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France, officially known as the French Republic, is a country located in Western Europe. Here are five important facts about France:

1. Rich Cultural Heritage: France is renowned for its rich cultural heritage. It is home to some of the world's most famous museums, art galleries, and historical landmarks. The Louvre Museum in Paris, with its iconic glass pyramid, houses thousands of works of art, including the Mona Lisa. France is also known for its exquisite cuisine, fashion industry, and influential literature.

2. Landmarks and Iconic Sites: France is famous for its iconic landmarks and sites. The Eiffel Tower, standing tall in the heart of Paris, is a symbol of France and attracts millions of visitors each year. The Palace of Versailles, with its opulent gardens and grand architecture, showcases the country's royal history. Other notable sites include the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Mont Saint-Michel, and the French Riviera.

3. Diverse Landscapes: France boasts a diverse range of landscapes, from the rolling vineyards of Bordeaux and Burgundy to the picturesque lavender fields of Provence. The country is home to stunning coastlines, such as the cliffs of Normandy and the beaches of the French Riviera. The French Alps offer breathtaking mountain views and are popular for skiing and hiking.

4. Strong Cultural Influence: France has had a significant impact on global culture. The French language is widely spoken and is considered the language of diplomacy and international affairs. French cinema has produced renowned filmmakers and influential films, and French literature has given rise to celebrated authors like Victor Hugo and Marcel Proust.

5. Historical Significance: France has a rich history, marked by significant events and revolutions. The French Revolution in the late 18th century played a pivotal role in shaping modern political ideals. World War I and World War II had a profound impact on the country, and France played a crucial role in European integration and the establishment of the European Union.

 

Immigration Details

To immigrate to France, there are various visa options available depending on your purpose of stay. Here are the main pathways and their requirements:

1. Short-Stay Visa (Schengen Visa):
- Purpose: This visa allows you to stay in France for up to 90 days for tourism, business, or family visits.
- Requirements: You will need to provide a completed visa application form, a valid passport, proof of travel insurance, and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.
- Duration: Up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

2. Long-Stay Visa (National Visa):
- Purpose: This visa is for individuals planning to stay in France for more than 90 days.
- Requirements: The requirements vary based on the specific purpose, such as work, study, family reunification, or entrepreneurship.
- Duration: The duration depends on the type of visa and your specific circumstances.

3. Work Visa:
- Purpose: This visa is for individuals who have a job offer or employment contract in France.
- Requirements: You will need a job offer from a French employer, proof of qualifications or professional experience, and a valid passport.
- Duration: The work visa is typically issued for the duration of your employment contract.

4. Business Visa:
- Purpose: This visa is for individuals who want to establish or invest in a business in France.
- Requirements: You will need to provide a business plan, proof of sufficient funds, and documentation related to the business establishment or investment.
- Duration: The business visa is usually issued for one year and can be renewed.

5. Student Visa:
- Purpose: This visa is for individuals who plan to study at recognized educational institutions in France.
- Requirements: You will need an acceptance letter from a French educational institution, proof of financial means to cover your studies, and a valid passport.
- Duration: The student visa is typically issued for the duration of your study program.

6. Family Reunification Visa:
- Purpose: This visa is for individuals who have family members residing in France and want to join them.
- Requirements: The requirements depend on the family relationship and can include proof of the family tie, accommodation arrangements, and financial means.
- Duration: The duration depends on the specific circumstances and the relationship to the family member.

7. Residence Permit:
- Purpose: The residence permit allows for long-term residency in France.
- Requirements: The requirements for a residence permit can vary depending on the specific type, such as work, family, or study. Generally, you need to meet certain criteria related to your purpose of stay.
- Duration: The duration of the residence permit varies based on the type of permit obtained.

8. Citizenship:
- Purpose: French citizenship provides full rights and benefits, including the ability to live and work in France.
- Requirements: The requirements for citizenship include residing in France for a certain period, knowledge of French language and culture, demonstrating integration into French society, and renouncing previous citizenship (in some cases).
- Duration: The citizenship application process can take several years.

Location
Rank
  • VISA-FREE
    160
  • DUAL CITIZENSHIP
  • POPULATION
    68,305,148
  • Time To Citizenship
    2
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Visa-Free Explain

Where Can French Passport Holders Travel Without a Visa?

As of June 2023, French passport holders can travel visa free to 160 countries and territories:

  • Albania
  • American Samoa
  • Andorra
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Aruba
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Bolivia
  • Caribbean Netherlands
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Cabo Verde
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Cook Islands
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Curaçao
  • Cyprus
  • Czechia
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Estonia
  • Falkland Islands
  • Faroe Islands
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • French Guiana
  • French Polynesia
  • French West Indies
  • Gabon
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Gibraltar
  • Greece
  • Greenland
  • Grenada
  • Guam
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Indonesia
  • Iraq
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kiribati
  • Kosovo
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Latvia
  • Lesotho
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritius
  • Mayotte
  • Mexico
  • Micronesia
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Montserrat
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Netherlands
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Niue
  • North Macedonia
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Palau
  • Palestine
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • Qatar
  • Réunion
  • Romania
  • Samoa
  • San Marino
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Seychelles
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Martin
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Suriname
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Thailand
  • Timor-Leste
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Tuvalu
  • Türkiye
  • United States Virgin Islands
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vanuatu
  • Vatican City
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
  • Zambia
  • Eswatini

For visa-free travels, you still must have a valid passport — usually six months after your departure date— and you must purchase travel health insurance as required by your destination country.

Where Can French Citizens Go Without a Passport?

French citizens can enter the following countries without a passport with only an ID card:

  • Albania
  • Andorra
  • Anguilla
  • Aruba
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Caribbean Netherlands
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Curaçao
  • Cyprus
  • Czechia
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Estonia
  • Faroe Islands
  • Finland
  • French Guiana
  • French Polynesia
  • French West Indies
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Gibraltar
  • Greece
  • Greenland
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Kosovo
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Mayotte
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Montenegro
  • Montserrat
  • Netherlands
  • New Caledonia
  • North Macedonia
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Réunion
  • Romania
  • Serbia
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Saint Martin
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Tunisia
  • Türkiye
  • Vatican City

What Countries Issue eVisa to French Citizens?

The following 10 countries issue eVisas for French passport holders:

  • Angola
  • Azerbaijan
  • Benin
  • Djibouti
  • Ethiopia
  • Guinea
  • India
  • Kenya
  • Myanmar
  • Uganda

The process of getting an eVisa is more or less the same as applying for a traditional visa. However, in this case, you don’t have to visit a visa application center— you can submit your application online, including the visa payment.

After your application is approved, you will receive an email confirming your visa status along with a document you must print out and bring with you when crossing the border. Your visa will be registered online, but some officers may ask you for a physical copy of the permit; that is why it’s important to keep the copy on your person while traveling.

What Countries Issue Visa on Arrival to French Passport Holders?

If you are a French citizen, you can get a visa on arrival for the 28 countries listed below:

  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cambodia
  • Comoros
  • Egypt
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Iran
  • Jordan
  • Kuwait
  • Laos
  • Lebanon
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Maldives
  • Mauritania
  • Nepal
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Rwanda
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • Saint Helena
  • Tanzania
  • Gambia
  • Togo
  • Zimbabwe

You receive a visa on arrival (VOA) after entering the country that issues such a visa. Usually, there is a separate section at the airport where you can submit your application for your visa on arrival.

Countries With Visa Requirements for French Citizens

You need a valid visa to enter the following 28 countries with a French passport:

  • Afghanistan
  • Algeria
  • Belarus
  • Bhutan
  • Cameroon
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • China
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Ivory Coast
  • Cuba
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Ghana
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Mali
  • Nauru
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • North Korea
  • Russia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Turkmenistan
  • Yemen
  1. Make an appointment at the visa center in France. You must contact a local visa application center in your home country and make an appointment to submit your application. It may take several months to schedule a meeting with the embassy or consulate.
  2. Get your documents ready. To submit a successful application, you have to prepare the required documents for your visa, i.e., passport, application form, health insurance, etc. Some of your documents must be verified with an apostille stamp or certified by a foreign office.
  3. Submit your application. Finally, you can submit your application and attend the visa interview—you may also be required to submit your biometrics. Once you translate your documents as required by the embassy or consulate and verify them with an apostille stamp— if possible, then you can submit your application. From then it will take several weeks until a decision is made regarding your visa application.

Please note that if you have a valid visa that allows you to enter more than one country, you don’t have to apply for a new visa.

What Documents Do French Citizens Need to Apply for a Visa?

French citizens that want to visit countries that require them to apply for a visa beforehand need to submit a few documents. Depending on the country you want to visit, document requirements may vary. However, most countries will certainly require the following:

  • Your valid French passport (plus a photocopy). Some countries require the passport to be valid for more than six months after the day you plan on departing their country.
  • A filled visa application form.
  • Passport pictures that are not older than six months.
  • Travel health insurance that covers your entire period of stay.
  • Proof of paid visa fee.
  • Detailed travel itinerary that shows all the places you want to visit.
  • Letter of invitation (if applicable)
  • Proof of booked return ticket for the flight home.
  • Proof of booked accommodation.
  • Proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your visit
  • Civil status documents (marriage papers, certificates of birth, etc.)
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