Japan
France
France visa for Japanese citizens
Entry requirement
No visa is needed by Japanese citizens for France, for stays of up to 90 days.
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Where to apply
- Nothing to apply for in advance
Checked 31 October 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at jp.ambafrance.org
For longer stays: study, work and residence
France: visa decisions in Japan
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,472 | 2,240 | 129 | 5.4% | 9.8% |
| 2024 | 4,003 | 3,711 | 170 | 4.4% | 26.4% |
| 2025 | 4,553 | 4,158 | 229 | 5.2% | 23.8% |
In 2025, France’s embassy and consulates in Japan (Tokyo) received 4,553 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 4,158. 5.2% of applications were refused. In 2024 the rate was much the same, 4.4%. Applications rose by 14% compared with 2024 (4,003).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 5.8% of the applications lodged in Japan that year, from 0.4% at the consulates of Austria to 11.7% at those of Germany. France’s consulates worldwide refused 14.2%. France was the most applied-for Schengen state in Japan.
You apply to the Schengen state that is your main destination (the longest stay or the main purpose; the state of first entry only when there is none), so a lower rate elsewhere is no reason to apply there. The figures cover applications lodged in Japan, by any nationality: mostly citizens, but also residents from other countries.
Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates 2023–2025 (© European Union, reused under CC BY 4.0). Short-stay (type C) visas. How these figures are made
French citizens travelling to Japan
FranceJapan Visa-free, 90 days Japan visa for citizens of France
Travel advice for France
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
For a trip from Japan to France, the published travel advice reads as follows: the US State Department rates France at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 20 October 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to France (updated 22 October 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for France (updated 28 October 2026). Each ministry writes for its own citizens.
Good to know
How long Japanese citizens can stay in France
Japanese citizens may stay in France for up to 90 days. Days in France count towards the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period across all member states.
France and the Schengen area
Visa-free stays of Japanese citizens in France count towards the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period, shared with every other member state.
France’s neighbours for Japanese citizens
Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Andorra, Monaco and Spain admit Japanese citizens visa-free.
French citizens travelling to Japan
French citizens do not need a visa for Japan: stays of up to 90 days are visa-free. The rule is the same in both directions between Japan and France.
Frequently asked questions
Do Japanese citizens need a visa for France?
No visa is needed by Japanese citizens for France, for stays of up to 90 days.
How long can Japanese citizens stay in France?
Japanese citizens can stay in France for up to 90 days, within the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180.
Do French citizens need a visa for Japan?
French citizens do not need a visa for Japan: stays of up to 90 days are visa-free.
Can Japanese citizens enter France visa-free?
Yes, Japanese citizens can enter France without a visa and stay for up to 90 days.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 31 October 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.