United States
France
France visa for US citizens
Entry requirement
US citizens can visit France without a visa for 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 franceintheus.org
For longer stays: study, work and residence
France: visa decisions in the United States
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 50,054 | 47,575 | 1,888 | 3.5% | 31.3% |
| 2024 | 61,152 | 58,401 | 2,039 | 3.1% | 35.6% |
| 2025 | 54,021 | 51,134 | 2,377 | 4.2% | 25.0% |
In 2025, France’s embassy and consulates in the United States (Washington D.C.) received 54,021 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 51,134. 4.2% of applications were refused. In 2024 the rate was much the same, 3.1%. Applications fell by 12% compared with 2024 (61,152).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 4.9% of the applications lodged in the United States that year, from 0.4% at the consulates of Greece to 20.5% at those of Sweden. France’s consulates worldwide refused 14.2%. France was the most applied-for Schengen state in the United States.
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 the United States, 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 the United States
FranceUnited States Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) United States 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.
US citizens planning a trip to France can compare how foreign ministries rate it: 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).
Good to know
How long US citizens can stay in France
US 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 US 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 US citizens
Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Andorra, Monaco and Spain admit US citizens visa-free.
French citizens travelling to the United States
Before flying to the United States, French citizens must obtain an ETA online; stays of up to 90 days are allowed.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa for France?
US citizens can visit France without a visa for up to 90 days.
How long can US citizens stay in France?
US 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 the United States?
Before flying to the United States, French citizens must obtain an ETA online; stays of up to 90 days are allowed.
Can US citizens enter France visa-free?
Yes, US 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.