1- The French overseas territories are as follows :

French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, New Caledonia and its dependancies, « Terres australes et antarctiques françaises(TAAF) », Mayotte, Saint Pierre et Miquelon.

Specific rules applies to go to these territories. The procedure takes around 20 days.

2- Do you need a visa to go there ?

 For a stay of a month or less, citizen from the following countries (see exceptions) do not need a visa ; they only need a passport valid for 3 months after the last day of their stay :

Argentina, Australia (no visa required up to 90 days in French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna and New Caledonia), Bolivia , Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, South Corea, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong-Kong * (titulaires du passeport de la Région administrative spéciale seulement), Japan, Macao* (titulaires du passeport de la Région administrative spéciale seulement), Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Singapore, Uruguay.

* Citizens from Hong-Kong and Macao need a visa to go to New Caledonia.

Citizens from other countries need a visa to go to these territories.

Exceptions :

a) Citizen from Australia, Brunei, Canada, South Corea, the United States, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico and Singapore need a visa if they intend to have paid employment.

b) American citizen need a visa even for less than a month, if :

 they intend to study ;

 they travel on an official mission with a diplomatic/official/ service passport ;

 they are crew member ;

 they are journalist on duty travelling to one of these territories.

c) Citizen from the european Union and the European Economic Space (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Danemark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom), from Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Saint Marin, the Holly See and Switzerland can stay in any of these territories up to 90 days without a visa. They only need a passport valid for 3 months after the last day of their stay.

3- Requirements for a short stay visa.

PLEASE READ GENERAL INFORMATION FIRST.

 

You have to apply with the French Consulate in Washington DC, only if you reside in one of the following states :

Deleware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia.

If you do not reside in one of those states, you have to apply with another French Consulate, depending on where you live in the United states. To know where to apply, click here.

 

REQUIREMENTS :

 

You have to apply with all the required documents in original and one copy. The visa section does not make any copies.   Note that the personal appearance is the basic rule, however you may send your application by certified mail. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks processing time for all visa applications submitted by mail.

 

 Passport valid at least three months beyond the applicant’s last day of stay (+ 1 copy of the identification page). Please make sure your passport has a blank page to affix the visa.

 1 or 2 short stay application forms completely and clearly filled out. Please print in black. Indicate also your phone numbers and e-mail. Verify the number of forms by clicking here.

 2 photographs (more informations about the photograph) . All photos must be recent, identical, passport size - 1,4" x 1,7" (3,5cm x 4,5cm) and showing face front the forehead hairline and ears on a white background, the face must take up 70-80% of the photograph.

 A proof of resident status in the USA and its copy.( green card, valid US visa and copy of valid I-20 or valid I-AP66, visas…) if you are not a US citizen. Applications for a short stay visa from holders of B1/B2 visas in the United States are subject to a heavier and longer procedure, and the personal appearance is required.

 the visa issued by the country of final destination, if needed.

 Reservation with detailed itinerary. The roundtrip airline tickets will be required only when the visa is issued (+ 1 copy).

 A letter from your insurance company stating that you will be covered for at least $ 40.000 during your stay overseas for any medical and rapartriation expenses (+ 1 copy).

 Proof of employment (for example, letter from the company stating continuing employment after the period of leave, and last payslip).

 Depending on the purpose of the trip , one of the documents listed below :

• For tourism : Hotel reservation, proof of registration with an organized tour, attestation of accommodation , etc.(+ 1 copy) for the duration of your stay.

• For business : official business invitation letter from a company in France (+ 1 copy).

• For private visit (family or friends) : Attestation of accommodation (+ 1 copy). Your host in the territories can obtain this document at the City Hall, by showing a proof of identity and 2 proofs of lodging (rental contract, and phone bill or power bill…)

 Proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of your stay : 3 last bank statements (+ 1 copy), travellers checks if visiting the United States, 100 dollars per day are suggested. For business: letter from the employer indicating the name and address of the companies in France, and guaranteeing the travel expenses (+1 copy)

 For a minor, if travelling alone, a notarized parental authorization signed by both parents or guardian. If the minor travels with 1 parent, an authorization signed by the 2nd parent is required (+ 1 copy).

 Processing fees : payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) (especially for files sent by mail) or money-order made out to "Consulate general of France" or certified checks. Cash is accepted only if you apply in person. No personal checks.

 

IMPORTANT : You can apply by security mail under your own responsibility. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks processing time for all visa applications submitted by mail. If you do so, you have to send us the original passport, along with all the above mentionned (original + copy) documents. You also have to send a self-addressed pre-paid envelope (Express mail…), in order to get your passport back.

 

REMARKS:

 

The Consular Administration has full authority to appreciate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant. Note that the visa does not in itself grant you the right to enter a French territory. It is necessary that you carry the original documents used to obtain the visa with you at all times. Border authorities may request that you show them upon entry to France.

4- Requirements for a long stay visa.

PLEASE READ GENERAL INFORMATION FIRST.

 

The applicant must apply for the visa and should obtain it in his/her country of residence before arriving in one of these territories.

You have to apply with the French Consulate in Washington DC, only if you reside in one of the following states :

Deleware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia.

If you do not reside in one of those states, you have to apply with another French Consulate, depending on where you live in the United states. To know where to apply, click here.

The procedure takes about 4 months.

You apply for this visa if you intend to settle in one of these territories (for example as a retiree). If granted, this visa will allow you to go to a French prefecture and ask for a « carte de séjour » (residency card).

 

REQUIREMENTS :

 

You have to apply with all the required documents in original and four copies. The visa section does not make any copies.   PERSONNAL APPEARANCE IS MENDATORY : you cannot apply by mail.

 

 Passport valid for a period of six months from the date of visa application (+ 4 copies of the identification page).

 Four long stay application forms signed and clearly filled out. Please print in black ink.

 5 photographs (more informations about the photograph) . All photos must be recent, identical, passport size - 1,4" x 1,7" (3,5cm x 4,5cm) and showing face front the forehead hairline and ears on a white background, the face must take up 70-80% of the photograph.

 A proof of resident status in the US (e.g. , visa, I-94, IAP66, I-20, resident card).

 Financial guarantee such as :

• Letter from your bank stating that you have sufficient means of support to live in France;
• Justification of retirement pensions;
• A notarized declaration of your sponsor stating that he/she will be responsible for all your expenses and a proof of his/her assets.

 A note, dated and signed by the applicant, stating that he/she does not intend to have in France and the overseas territories any paid professional activity which requires a work permit.

 Proof of medical insurance with coverage valid in France. Letter from the insurance compagny only.

 A non criminal record certificate obtained from the police’s office of your city of residence.

 Deed of your house/appartment in one of the French overseas territories.

 Processing fees : payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) (especially for files sent by mail) or money-order made out to "Consulate general of France" or certified checks. Cash is accepted only if you apply in person. No personal checks.

 

REMARKS :

 

The Consular Administration has full authority to appreciate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant. The latter is hereby informed that submitting the aforementioned documents does not ensure automatic issuance of the visa.