France Visa

When you need to get your French travel visa processed quickly, Travel Document Systems is here to help. All of the French visa requirements and application forms, plus convenient online ordering.

French travel visas are also responsible for handling travel visas for French Guiana, French Polynesia, Marqesas Islands, Mayotte, Monaco, New Caledonia, Reunion Island, Saint Martin (French part), Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and Tahiti.

Get a Tourist Visa for France

France issues Tourist visas for:
  • Tourist travel

France Tourist Visa for US Passport Holders Not Required

When you are travelling to France with a U.S. Passport, a Tourist Visa is not required.

No Visa required for a stay of up to 3 Months

Check travel recommendations

France Tourist Visa for Non-US Passport Holders Required

When you are travelling to France with a Non-US Passport, a Tourist Visa is required.

TDS is unable to assist at this time.

An appointment to make a personal appearance at the Embassy or Consulate General is required.

Get a Business Visa for France

France issues Business visas for:
  • Business Travel

France Business Visa for US Passport Holders Not Required

When you are travelling to France with a U.S. Passport, a Business Visa is not required.

No Visa required for a stay of up to 3 Months

Check travel recommendations

France Business Visa for Non-US Passport Holders Required

When you are travelling to France with a Non-US Passport, a Business Visa is required.

TDS is unable to assist at this time.

An appointment to make a personal appearance at the Embassy or Consulate General is required.

Get a Student Visa for France

France issues Student visas for:
  • Study Visa
  • •
  • Student Visa

France Student Visa for US Passport Holders Not Required

When you are travelling to France with a U.S. Passport, a Student Visa is not required.

No visa required for a stay of up to 90 days, if staying over 90 days check travel recommendations below.

Check travel recommendations

France Student Visa for Non-US Passport Holders Required

When you are travelling to France with a Non-US Passport, a Student Visa is required.

Get My Student Visa

Get a Diplomatic Visa for France

France issues Diplomatic visas for:
  • Official or Diplomatic Government Travel

France Diplomatic Visa for US Passport Holders Required

When you are travelling to France with a U.S. Passport, a Diplomatic Visa is required.

TDS is unable to assist at this time.

An appointment to make a personal appearance at the Embassy or Consulate General is required.

Check travel recommendations

France Diplomatic Visa for Non-US Passport Holders Required

When you are travelling to France with a Non-US Passport, a Diplomatic Visa is required.

TDS is unable to assist at this time.

An appointment to make a personal appearance at the Embassy or Consulate General is required.

Travel Information

Get the most up-to-date information for France related to French travel visas, French visa requirements and applications, embassy and consulate addresses, foreign relations information, travel advisories, entry and exit restrictions, and travel tips from the US State Department's website.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations required.

While no vaccinations may be required to enter the country, you should still check with the CDC on their recommended vaccinations for travel to France

Get more health information for travelers to France:

About France

Read about the people, history, government, economy and geography of France at the CIA's World FactBook.

A Brief History of France

France was one of the earliest countries to progress from feudalism to the nation-state. Its monarchs surrounded themselves with capable ministers, and French armies were among the most innovative, disciplined, and professional of their day. During the reign of Louis XIV (1643-1715), France was the dominant power in Europe. But overly ambitious projects and military campaigns of Louis and his successors led to chronic financial problems in the 18th Century. Deteriorating economic conditions and popular resentment against the complicated system of privileges granted the nobility and clerics were among the principal causes of the French Revolution (1789-94). Although the revolutionaries advocated republican and egalitarian principles of government, France reverted to forms of absolute rule or constitutional monarchy four times--the Empire of Napoleon, the Restoration of Louis XVIII, the reign of Louis-Philippe, and the Second Empire of Napoleon III. After the Franco-Prussian War (1870), the Third Republic was established and lasted until the military defeat of 1940.

World War I (1914-18) brought great losses of troops and materiel. In the 1920s, France established an elaborate system of border defenses (the Maginot Line) and alliances to offset resurgent German strength. France was defeated early in World War II, however, and was occupied in June 1940. In July, the country was divided into two: one section being ruled directly by the Germans, and a second controlled by the French ("Vichy" France) and which the Germans did not occupy. German and Italian forces occupied all of France, including the "Vichy" zone, following the Allied invasion of North Africa in November 1942. The "Vichy" government largely acquiesced to German plans, namely in the plunder of French resources and the forceful deportations of tens of thousands of French Jews living in France to concentration camps across Europe, and was even more completely under German control following the German military occupation of November 1942. Economically, a full one-half of France's public sector revenue was appropriated by Germany. After 4 years of occupation and strife, Allied forces liberated France in 1944.

France emerged from World War II to face a series of new problems. After a short period of provisional government initially led by Gen. Charles de Gaulle, the Fourth Republic was set up by a new constitution and established as a parliamentary form of government controlled by a series of coalitions. The mixed nature of the coalitions and a consequent lack of agreement on measures for dealing with Indochina and Algeria caused successive cabinet crises and changes of government.


Learn more about France in our World Atlas