France
Western Europe · Schengen area
Do US citizens need a visa? No — up to 90 days
US citizens do not need a visa for short stays (tourism/business) up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. ETIAS authorization will be required in future but is not yet in force.
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Fees & exemptions
- Adult (standard)€90
- Child 6–11Reduced€45
- Child under 6FreeFree
- Family member of EU/EEA/CH citizenFree
Directive 2004/38/EC — fee waived with proof of relationship.
Free
Visa fee charged in USD, payable by credit/debit card (Visa/Mastercard) only; separate non-refundable TLScontact service fee applies. See TLS fee page for exact amounts.
Where to apply
TLScontact Visa Application Centre (10 US centres); decisions made by the French Consulate in Washington DC
Appointment system
Book online via visas-fr.tlscontact.com; apply at least 15 days before departure for short-stay visa; up to 6 months in advance.
Required documents
- France-Visas online application form printed and signed
- Valid passport
- Photo
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of financial means
- Travel medical insurance (Schengen, min €30,000)
- Proof of travel/round-trip itinerary
Editor tips
US citizens do not need this visa for tourism up to 90 days; this applies mainly to non-US-citizen residents of the US or longer stays. Complete online application on France-Visas first, then submit in person at a TLScontact centre.
Country-specific quirks
Only the French Consulate in Washington DC makes visa decisions nationwide; TLScontact centres are submission points only.
Who can apply where
Your nationality decides whether you need a visa; where you legally live decides where you apply. Applications for France are handled by its embassy, consulate or visa centre covering your country of residence — you cannot normally apply in a country you are only visiting.
- If you are not a citizen of the country you apply from, bring your residence permit or long-stay visa — it usually has to stay valid for at least 3 months after your return.
- Visiting several Schengen countries? Apply to your main destination, or — if you split time evenly — to the country you enter first.
- Some passports are visa-exempt for short stays and only need ETIAS travel authorisation instead of a visa; long-stay and work permits are still required for everyone.
- Fees, document lists and appointment systems are set per consulate, so the local France mission for your region always overrides anything on this page.
Where to submit if you apply from the US
Addresses where applicants of any nationality living in the United States hand in France visa documents and give biometrics. Applying from elsewhere? Use the official links below to find the France mission covering your country of residence.
- AtlantaTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (Atlanta)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - BostonTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (Boston)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - ChicagoTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (Chicago)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - HoustonTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (Houston)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - Los AngelesTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (Los Angeles)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - MiamiTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (Miami)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - New YorkTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (New York)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - San FranciscoTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (San Francisco)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - SeattleTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (Seattle)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - WashingtonTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (Washington)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page
Always cross-check requirements on the official page for your jurisdiction — details can vary by country of residence.
Where to apply
TLScontact Visa Application Centre (10 US centres); decisions made by the French Consulate in Washington DC
Appointment system
Book online via visas-fr.tlscontact.com; apply at least 15 days before departure for short-stay visa; up to 6 months in advance.
Who can apply where
Your nationality decides whether you need a visa; where you legally live decides where you apply. Applications for France are handled by its embassy, consulate or visa centre covering your country of residence.
Applicants of any nationality living in the United States hand in France visa documents and give biometrics at these addresses.
- AtlantaTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (Atlanta)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - BostonTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (Boston)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - ChicagoTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (Chicago)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - HoustonTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (Houston)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - Los AngelesTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (Los Angeles)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - MiamiTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (Miami)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - New YorkTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (New York)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - San FranciscoTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (San Francisco)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - SeattleTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (Seattle)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page - WashingtonTLScontactFrance Visa Application Centre - TLScontact (Washington)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Applications examined by the French Consulate in Washington DC; TLScontact centres handle reception/submission only.
Official page
Book your travel to use for supporting documents for France
Most consulates ask for a flight itinerary and confirmed accommodation. Search Paris and attach the confirmations to your application.
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