Do
you need a Visa?
Several
factors determine whether a visa is waived:
* the nationality of the foreign national;
the
holding of a residence document in France or another country adhering
to the Schengen Agreement;
-
the length of stay;
- and which part of the territory of the French Republic the foreign
national is to visit.As far as visas are concerned, legislation divides
the territory of the French Republic into the following three sections,
where different regulations apply:
-
the European territory of France, which is part of the Schengen area;
- the territory of Overseas Departments (Réunion, Martinique,
Guadeloupe and French Guiana);
- Overseas territorial communities: French Polynesia, New Caledonia,
Mayotte, French Southern and Antarctic Territories.
1.
The European territory of France
The
European territory of France is part of the Schengen area. The Schengen
area includes the territory of the following European Union countries
and associated countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany,
Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain
and Sweden.
1.1.
Short stays (under 90 days in the Schengen area)
A
short stay is a stay in the Schengen area under 90 days or multiple
stays totalling less than 90 days in a period of six months.
For
short stays, European regulations determine the list of countries from
which citizens are not required to have a visa to enter the Schengen
area.
A
visa is waived for:
-
citizens of the following countries: Andorra, Argentina, Australia,
Bermuda, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco,
Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South
Korea, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela;
- holders of passports from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
of the People’s Republic of China and the Special Administrative
Region of Macao of the People’s Republic of China;
- holders of a valid residence document in France;
- holders of a residence document issued by a country which adheres
to the Schengen Agreement;
- holders of a travel document issued by a country which adheres to
the Schengen Agreement.
1.2.
Long stays (over 90 days in France)
Citizens
of the following countries are not required to have a long-stay visa:
Member States of the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA),
Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra.
2.
Overseas Departments (DOM)
- Réunion
- French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique (the three French Departments
of the Americas)
2.1.
Short stays
A
short stay is a stay under 90 days in an Overseas Department.
A
visa is waived for:
-
citizens of the following countries: Andorra, Argentina, Australia,
Bermuda, Bolivia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua,
New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, United
States, Uruguay, Venezuela;
- holders of passports from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
of the People’s Republic of China and the Macao Special Administrative
Region of the People’s Republic of China;
- holders of a valid residence document in France.
2.1.
Long stays
Citizens
of the following countries are not required to have a long-stay visa:
Member States of the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA),
Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra.
3.
Other territories of the French Republic located overseasThey include:
-
French Polynesia
- New Caledonia
- Wallis and Futuna
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- Mayotte
- French Southern and Antarctic Territories
3.1.
Short stays
A
short stay is a stay under 90 days.
A
visa is waived for the citizens of the following countries:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Bolivie, Brunei, Bermuda, Bolivia,
Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Holy See,
Honduras, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua,
New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, United
States, Uruguay.
3.2.
Long stays
Citizens
of the following countries are not required to have a long-stay visa:
Member States of the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA),
Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra.