ETIAS France visa for U.S. citizens
Citizens of the United States will be required to present an ETIAS visa when travelling to France. ETIAS permit can be obtained online, by filling out the ETIAS application form online and receiving your permit via e-mail when the application is approved.
What is ETIAS France for U.S. citizens?
ETIAS permit will come into force in 2023, as part of a European Commission program aimed at strengthening European borders and keeping a digital track on all people travelling to the European Schengen Area. This program was already approved in 2016, after the terrorist attacks that affected some European countries. During the last years, data sharing between countries in the European Union was expanded, and this allowed for the creation of the ETIAS visa system, that connects the applications for ETIAS permit with already existing databases.
How does the ETIAS France permit work for U.S. citizens
From November 2023 American citizens must present an ETIAS visa before embarking on a trip to France. But if the trip has other purposes than those provided for ETIAS, or it will be longer than 90 days, they will have to obtain a full visitor Schengen permit, at the embassy or consulate of France, respecting requirements and timing for the visa they are applying for.
ETIAS destination countries for U.S. citizens
Starting from November 2023 ETIAS visa will come into force for Americans in order to travel to the following countries:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
At the time being, U.S. citizens are not required to obtain ETIAS to enter Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania, since these countries are currently not Schengen Area members. However, these countries may enter the Schengen Area in the future, so please keep updated with the requirements.
ETIAS permit requirements for Americans and how to apply
To apply for ETIAS, you will need to be a U.S. citizen and hold a valid electronic passport issued by the United States of America. If you are not entitled to an U.S. passport, you will have to apply for a Schengen visa. ETIAS visa application can be completed online, entering all required information by following the required steps, and making sure all the data is entered correctly. Once this is done, you will also have to pay a fee of 7 euros, applicable to all citizens between 18 and 70 years old, using a credit or debit card. Typically, most ETIAS permits are issued within few minutes, or at most in a few hours, and you will receive the approved ETIAS visa via e-mail as a PDF file.
How much does the ETIAS France visa cost for American citizens
The ETIAS application for Americans has a cost of 7 euros for all citizens between 18 and 70 years old, which has to be paid at the end of the online application procedure, using a credit or debit card. Citizens under 18 and over 70 years of age are entitled to apply for ETIAS free of charge.
About France
France is a country located in Europe, bordered by the English Channel, the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, and the North Sea. Sharing maritime borders with the United Kingdom, France has land borders with Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain and Andorra, and Switzerland.
Metropolitan France has an area of 551,500 sq. km but combined with its overseas territories it has a total area of 643,801 sq. km. The population of Metropolitan France is 64.2 million people, and the total population of France including its overseas territories is 66.3 million people.
France’s overseas territories are French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion. Major other dependencies are French Polynesia and New Caledonia.
The official language is French, and the largest and capital city is Paris. Christianity is a major religion.
France is among the most important nations in the Western world. The largest country in Western Europe, France serves as a gateway between the north and south of Europe. One of the world’s leading industrial powers, France is also Europe’s most important agricultural producer.
With wide plains dominating the north and west of the country, beautiful beaches on the south-east coast, towering mountains in the east and south, and the large forested plateau of the Massif Central occupying the southern interior, France has a truly diverse landscape.
France at a glance
Capital: Paris
Timezone: UTC/GMT +1 hour
Languages: French 100%
Area: 547,030 KM2
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Population: 64,768,389
Calling Code: +33
Travel in France
More than half of France’s territory is covered by countryside or farmland while 25% is covered by forest. The land provides habitats for a wide variety of animals and plants.
The Mediterranean coastline is well known as a resting point for migrating African birds; these include bee-eaters, egrets, flamingos, and vultures.
The woodlands of the Pyrenees and the Alps provide homes for alpine hares, brown bears, ibex and rare chamois antelope, whilst the low lying forests are home to deer and wild boar.
The most popular tourist sites in France include
- The Eiffel Tower
- Château de Versailles
- Muséum national d’Histoire Naturelle
- Pont du Gard
- Mont Saint-Michel
The most popular theme park in Europe is Disneyland Paris.
The French Riviera is the second most visited region in France after Paris, it has 115 km of beaches and coastline and enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year.
Renowned as one of the finest in the world, French cuisine is also recognized as being part of the attractiveness of France and a key element towards the quality of life in France.
France has a highly regarded wine and champagne making tradition and is also a major producer of rum and beer.
The US and France
Historically, France and the U.S. enjoy a good relationship and share common values. 520,000 Americans are employed by French multinational companies, and 750,000 French are employed by American multinational companies. The two countries share a close economic relationship
The U.S. and France both belong to the following organizations
- The United Nations
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council
- Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
- G-20
- G-7
- Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
- International Monetary Fund
- World Bank
- World Trade Organization
France is also an observer to the Organization of American States.
Travel to France from America and the rest of the world is fairly straightforward, with many flights, trains, buses, and ferries. The fastest non-stop flight to France from the U.S. is almost 9 hours in duration. Once visitors arrive in France, the rest of the capital cities of Europe are all within close proximity.
The U.S.A. is a country whose citizens do not need to have a visa for entry to Europe. With the introduction of the ETIAS scheme in 2021, they will need to have an ETIAS electronically attached to their passport prior to departure for Europe.
FAQ about ETIAS France
List of US diplomatic offices in France
The Embassy of USA in Paris, France
Address: 2 avenue Gabriel 75008 Paris France
Phone: (33) 1 42 66 97 83
Fax: [33] 1 42669783
Facts: Jamie D. McCourt – Ambassador
Consulate of USA in Bordeaux, France
Address: 89 Quai des Chartrons 33300 Bordeaux
Phone: (33) 1 43 12 48 65
Fax: (33 ) 5 56 51 61 97
Email: usabordeaux@state.gov
Consulate of USA in Lyon, France
Address: 1, quai Jules Courmont, 69002 Lyon
Phone: (33) 1 43 12 48 60
Fax: (33) 4 72 41 71 81
Email: usalyon@state.gov
Consulate of USA in Marseille, France
Address: Place Varian Fry 13006 Marseille
Phone: +(33) 1 43 12 48 85
Fax: (33) 4 91 55 56 95
The Embassy of France in Washington, USA
Address: 4101 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, D.C. – 20007
Phone: + 1 (202) 944 6000
Facts: Gérard Araud – Ambassador
Consulate of France in New York, USA
Address: 934 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10021
Phone: (212) 606-3600
Email: chancellerie@consulfrance-newyork.org
Consulate of France in Los Angeles, USA
Address: 10390 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 410 Los Angeles, CA 90025 – USA
Phone: (310) 625-9713
Email: ecn.los-angeles-fslt@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Consulate of France in Miami, USA
Address: 2445 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, FL, 33022-2480
Phone: (954) 925.1100
Fax: (954) 925.1101
Email: office@austrianconsulatemiami.com