How Long Does It Take To Get A Schengen Visa
France Schengen Visa Processing Time. In this post you'll find some helpful tips you can use when you start your next Schengen Visa Application process.
Mar 1, 2023
8 min read
France is back to becoming a lively and vibrant country as the French Government continues to relax the rules and regulations around the coronavirus pandemic. Soon tourists will be flocking to Paris to enjoy the night lights and go to the vineyard for the famous French wines.
Though France is relaxing many of its rules, many are still in place. In addition, the French Government also has many other requirements for visitors coming from non-EU countries. Hence, I have made this blog to assist you in understanding these rules and regulations in depth.
Let us begin with the travel advisory on France for US citizens:
Passengers coming from the non-European Member states might require to get a valid visa pertaining to their purpose in France. However, this blog will focus only on US citizens who wish to visit the country.
Upon arriving in France, you will be subjected to the regulations you must oblige. Moreover, France currently has restrictions for countries with a high level of covid19 cases. Therefore, we will first discuss whether US citizens require a visa, the requirement and as we go further in the blog, we will look at the covid19 requirements.
Like many other countries in Europe, France does not require US citizens to get a visa before arriving. Therefore, US citizens can travel visa-free into France for a short stay for tourism, business, or to visit friends and family.
Upon arriving in France, the US citizens must provide the required documents to the border officer to gain access to the country. Additionally, the list of required documents is short and can be obtained easily.
However, US citizens must meet some requirements before allowing entry into the country. If the US citizens meet these requirements, they can stay visa-free for a short period in the country. On the other hand, if US citizens do not meet these requirements, they can be denied entry into France.
Note: US citizens who wish to work, study, or visit France for any other purpose mentioned above must get a relevant visa from the Embassy of France in The US.
If a US green cardholder wishes to enter France or the Schengen area, they must first check the eligibility. Unfortunately, not all US green cardholders will have the same benefits as US-born citizens or US passport holders.
US green card holders from countries exempt from a Schengen Visa can visit France visa-free. However, other US green card holders from countries that require a visa to enter the Schengen area must acquire a tourist visa to visit France.
Since France is a Schengen Country, It would be helpful to check our detailed bog on the Schengen Visa Requirements.
US green card holders who wish to apply for their Schengen Visa can do so quickly and hassle-free on Atlys.
US citizens must provide all the required documents at the port of entry to ensure a smooth and expedited immigration process. If you are short of any of these documents, you might be questioned by the immigration office or, in some cases, even denied entry into France.
As I mentioned earlier, obtaining these documents should not be difficult. To ensure further ease during the immigration process, have printouts of your documents with you. It would be best to keep your files and travel documents on your mobile phone.
The following documents are required upon arriving in France:
ETIAS, or European Travel Information and Authorization System, is a visa waiver program for the Schengen Countries. Currently, it is not a requirement; however, it will be implemented in November 2023. After that, ETIAS will be mandatory for all visa-exempt countries to get the travel authorization.
Check out our in-depth blog on ETIAS and the requirements for more information.
Currently, most travel restrictions in France are due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, after the spread of the Omicron Virus, French Government introduced stricter regulations and classified the countries as “Green list countries” and “Orange countries.”
Green list countries have a moderate level of covid19 infections, whereas the orange list countries have a higher level of covid19 spread. Additionally, the covid19 restrictions differ for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers visiting the country.
While you are in France, you must download the Tous Covid App, which allows you to store your vaccination certificate, negative test, or recovery certificate.
NOTE: The French health pass (vaccine pass, pass vaccinal, pass sanitaire) is no longer required.
Upon arriving at France’s borders, including air, sea, or land, you must oblige to the administrative procedures. At the border control, you will be required to show all the necessary documents to the immigration officer. The immigration officer will verify the authenticity of the travel documents presented.
The immigration officer will then grant the traveler entry into France by stamping their passport. The passport stamp will declare your entrance into France. If the immigration officer gives you a date before which you must leave the country, then you must abide by it.
US citizens can stay up to 90 days in France visa-free. However, the number of days you can stay legally in France is determined by the visa stamp on your passport. This time period is decided by the immigration officer at the port of entry, such as the international airport.
US citizens must check their visa stamps and leave the Schengen area before the expiry date on the visa. If you overstay the validity of your visa, you could face legal consequences and can be denied future entry into France.
If US citizens wish to stay for a more extended period, they must get a visa that allows it. Additionally, you cannot remain within the Schengen area, including France, for over 90 days in 180-day periods or your visa’s validity period. You can read our informative blog on 90/180 rule for the Schengen area.
You can also use an unofficial online calculator to check the maximum period you can stay in the Schengen Area.
Do not forget to check our other dedicated post on the Schengen Area for more updates and information.
Disclaimer: The rules and regulations related to the coronavirus pandemic are subject to change without prior notice. To ensure that you get the latest news, you must check out our travel page on Atlys.
More countries are continuously added to the list as new rules are implemented. These are the member states of the European Union, South Africa, Angola, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Korea South, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Djibouti, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ecuador, Eswatini, United States of America, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Honduras, Hong Kong , Mauritius, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria , New Zealand, Oman, Uganda, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, The Philippines, Qatar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, El Salvador, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sudan, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Chad, East Timor, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Ensure that you have the latest updates by checking the comprehensive list of countries HERE.
You can check the Orange List Countries here. The travelers from these countries must provide proof of vaccination, a sworn statement that they do not have symptoms of Ccovid19, fill out the form requesting entry and a compelling reason to enter Metropolitan France.
In France, Janssen or Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria or Covishield) are accepted. Additionally, vaccines fitting with the European Medicines Agency and European Union vaccine regulations are also accepted.
You must wear a mask in indoor areas such as public transportation, malls, and shops.
If you test positive or exhibit symptoms of covid19 in France, you must self-isolate per the recommendations of the public health insurance authority.
Non-US citizens or travelers from a country requiring a visa can read our dedicated blog about the French tourist visa or check out the Schengen Visa Requirements.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you must have the following documents when arriving in the US:
Yes. France is a Schengen Country. You can check the list of countries in Europe and the Schengen countries here.
You can check the list of US embassies in France HERE.