France passport → United States

Do French citizens need a visa for the United States?

Electronic travel authorisation (eTA)90 days

French passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) before travelling to the United States for up to 90 days. It is a short online application, not a full visa.

What this means for your trip

Apply only on the official government site; third-party sites charge extra.
Apply a few days before travel; most approvals are quick but some take longer.
The authorisation is linked to your passport. A new passport needs a new application.

Get trip-ready for the United States

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United States at a glance

Capital: Washington D.C.
Currency: United States dollar (USD)
Languages: English
Calling code: +1
Region: Northern America

Read the United States travel guide →

Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World.

US38.0°N · 97.0°WPhoto: This image or media was taken or created by Matt H. Wade. To · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

National parks, big cities and road trips between themGrand Canyon · New York City · Yosemite National Park

United States for other passports

FranceeTA90 days
IndiaVisa required
United KingdomeTA90 days
United Arab EmiratesVisa required
ChinaVisa required
SingaporeeTA90 days
PakistanVisa required
BangladeshVisa required
Sri LankaVisa required
NepalVisa required
NigeriaVisa required
PhilippinesVisa required
CanadaVisa-free180 days

Nearby in Northern America for French passport holders

CanadaVisa-free180 days

Common questions

Do French citizens need a visa for the United States?

French passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) before travelling to the United States for up to 90 days. It is a short online application, not a full visa.

How long can French citizens stay in the United States?

Up to 90 days under the current eta rule. Longer stays need a different visa.

Can French citizens get a visa on arrival in the United States?

Not under the standard rules.

How many countries can French citizens visit without a visa?

157 destinations allow entry without a visa arranged in advance (visa-free, visa on arrival or eTA). The France passport ranks #7 of 94 (passports with equal scores share a rank).

Source: Passport Index Data. Updated weekly. Rules can change, so give the official site a quick look before you fly.