Travel Requirements for France

Travel requirements for U.S. citizens vary according to the purpose of your visit. (Photo: us passport image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com )

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Travel requirements for France vary according to a number of factors. A traveler s country of citizenship, intended length of stay and purpose for visiting all are key in determining relevant travel requirements and documentation necessary for entering and exiting the country. Though anyone who travels to France will require a passport, other factors will determine whether or not a visa, or any other information, is needed.

Passport Requirements

A passport that will still be valid for at least three months beyond the intended length of the visit is required for anyone wishing to visit France. For example, if a U.S. citizen wishes to visit Paris for a week s vacation, she must have a passport with an expiration date of three months and one week beyond the day of arrival. If a Canadian citizen intends to visit Nice for a two-month business trip, his passport must expire no sooner than five months from the day of arrival. According to WorldTravelGuide.net, the only exception to this policy is for EU nationals with a valid national ID card.

Necessity of Visa

According to the Embassy of France in Washington D.C. visitors must have documentation substantiating the purpose of their visit, evidence of financial support for the duration of their stay and proof of accommodations. On the basis of this information, a visa may or may not be required.

According to the U.S. Department of State, citizens of Austria, Australia, Canada, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United States and Switzerland may travel to France for a period of no more than 90 days for tourism or business purposes, without a visa. Those wishing to visit France for any other reason, such as employment, studies or an internship, or those who are citizens of any of a number of other countries, will require a visa for entry.

Visa Application

Applicants in need of a visa should visit the French embassy s website. Here, general information can be found about the types of visas, documentation required for each and the application process. In general, anyone wishing to pursue an education or internship, or seek employment, will need to apply for a visa. It is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the particular visa required, as these requirements can vary considerably. For example, a U.S. citizen wishing to study in France for a period greater than 90 days must first enroll in CampusFrance. She will also need to apply for a long-stay visa.

Those needing to apply for a visa can make an appointment on the French embassy s website, keeping in mind that they should make the appointment with the office holding jurisdiction over their place of residence. There are ten consulate/embassy offices in the United States, each with a predetermined jurisdiction. For instance, travelers residing in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia should apply at the Washington D.C. office. All applicants should allow two to three months for processing.