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Updated 27 August 2021

French cities have long attracted international attention for their beauty, culture, and friendly people. With a tourist visa, you too can be one with the Parisians, living out a fun french trip.

Planning a trip to France? Here’s all that you need to know about applying for a tourist visa to France.

Do I need a tourist visa to enter France?

In most cases, yes. There are only two types of exemptions for a French visa. The first is if you belong to an EU/EAA nation, in which case you fall under the Schengen agreement and need no visa.

In addition to EU/EAA nations, the following nations need no visa to visit France:

  • Andorra
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Bermuda
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • El Salvador
  • Guatemala
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Macao
  • Malaysia
  • Mexico
  • Monaco
  • Nicaragua
  • New Zealand
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • San Marino
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela

If you fall in neither category, you would need to apply for a three-month Schengen visa, which would allow you to visit France.

How long is the validity period of the tourist visa?

The validity period of the tourist visas are as follows:

  • Single-entry visa
  • Double-entry visa
  • Multiple-entry visa

All the above visas are valid for 90 days from the day of approval or the date of the first arrival, depending on your visa type.

How do I apply for France tourist visa?

  • Fill out an online application form on the government’s official website.
  • Book an appointment at the French embassy for document verification
  • Pay the fees, and wait for the approval.

What are the required documents?

  • Two copies of a Schengen visa application form.
  • Passport valid for 90 days post-departure to France
  • 3 1.4 by 1.7 inch (3.5 by 4.5 cm) passport photographs.
  • Your hotel or tour reservations and your departure and return flight information.
  • Proof of medical insurance coverage while you are traveling in France.
  • Original bank statements from the last three months show proof of funds while traveling in France.
  • Proof of residence in the region where you are applying. A utility bill and an identification card with that address listed may work as proof of residency.

What is the fee for the France tourist visa?

The visa application fee is a uniform 60 Euros for all sorts of tourist visas.