France Visa For US: Do I Need A Visa 2023?

Yes, US Greencard holders, also known as US permanent residents, need a visa to travel to France unless they also have a passport from a visa-exempt country. 

The Greencard doesn't grant visa-free access to Schengen countries, including France. Therefore, a US Greencard holder must apply for a Schengen visa at a French consulate or embassy before traveling. 

While many can travel to France without a visa, some nationalities must secure one. Let's delve into the visa requirements based on different citizenships:

EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals: Citizens from the European Union, European Economic Area, or Switzerland enjoy visa-free entry to France. No need for a Schengen visa France from USA for these nationals.

US Citizens: US citizens can visit France visa-free for up to 90 days. If planning a longer stay, a different visa type is needed.

US Green Card Holders: Your need for a Schengen visa France from USA is based on your passport's nationality. Those requiring a visa can approach the French Embassy or Consulate in the US. If you are in the US on a B1/B2 visa, you must apply for the Schengen Visa from your home country.

Non-EU Nationals: Non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss citizens must obtain a France Schengen Visa. Applications can be made at the nearest French Embassy. 

1

Start your grand European adventure by inputting information into the Atlys app.

2

Our expert concierge will promptly get in touch.

3

We analyze your trip details, considering your European stops, place of residence, professional history, and a snapshot of your passport's front page.

4

Atlys proactively sources the best Schengen visa time slot for you and books a visa appointment aligned with your schedule.

5

We provide a comprehensive checklist to ensure you're travel-ready.

6

Attend your visa appointment.

7

Afterwards, we eagerly wait for the visa approval from the relevant authorities.

Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date from the Schengen Area. It's advisable to have a longer validity to account for any unplanned extensions of your trip.

Issuance Date: The passport should have been issued within the last 10 years. This rule is particularly essential for travellers with older passports that still have significant validity left.

Blank Pages: Your passport should have at least two blank pages. These pages are typically used for visa stickers and entry/exit stamps.

Undamaged: The passport should be in good condition. Any significant wear, tears, or damage, especially to the biodata page, might result in travel issues or denial of entry.

Previous Visas: If you have prior Schengen visas in an old passport and you've since gotten a new one, it's advisable to carry both passports if the older one contains visas that might still be valid or demonstrate your travel history.

Size: 35mm width x 45mm height.

Face Size: 32mm to 36mm from chin to hair top.

Background: Light grey or pale blue, plain.

Quality: High-resolution, no under/overexposure.

Head: Centered, squared with the camera.

Expression: Neutral, mouth closed.

Eyes: 26mm to 30mm from the photo's bottom.

Glasses: No reflections or tinted lenses.

Headgear: Allowed for religious reasons, face visible.

Visit the France-Visas webpage to determine whether you require a visa and the associated fee based on your nationality.

Booking a visa appointment as soon as possible is critical. In some cases, you can wait up to 12 months for an appointment. This is how you can start the process of booking a visa appointment.

Create an account on the platform.

Upon account creation, you'll receive a list of necessary supporting documents and the option to schedule your visa appointment.

The France Tourist Visa, also known as the short-stay or Schengen Visa, permits visits to France for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for leisure or short business trips. This visa also allows travel to other Schengen countries. 

If visiting multiple Schengen nations, include your itinerary in the visa application. For extended stays in France, consider applying for a long-stay visa.

For a Schengen Visa application, you should apply in the country where you'll spend the majority of your visit. 

If your stay is split evenly between multiple countries, apply in the country you'll enter the Schengen Zone first.

If your stay is split unevenly, apply in the country you will be visiting for the longest.

NOTE: You are only allowed to visit the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.

France forms part of the Schengen Area, so you must apply for a French Schengen Visa. Apart from entry into France, a French Schengen Visa grants access to all 27 European countries in the Schengen Zone.

These Countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.