How to get a visa for France from the US?

By Axel Strauss
Date: 15.11.2023

When it comes to tourist destinations, saying France is pretty popular is an understatement. Because — with dozens of millions of international visitors yearly — the country actually consistently ranks as the most visited country on the planet. And those numbers are only expected to keep growing. So if you’re planning a trip to la République (aka France) from the third most visited country on the planet — aka the U. S. of A. — then French natives AXA can help you figure out whether you need a visa or not, how to get one, and more.

• Is a Schengen visa the same as a French visa?
• Do I need a visa for France from the USA?
• Do US green card holders (and other US residents) need a France visa?
• What are the requirements for obtaining a French visa from the USA?
• Is ETIAS required for US citizens?
• How can AXA help?

Is a Schengen visa the same as a French visa?

Technically speaking, yes. But let’s make sure we got the lingo straight. Because — while “Schengen” is a vague but somewhat familiar word here in Europe — it remains a very much foreign (and often confusing) concept in the U.S.
France is universally famous for having unparalleled character and culture, impeccable cuisine, cheese, wine, the Eiffel Tower, and — among many, many other things — a very rich, unique, and international history. And part of that international history is that it is one of the five founding member countries of the Schengen area.
The Schengen agreement was signed in part to allow for visa-free travel between all and any countries in the Schengen zone (29 countries as of 2024). In other words, if you are not coming from the Schengen zone, you might need a French visa indeed. And that would be — you guessed it — a Schengen visa.
Meanwhile, there are four basic types of Schengen Visa: business, work, student, and short-stay (aka the “tourist visa”, and probably the one you’re looking for if you do need one).You can also opt for a multiple-entry visa if you’re planning more than one trip, and have a few different options if you happen to have a partner living, working, and/or studying in France.

Do I need a visa for France from the USA?

That depends. If you happen to be a citizen of one of the countries within the Schengen zone, you obviously don’t need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit France — from the U.S. or anywhere else.
But even if you’re not a Schengen national, you might be in luck. Because several countries have signed visa-free travel agreements with the EU (and the Schengen area). These include Australia, Canada, the U.K., and the U.S.
So if you’re a U.S. citizen (and/or a citizen of one or more of the countries above) — you currently do not need to apply for a visa to France. That is if you’re not spending more than 90 days (within a 180-day period) in the Schengen zone.

Who else doesn’t need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit France from the U.S.?

And to save you a bit of time, AXA has compiled the following list. That is, you do not need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit France from the U.S. if you are a passport holder of one (or more) of the following countries:

Who needs to apply for a Schengen visa to visit France from the U.S.?

However, if you are a citizen of a country that has not signed a visa waiver agreement with the European Union, you will indeed need a Schengen visa to visit France. This includes nationals of Africa, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, and nearly a hundred other countries.
Not sure which list you made? AXA can help you figure out whether you need to apply for a Schengen visa for France or not in no time.

IMPORTANT NOTE: AXA continuously strives to bring you the latest regarding travel requirements to our hometown of France. However, before finalizing any travel arrangements — it’s always a good call to double-check with France’s official government visa website too. And you can also consult the official website of the European Union — including for the full lists of the countries above.

Do US green card holders (and other US residents) need a France visa?

That depends on your home country. For example, U.S. green card holders and permanent residents whose home countries are exempt from a Schengen Visa can visit France visa-free.
Meanwhile, if your home country requires a visa to enter the Schengen Zone — then you’re going to need to apply. So — again — consult the lists and official websites above to make sure you covered all your bases.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The overseas territories of France (i.e., French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, St Pierre and Miquelon, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, and Wallis and Futuna Islands) are subject to their own bilateral arrangements between the countries concerned. So if your destination is not continental France, you can — and should — learn more about the visa requirements for visiting overseas French territories here.

What are the requirements for obtaining a French visa from the USA?

And now down to brass tacks. Fortunately, the process for applying for a Schengen visa is pretty universal — and in the U.S. it’s relatively painless (although it may require some traveling before you actually get to France).

What documents do I generally need?

In terms of the proper paperwork, you’ll need (at the very least):

• A valid passport (issued less than 10 years before and valid for at least 3 months after departure);
• Your Green Card and/or residency permit (if applicable);
• A Schengen visa application form;
• A letter of invitation (if applicable);
• A travel insurance certificate (which is mandatory, but more on that below)

Again, that’s the bare minimum, so keep in mind that the specific paperwork you’ll need will of course depend on your particular situation. And note that, to be granted a Schengen visa to France, you’ll also need to:

• Not come up as “reported for non-admission” in the Schengen Information System (SIS)
• Not pose a threat to the public order, internal security, public health, or international relations of any of the countries Schengen
• Have sufficient funds (more on that below).

How, where, and when should I apply?

To help you with the process in general, AXA has for you a complete guide to applying for a French visa. But we also have a quick summary of the process specifically in the U.S. — courtesy of France’s official government visa website) — below:

• French visa applications are examined exclusively by the French Consulate in Washington DC.
• However, U.S. citizens and residents can also set up their appointment via the company VFS Global and at one of their 10 centers in the U.S.* located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington DC.

*NOTE: This includes people living in Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (hence, the traveling).
Residents of Puerto Rico, meanwhile, can also apply at the Spanish Consulate in San Juan.

• Make sure your appointment is scheduled at least 15 days before your date of departure for a short-stay visa and 1 month before for a long-stay visa.
• Applications cannot be submitted more than 6 months before the departure date for short-stay visa applications and more than 3 months before the departure date for long-stay visa applications.

IMPORTANT NOTE (from the source): The visa application submission procedure does not end after filling the form online on the France Visas website. You still need to print the application form and take it with you, along with all other required documents, when you submit your application at VFS.

How much is a France visa fee?

The costs of the Schengen Visa are the same in the U.S. as anywhere else. €80 is the standard fee (roughly $86). For kids between the ages of six and twelve, it’s €40 (or around $43). And children under the age of six can get a Schengen visa for free.

How long can a U.S. citizen stay in France with a visa?

Your short-stay Schengen visa allows you three months (or 90 days) in France within any 180-day period. If you want to stay longer, here’s what France’s official visa website says:

• For any stay in France exceeding 90 days, you are required to apply in advance for a long-stay visa. In this instance your nationality does not exempt you from requirements. Whatever the duration of your planned stay, the duration of your long-stay visa must be between three months and one year. To extend your stay beyond the period of validity of your visa, you must apply for a residence permit at a prefecture.

How much money do I need?

Well, that depends on what exactly you want to do. But, legally speaking, the sufficient funds required per day when traveling to France vary as follows:

• If you have proof of booking a hotel room: €65 (roughly $70) per day of stay
• If you do not have proof of booking a hotel room: €120 (or $140) per day of stay
• If you're staying at someone's place and have proof of an acceptance certificate (or a attestation d'accueil): €32.50 (or $35) per day of stay.

How much money can I enter France with?

That’s also up to you. But if you are carrying a sum of money that is equal to or greater than €10,000 (or roughly $10, 860), you will have to declare this to customs upon your arrival in/departure from France. That’s according to the official website of the European Union.

Is ETIAS required for US citizens?

Not until 2025. But in case you haven’t heard, ETIAS — aka the European Travel Information and Authorization System — is a new system of requirements for entering Europe (including France) that’s been in the works for years. And AXA can tell you all about it here.

How can AXA help?

While we can’t give you the France (aka Schengen) visa itself, we can definitely help ensure you get one. How? By doing what we do best — providing you with some quality Schengen travel insurance. Because to be granted a Schengen visa for France (or anywhere else in the Schengen zone), your insurance must meet the following criteria:

• Guarantee minimum coverage for at least €30,000 in medical expenses
• Cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons
• Cover you in all member states of the Schengen Area (not just France)
• Cover you during the entire duration of your trip and stay in France (and/or the rest of Schengen area).

Not only do our plans check all the boxes above, but we also offer all sorts of other great benefits — starting at as little as 22€ (or around $24) a week.

You can learn more about and compare our 3 different plans here. And, once you’ve found what you’re looking for, you can download (and/or print) the AXA travel insurance certificate — accepted at all French embassies and consulates near and far — instantly.
With it — and its 24/7 protection, assistance, and peace of mind — not only will you be one big step closer to obtaining your Schengen visa for France from the U.S. But you will also ensure that your trip to the most visited country in the world is a bon voyage indeed.

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Is France part of the Schengen Zone?

Yes. France is one of the Schengen member States (and it’s also one member of the European Union).

Is France part of the EU?

Yes. Along with being a founding Schengen State, France is one member of the European Union.

What currency is used in France?

France is also a member of the Eurozone. Its currency is, therefore, the Euro (€).
NOTE: However, the currency in Tahiti (French Polynesia) is the French Pacific Franc (i.e., the F CFP). And one Euro is roughly 119.33 F CFP.

Are there any COVID restrictions for entering France?

No. As of late 2022, all COVID restrictions for visiting France have been lifted. But you can double-check the COVID section of France’s official Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs website  for the latest info.

Can Americans stay in France for longer than 90 days?

Yes. However, to do so, you’ll need to apply for a long-stay Schengen visa.

What happens if I overstay my visa in France?

The consequences of overstaying your visa range from paying a fine, deportation, jail time, or even being banned from ever visiting France again. Fortunately, AXA is happy to help you avoid all of them.