provider named on the France-Visas page for your country of residence, or with the consulate where no provider is used. The provider collects documents, fingerprints and fees; only French consular staff decide on the visa.
United States: TLScontact for France visa applicants
France-Visas states that applications lodged in the US are examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC, the only authority that takes the decision. Intake goes through a network of TLScontact centres, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington DC. Residents of the US and several nearby territories may book at any of the centres, whatever their state.
Residents of Puerto Rico can also apply for short-stay Schengen visas at the Spanish Consulate in San Juan.
United Kingdom: TLScontact London, Manchester and Edinburgh
UK residents file at any of the three TLScontact centres; there is no consular district. France-Visas lists a TLScontact service fee of €40 to €55 per appointment, not refundable once biometrics are taken. Spouses of French nationals and family members of EU citizens apply directly at the French Consulate General in London, by appointment.
India: VFS Global for France visa applicants
Residents of India use VFS Global centres, among them Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Puducherry and Pune, and may choose any of them.
Appointments are booked on the VFS website or through its call centre. Decisions are taken by the French consulates in Mumbai, Puducherry, Kolkata and Bengaluru and by the visa section of the embassy in Delhi.
Everywhere else
Open the France-Visas page for the country where you live: it names the provider, the centres and any local rules. Do not rely on a search result for the provider's address.
Sources: France-Visas country pages for the United States, United Kingdom and India. Confirm the final word on France-Visas before you apply.
Requirements for France Visa: Documents Checklist and €30,000 Insurance
- Passport under 10 years old
- Insurance from €30,000
- Proof of funds per day
The France visa requirements below form the core of a tourist file. The exact list for your case comes from the France-Visas wizard, and some consulates add local items, so treat this as the base layer.
| Document | What is expected |
|---|---|
| Application | Online France-Visas form, printed and signed, with the appointment confirmation |
| Passport | Under 10 years old on the day you apply, with two empty pages and 3 months of validity left after the visa expires |
| Photo | Recent identity photo to the official standard (see the photo section) |
| Travel medical insurance | Covers medical, hospital and repatriation costs; minimum cover €30,000 |
| Accommodation | Hotel booking for the whole stay, or a host's welcoming certificate (attestation d'accueil) validated by the town hall |
| Means of subsistence | Recent bank statements (typically the last 3 months), payslips or similar proof |
| Return travel | Return ticket, or the means to buy one for the planned return date |
| Residence status | If you are not a national of the country where you apply, your residence permit there |
How much money you need to show
The French public service site sets daily minimum amounts that border officers can ask about, and consulates use the same logic:
| Your accommodation | Minimum per day |
|---|---|
| Proof of a hotel booking | €65 |
| No proof of hotel booking | €120 |
| Staying with a host who has a welcoming certificate | €32.50 |
For a partly booked stay the two rates are combined. The welcoming certificate is requested by the host from the town hall, costs €30 in tax stamps and must be sent to the visitor before the visa application.
The insurance requirement
The policy must cover at least €30,000 of medical costs, be valid in every Schengen state and run for every day of the requested stay. We do not recommend insurers; read the policy wording for the amount, territory and dates.
Sources: service-public.gouv.fr, does a foreigner need a visa to come to France (F21921), Schengen short-stay visa (F16146) and certificate of acceptance (F2191); France-Visas, short-stay visa and arrival in France. Confirm the final word on France-Visas before you apply.
France Visa Photo Size and Picture Requirements
- 35 × 45 mm
- Face 32 to 36 mm
- No older than 6 months
The France visa picture size used by French authorities is 35 mm wide by 45 mm high, following the ISO/IEC 19794-5 standard. The visa centre also captures a live photo, but bring a printed one in case your centre asks for it.
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
| Face size | 32 to 36 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, hair not included |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months and still a good likeness |
| Background | Plain and light, such as light blue or light grey; white is not accepted under the French photo standard |
| Colour and quality | Sharp, no creases or marks, even lighting, no shadows; colour strongly recommended |
| Pose | Facing the camera, head straight, eyes open and visible, neutral expression, mouth closed |
| Head | Uncovered; hats and caps not allowed |
| Glasses | No thick frames, no tinted lenses, no reflections, frames must not hide the eyes |
The France visa photo size is the same for adults and children. A professional photographer or an approved photo booth is the safest way to meet the face-size range.
Sources: French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, identity photo standard leaflet (ISO/IEC 19794-5:2005); France-Visas, visa photograph requirements. Confirm the final word on France-Visas before you apply.
France Visa Fee: €90, Children's Rate and Service Charges
- Adults: €90
- Children 6 to under 12: €45
- Not refunded if refused
The Schengen visa fee is set at EU level and applies whatever your nationality, except where an EU agreement sets a different amount. The France-Visas wizard shows the exact fee for your situation before you book.
| Visa | Fee |
|---|---|
| Short-stay visa, adult | €90 |
| Short-stay visa, child aged 6 to under 12 | €45 |
| Short-stay visa, child under 6 | Free |
| Long-stay visa (type D) | €99 standard rate |
| Service provider charge | Extra; set locally (UK example: €40 to €55 at TLScontact) |
The €90 and €45 amounts date from the EU fee increase of 11 June 2024, which raised the adult rate from €80 and the child rate from €40. Fees are often collected in local currency at the exchange rate the consulate fixes.
What the fee does not buy
The visa fee pays for the examination, not the outcome. According to service-public.gouv.fr, a refusal or a withdrawn application does not bring the money back. Optional extras sold at visa centres, such as courier return or premium lounges, are separate and not required.
Sources: France-Visas, FAQ and visa fees table; service-public.gouv.fr, Schengen short-stay visa (F16146); Embassy of France in Ethiopia, increase in visa fees notice. Confirm the final word on France-Visas before you apply.
France Visa Processing Time, When to Apply and How to Track Your Application
- Apply 6 months to 15 days ahead
- Decision usually 15 days
- Track on France-Visas
France-Visas says a decision usually takes 15 days, and that this can be extended up to 45 days in particular cases. Appointment waiting times come on top and vary by country and season.
| Stage | Timing |
|---|---|
| Earliest application | 6 months before departure |
| Latest application | Generally 15 days before departure; some consulates ask for more |
| Standard decision | About 15 days |
| Cases needing more checks | Up to 45 days |
| UK guidance | Allow at least 20 working days |
| No reply after 2 months | Counts as an implicit refusal |
Plan the France visa processing time around peak months. Applying soon after the six-month mark for summer or year-end travel leaves room for a second appointment if a document is missing.
Track your France visa and check its status
Log in to your France-Visas account with your application number to track the France visa file; you are notified when the passport is ready and told how to collect it. Service providers run their own trackers as well: in India, for example, applicants can follow the file on the VFS website.
A status showing the passport is ready does not reveal the decision; you see it when you open the envelope or collect the passport.
Sources: France-Visas, the process, and country pages for the United States, United Kingdom, Thailand and India; French embassy in the UK, applying for a visa; service-public.gouv.fr, Schengen short-stay visa (F16146). Confirm the final word on France-Visas before you apply.
France Visa Transit: Who Needs an Airport Transit Visa
- Most travellers: no transit visa
- Common EU list plus a French list
- India removed on 10 April 2026
An airport transit visa lets you wait in the international zone of a French airport for a connecting flight to a country outside Schengen. It does not let you leave the international zone. If you need to pass through passport control, for example to change airports in Paris or to stop over in the city, a short-stay visa is needed instead.
| Who | Airport transit visa in France |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan, Bangladesh, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka | Required on the common EU list (Visa Code, Annex IV) |
| Further nationalities on France's own national list | Required; check your nationality on the France-Visas transit page |
| Indian ordinary passport holders | No longer required since 10 April 2026 when staying airside |
| Nationals who are visa-exempt for Schengen | Not required |
Exemptions
France-Visas lists exemptions for holders of a valid visa issued by an EU or EEA state, Canada, the United States or Japan, for holders of a valid EU or EEA residence permit, for diplomatic passport holders and for aircraft crew. Some country pages add a caution: UK visas and UK residence permits do not exempt Ghanaian or Nigerian travellers.
Sources: France-Visas, airport transit visa and Ghana and Nigeria pages; EU Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, Annex IV; French embassy in India, airport transit notice. Confirm the final word on France-Visas before you apply.
EES and ETIAS: What Changes at the French Border
- EES fully running since 10 April 2026
- ETIAS not yet operating
- ETIAS fee: €20
EES: the Entry/Exit System
The EES registers non-EU nationals on short stays when they cross a Schengen external border, including the French border at airports, ports and the Channel crossings. It records passport details, fingerprints, a facial image and the date and place of each entry and exit, and replaces passport stamps.
The rollout began on 12 October 2025 and the European Commission confirms the system has been fully operational across all Schengen countries since 10 April 2026. Visa holders and visa-free visitors are both covered.
ETIAS: the travel authorisation for visa-free nationals
The European Commission's ETIAS page states that the system is currently not in operation and that no applications are collected. Its April 2026 guidance says ETIAS is scheduled to start in the last quarter of 2026, and the EU will announce the exact date several months before launch. No start date had been announced when we checked.
| ETIAS detail | Official position |
|---|---|
| Who will need it | Visa-exempt nationals, such as US, UK, Canadian and Australian citizens |
| Who will not | Anyone holding a Schengen visa; EU citizens |
| Fee | €20; travellers under 18 or over 70 exempt from paying |
| Validity | 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first |
| Status on 31 October 2026 | Not in operation |
Sources: European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs), EES full operation notice, Main differences between the EES and ETIAS, ETIAS policy page and ETIAS fee notice; Travel to Europe (European Union). Confirm the final word on France-Visas before you apply.
France Visa Refused: Reasons and the Official Appeal Procedure
- Written reasons given
- Administrative appeal within 30 days
- Then the Nantes court
A refusal notice states the grounds. The French public service site lists the usual ones: missing proof of accommodation, funds or medical insurance; false or doubtful documents; 90 days already used in the current 180-day period; a Schengen Information System alert; a threat to public order; an unclear purpose; or doubt that you will leave before the visa ends.
The two-step appeal
| Step | Where | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Prior administrative appeal (mandatory) | Written appeal to the Deputy Director of Visas, Ministry of the Interior | Within 30 days of notification of the refusal |
| 2. Court appeal | Administrative Court of Nantes, request for annulment | Within 2 months of the appeal being rejected, expressly or by 2 months of silence |
The Deputy Director can dismiss the appeal or instruct the consulate to issue the visa. As an alternative, many applicants simply reapply with a stronger file that answers the stated reason; a new application means a new fee.
Sources: service-public.gouv.fr, Schengen short-stay visa (F16146, verified 13 August 2026). Confirm the final word on France-Visas before you apply.
Official Links: France Visa Website and Where to Check
- Government and EU sites only
- No paid helpers needed
| What | Official page |
|---|---|
| Visa wizard, forms, fees, tracking | France-Visas: official visa website |
| Short-stay visa rules | service-public.gouv.fr: Schengen short-stay visa |
| Entry conditions and funds | service-public.gouv.fr: does a foreigner need a visa |
| Applying from the US | France-Visas: United States |
| Applying from the UK | France-Visas: United Kingdom |
| Applying from India | France-Visas: India |
| Airport transit | France-Visas: airport transit visa |
| ETIAS and EES | European Union: Travel to Europe |
For any other country of residence, open France-Visas and choose the country where you live: the page names the visa centre, the provider and local rules.
Once the visa is in your passport
Check the dates, the number of entries and the spelling of your name before you leave the visa centre or as soon as the passport is back. Book non-refundable travel only after approval; a refundable reservation is enough for the file. Compare flights to France Ad. For the trip itself, see our guides to Strasbourg , Colmar , Riquewihr , Kaysersberg and Obernai , plus our French phrases with audio.
(official information) France-Visas has the final word on every rule above.
How early can I apply for a France visa?
Up to six months before departure for a short stay, and generally no later than 15 days before. Long-stay applications open three months before departure.
Do US citizens need a visa for France?
No. Americans can spend up to 90 days in any 180 in France and the rest of Schengen without a visa, as tourists or on business. US citizens register in the EES at the border; a long-stay visa is needed only for stays over three months, study or work.
How much is a France visa?
Adults pay €90 for a French short-stay Schengen visa; children from 6 to 11 pay €45 and under-6s pay nothing. The visa centre's service charge is added on top, and the fee is not refunded after a refusal.
What is the official France visa website?
france-visas.gouv.fr. It hosts the Visa wizard, the online application form and the tracking page; TLScontact or VFS Global appointments are reached from its country pages.
What size is the France visa photo?
35 × 45 mm, with the face measuring 32 to 36 mm from chin to crown, a plain light background and a photo taken within the last six months.
Can green card holders visit France without a visa?
Only if their passport is visa-exempt. A green card alone does not replace a Schengen visa; holders with a visa-required passport apply in the US through TLScontact, and a US residence permit does exempt them from France's airport transit visa.
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