Details about Visa for France

IMMIGRATION AND VISAS

Passport Requirements:

All travelers need a passport, except for the following:

1. Travelers with any document proving nationality
2. Issued to citizens of San Marino, Switzerland, and the Member States of the European Economic Region except for Denmark, Iceland, the Republic of Ireland, Norway, and the United Kingdom).
3. Travelers with an Identification Card issued that they only fly to the St. Pierre and Miquelon Islands and stay for no more than 15 days are residents of Canada and the United States of America.
4. According to the Dublin Convention of 1990, ‘Laissez Passer’ is valid only for the transfer of travelers described in it. Travelers with a ‘Laissez-Passer,’ issued by.
5. ‘Laissez Passer’ travelers released by the United Nations.
6. As long as they are traveling on service, travelers with a Seaman Book are issued: To Citizens of Algeria, Angola, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Chile, Benin, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Fiji, Finland, Brazil, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Djibouti, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Hongkong and Macau, Iceland, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, St. Lucia, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, USA, Ukraine, UK, Uruguay, Yemen, and Zambia.
7. Travelers with a ‘Titre de Voyage’ travel document for refugees under the 1946 London Convention or the 1951 Geneva Convention, or individuals without nationality or citizenship under the 1954 New York Convention.
8. Travelers with travel documents and residency permits issued to accepted refugees by the Member States of the European Economic Region and Switzerland, and individuals without nationality or citizenship.
9. Travelers with travel documents given to permanent residents of Kosovo by the United Nations interim administration in Kosovo.

Documents Validity:

On arrival, passports and alternative documents, or any of them, must be valid.

a. An expired passport issued to citizens of Austria, Belgium, France, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, or Switzerland for a period of no more than five years is recognized.

b. Expired passports granted to citizens of Germany for no more than one year are accepted.

Additional Information:

1. Students in a European Union member country do not need a passport if they are traveling with a school group from within the EU. They must travel with a ‘List of Travelers’ stamped by the school and certified by the concerned authority in charge in their home country. The exemption will NOT apply to the ‘ list that is only stamped by a school without photos.
2. French children aged less than 18 years old are subject to special rules when departing from France. Children aged more than seven years old traveling on a parent’s passport must have a photo of their parent. French children residing in France and included in parents’ non-French passports must also have an identity document. This also applies when they travel to French overseas Departments or Territories and vice versa, except for French Guiana and French West Indies.
3. Foreign children aged 17 years old or younger may be included in their parent’s passport. They must have a ‘Travel Document for Foreign Children’ when traveling abroad.

Information to Know:

On March 26, 1995, the Schengen agreement became effective. It removed immigration restrictions on travel inside all the territories of signing member countries. This resulted in the emergence of a borderless region known as the ‘Schengen Area’ Travelers who require a visa for one or more Schengen states to which they are ticked always need a visa. Travelers arriving at Basle or Geneva airports can enter either France or Switzerland so long as they have the proper documents for the country of entry. Both airports have two different exit gates, one to France and the other to Switzerland. The airport of Basle is located on French territory, so all travelers transiting France on their way to Geneva or Basle must have the necessary documents for entry into France. All Air France (AF), EasyJet, and Flybaboo (F7) flights running between France and Geneva are considered as French internal flights. All Travelers to Basle and Geneva must have proper entry documents for their destination.

Issuance of Visa:

Until arrival: Travelers are kindly asked to contact France’s nearest representative.

Exemptions from Visa:

A visa must be carried by all travelers except for the following:

1. France and Monaco citizens.
2. Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Austria, Czech, Germany, and Switzerland.
3. ‘British Resident’ was supported by British passport travelers.
4. Travelers with a stay of no more than three months:
5. Citizens of Andorra, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Vatican City, St. Kitts-Nevis, Uruguay, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Brazil, and Venezuela;
6. Travelers with licensed British passports: Travelers with British passports supported by the mark “right of residency” issued by Great Britain, or “British Overseas Territories Resident.” British Matter,’ which also includes the ‘right of residency’ mark provided by the United Kingdom.
7. ‘British National (Overseas)’ authorized by travelers with British passports.
8. Travelers with passports issued by Hong Kong (China Special Administrative Region) or Macao (China Special Administrative Region).
9. Turkey’s people with consular, diplomatic, official, or special passports.
10. People of Israel and the U.S. with regular passports.
11. People with consular or diplomatic passports of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Gabon, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia.
12. South African residents with official or diplomatic passports.
13. Bolivian people with consular, diplomatic, or service passports.
14. Diplomatic passports of residents of Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, the Republic of Serbia, Ukraine, and Vietnam.
15. Ecuadorian people with diplomatic, official, or service passports.
16. Citizens of the United Arab Emirates with diplomatic or special passports.
17. Citizens of Oman and Peru with diplomatic, service, or special passports.
18. Travelers with a ‘Laissez Passer’ issued by the European Union Commission.
19. Travelers with residence permits issued by one of the Schengen States, Andorra, or Monaco. Those traveling with a family member who is a citizen of a European Economic Area member country.
20. Travelers who are resident in Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Selected travel documents known as ‘Titre de Voyage’ have been issued to the following travelers, providing they reside in.
21. Global nationals with a valid residency permit from France, French Guiana, French West Indies, and Reunion; Instead of a residence permit, issuance of an application for a residence permit held by travelers applying for residence in France will no longer be approved.
22. Travelers, irrespective of their nationality, residing for a time not exceeding five days in Liechtenstein and carrying evidence of their residency, provided that they are in transit through the Schengen Area and begin their journey to a country outside the Schengen Area other than the means of transport.

(Transit without Visa) TWOV:

TWOV is allowed to encourage travelers to continue their journey to a third country by the same or connecting aircraft, provided that they arrive and depart for non-Schengen countries and do not leave the transit area of the airport.

1. For travelers with a Seaman Book, TWOV is permissible, given that they need a visa even when they are in direct transit and are citizens of Cuba.
2. TWOV is allowed for travelers with a visa issued to a country in the European Economic Region, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, or the USA.
3. TWOV is not appropriate for travelers who are not included in any of the above-mentioned exemptions and who need a visa even when they are in direct airside transit.
4. TWOV is permitted for travelers with a residence permit issued to Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, the Republic of Ireland, Japan, Romania, San Marino, USA, the United Kingdom, or the Vatican City.
5. In some countries are TWOV is permissible for travelers with diplomatic, official, or service passports provided.
6. For citizens of Russia with a regular passport, TWOV is not permitted if they come directly from Belarus, Egypt, the Republic of Moldova, Turkey, or Ukraine.

Additional Information:

• Schengen visas are valid for French Guiana, French West Indies, and Reunion. All travelers must have proof of return, such as onward or return ticket.
• Students, apart from their nationality, residing in a European Union member country and traveling as part of a school group from within the EU, do not need a visa.
• All travelers arriving from Swine flu (H1N1) affected countries must fill in a Location Card.

Information to know:

Travelers who do not comply with the rules on entry or transit are subject to penalties of up to EUR 5,000.

Customs and Foreign Exchange:

Important Regulations:

French Overseas Departments of Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, and Reunion allow the free import of certain goods.

Travelers aged 17 years old and more are allowed 800 cigarettes; 400-cigarillos each weighing no more than three grams; 200-cigars. Travelers arriving from non-European Union countries, including the Canary Islands, Channel Islands, and other similar regions, are allowed free import of 200 cigarettes; 100-cigars; 100-cigarillo, each weighing No more than 3 grams.  Ten liters of alcoholic drinks over 22%; 20 liters of. Alcoholic drinks less than 22%; 90-liters of wine but no more than 60-liters of sparkling wine; 110-litres of beer. Air travelers are allowed other goods up to a total value of EUR 430 per adult travelers or EUR 90 per travelers aged less than 15 years. The following goods are allowed except if listed under ‘Customs —.

Information to know:

Gold must be declared except for personal jewellery of no more than the total weight of 500-grammes. Animal products, not coming from an EU member country. Small quantities from Andorra, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Croatia, and small quantities from other countries.

Export regulations:

Gold must be declared except for personal jewelry of no more than a total weight of 500-grammes provided it is for personal use.

Crew member’s customs regulations:

• Crew members are allowed free import of the following: 50-grams of tobacco, 10-cigars, 20-cigarillos, or 40-cigarettes. Personal and non-commercial goods may not exceed a total value of EUR 45.73. Crew member’s customs regulations are published in the official journal of the customs service.
• Distilled alcoholic drinks or spirits: A quarter of a liter over 22% proof. 7.5 grams of perfume and 0.375 decilitres of eau de toilette. 20g of tea or 8 grams of tea extract or tea essence and 100g of coffee or 40 grams of coffee extracts or coffee essence.

Pets:

Pets traveling between metropolitan France, French Overseas Departments, French Overseas Territories, or transit travelers leaving the airport are subject to the rules set out below.

• A special regulation (EC no. 998/2003) of the European Parliament and of the European Council refers to cats and dogs.

Exceptions:

a. Cats, dogs, and ferrets taken to Corsica from Continental France do not need a rabies vaccination certificate.

b. Cats and dogs originating in Great Britain do not need a rabies vaccination certificate if they are followed by:

• a certificate of health given ten days or less prior to shipment; and
• A certificate is specifying that the pet has lived in the United Kingdom for at least six months from birth or prior to shipment.

c. Rabies virus neutralizing blood tests are not needed for animals from the following countries: Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Ascension Islands, Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Croatia, Falkland Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Mauritius, Mayotte, Monaco, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Singapore, St. Helena, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Pierre & Miquelon, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Switzerland, United States of America, Vanuatu, Vatican City, and Wallis Islands & Futuna Islands.

Pet Animals Prohibited:

• The following breeds deemed dangerous (Category 1) are prohibited: any dog belonging to the Staffordshire terrier-type (without bloodline), American Staffordshire terrier (without bloodline), Pitbulls, Mastiff (Boer bulls), Tosa (without bloodline). Breeds classed as Guard Dogs (Category 2) can be imported into France with a bloodline: Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, Rottweiler, American Staffordshire terrier, and every sort of dog known as a Rottweiler without a bloodline, Tosa. Travelers are advised to contact the French Embassy or Consulate with regard to the special rules needed for imports of breeds of category 2; they should also contact the carrier for any rules relating to the transport of such breeds.
• It is forbidden for puppies and kittens under three months of age. No more than three animals are allowed if they are older than three months, given that only one of them can be a puppy or a kitten. Each family is permitted no more than five animals if they come from the United States of America. Every animal must be at least 3 months old. Otherwise, the mother must move with it.

Birds:

Two parrot birds and ten other small species of birds are permitted in each family. It is important to have, within ten days prior to arrival, a health certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian in the home country, indicating that the animal is free of any diseases.

Information to Know:

Animals brought in without the necessary documentation would either be returned to their country of origin or killed.

Regulations on Baggage Clearance:

In France, baggage can be cleared at any airport.

Waiver:

Luggage for travelers whose destination is outside France or who are in transit through ‘Charles de Gaulle’ or Orly Airport in Paris.

Charge on Airports:

On their departure from the airport, travelers are not required to pay any airport tax.

Laws of Currency:

For travelers coming from or traveling to a country within the European Union, there are no limits on importing and exporting local currency (Euro-EUR) and foreign currencies. As far as travelers coming directly from or commuting to a country outside the European Union are concerned, amounts greater than or equal to EUR 10,000 must be reported in another currency, including draughts of bankers and cheques of any sort.