Country
Passport Required?
Visa Required?
Return Ticket Required?
France is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen
Agreement.
Passport valid for 3 months beyond length of stay required
by all, except 1. nationals of EU countries, Andorra,
Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and Switzerland holding
valid national identification cards.
Required by all except the following for a period not
exceeding 3 months:
(a) nationals of countries referred to
in the chart and under passport exemptions above;
(b)
nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil,
Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras,
Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep. of),
Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macau (SAR), Malaysia,
Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama,
Paraguay, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak
Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and
Venezuela;
(c) transit passengers continuing their journey
by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding
valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the
airport. The following nationals always requires an airport
transit visa when not leaving the airport; Afghanistan,
Albania, Angola, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem. Rep. of), Eritrea,
Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Iraq, Iran, Liberia, Libya, Nigeria,
Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka.
A uniform Schengen visa, is issued for Short-stay
visits (tourist, business and students), Airport
transit, Transit and Long-stay (circulation)
visits. Short-stay: $20-$30 for 1-30 days (single- or
multiple-entry); $21-$45 for 31-90 days. Long-stay: $25-130 for up to 90 days. Transit/Air transit:
$7-$12
(single-, double- or multiple-entry).
(a) Prices change with the prevalent exchange rate, so
visitors are advised to check the exact price before
travelling. Payment is accepted in cash and Pounds sterling
only. (b) Spouses of EU nationals can obtain visa free of
charge on presentation of relevant documentation.
Short-stay visas are valid for 6 months from date of issue
for single- or multiple entries of maximum 90 days per entry.
Transit visas are valid for single- or multiple entries of
maximum 5 days per entry, including the day of arrival.
Long-stay visas are valid for up to 3 years for a maximum stay
of 90 days in every six month period. Visas cannot be
extended; a new application must be made each time.
Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy). Travellers visiting just one Schengen country
should apply to the Consulate of that country; travellers
visiting more than one Schengen country should apply to the
Consulate of the country chosen as the main destination or
the country they will enter first (if they have no main
destination).
(a) Passport valid for at least 3 months longer than
validity of the visa with one blank page to affix visa stamp.
(b) 1 application form. (c) 1 passport-size photo. (d)
Evidence of sufficient funds for stay. (e) Letter from
employer, accountant, school or university. (f) Return ticket
to country of residence. (g) Evidence of hotel reservations, a
certificate of board and lodging to be obtained by your french
host from the local town hall, means of support or proof of
official invitation from host or company. (h) Evidence of
medical insurance. (i) Fee; payable in cash only. (j) A letter
from the applicant’s employer, the last three payslips or a
letter from the applicant’s bank manager/solicitor if
self-employed. (k) For business travellers: a letter of
invitation from a french company.
Postal applications are only acceptable for nationals of
some countries and regions; consult the Consulate (or Consular
section at the Embassy) for further information.
For most nationals, 1-3 days. However, stateless persons,
refugees and nationals of the following countries should allow
at least 28 days for processing: Afghanistan, Algeria,
Burundi, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon,
Libya, Korea (DPR), Palestinian Territory, Rwanda, Sudan,
Surinam, Syria and Yemen. Nationals of certain countries who
are resident in the UK can obtain visas at the time of
application.
A Work Permit may have to be obtained in France. For full
details, enquire at the Consulate (or Consular section at the
Embassy); see Address section.
For information on French Overseas Departments, Overseas
Territories and Overseas Collectivites Territoriales,
consult the French Overseas Possessions section. See
also the individual sections on French Guiana,
Guadeloupe, Martinique, New Caledonia, Reunion
and Tahiti and her Islands.
2 rue Linois, 75740 Paris, France
Tel: (1) 4437 3600.
Fax: (1) 4437 3636.
Website: http://www.tourisme.gouv.fr/
(French Government Tourist Office)
20 avenue de l’Opéra,
75001 Paris, France
Tel: (1) 4296 7000. Fax: (1) 4296 7011.
E-mail: mailto:[email protected]
Website:
http://www.franceguide.com/
Visitors to forested areas should consider vaccination for
tick-borne encephalitis.
Rabies is present. For
those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be
considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without
delay. For more information, consult the Health
appendix.
The standard of medical
facilities and practitioners in France is very high but so are
the fees, and health insurance is recommended.
Jan 1 2002 New Year’s Day. Apr 1 Easter
Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 8 1945 Victory
Day. May 9 Ascension Day. May 20 Whit Monday.
Jul 14 Bastille Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Nov 1
All Saints’ Day. Nov 11 Remembrance Day. Dec 25
Christmas Day. Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Apr
21 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 8
1945 Victory Day. May 29 Ascension Day. Jun 9
Whit Monday. Jul 14 Bastille Day. Aug 15
Assumption. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Nov 11
Remembrance Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day.
Destination Guide – France
Passport and Visa Application
Health
Holidays
Note
Passports
Visas
Types of visa and cost
Note
Validity
Application to
Application requirements
Note
Working days required
Temporary residence
Addresses
Other risks
Health care
Public Holidays
Note
| British | 1 | no | yes |
| Australian | yes | no | yes |
| Canadian | yes | no | yes |
| USA | yes | no | yes |
| Other EU | 1 | no | yes |
| Japanese | yes | no | yes |
| Direction du Tourisme |
| Maison de la France |
|
|
|
|
| Health Precaution | Special Precaution | Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | no | no |
| Cholera | no | no |
| Typhoid and Polio | no | n/a |
| Malaria | no | n/a |
| Food and Drink | no | n/a |
|
In France the months of July and August are traditionally when the French take their holidays. For this reason, the less touristic parts of France are quiet during these months, while coastal resorts, especially in the south, are very crowded. |