Travel documents and visas

Before you start packing, you should find out about the administrative formalities and visa requirements for entering France. Since these formalities may take some time depending on your nationality, we strongly advise you to do this well before your trip.
  • EUROPEAN UNION

European Union (EU) nationals do not require a visa to enter France. A simple identity card is sufficient. For non EU nationals, a valid passport is obligatory.

  • SCHENGEN AREA

The Schengen Area asserts the principle of freedom of movement: once on the territory of any of the member states, all individuals (whether EU nationals or not) can cross the border freely into another member state. They no longer need a passport to move around: for example, flights between Schengen Area states are considered as internal flights.

So if you have a visa for one of the Schengen Area countries, you can easily enter France.

The Schengen Area currently comprises 26 countries: Germany, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, Finland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia and Malta. There are four associate states: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

  • VERIFY

To verify whether you need a visa and to find out how to get one, contact the French embassy or consular services in your country or visit the site of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs:http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/ . You will find there a very simple method of checking whether you need a visa based on your country of residence and nationality.

There you will be able to find out whether or not a visa is required depending on your country of residence and your nationality.

  • MINORS

Children under 18 must have a letter of authorization, signed by their parents, in order to travel alone.

  • F.A.Q

I hold a valid residence visa for a Schengen Area state. Do I need another visa to travel to France? No, if you are resident within the Schengen Area, you can move around there freely until your visa expires.

Why does it take so long for some foreign nationals to get a Schengen Area visa? Because, before issuing a visa for the Schengen Area, the Consulate General of France must consult with its other Schengen partners. Visa requests are sent to France to be examined. This process is quite long, but it is obligatory. Note that it will be required each time you apply for a visa.

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