France no longer requires a student visa for citizens of the United States for stays up to 90 days. A short-stay visa may be required for residents of other countries. A visa is still required for American citizens seeking employment in France or who wish to emigrate to France.
American citizens should contact one of the French consulates in the United States to obtain a visa. France operates consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York and San Francisco. Information on the consulates is available at www.ambafrance-us.org.
People planning on staying in France longer than one year must apply for a resident permit ("Carte de Séjour"). This application should be made during the last three months that a long-term visa is in effect. The application should be made through the appropriate local government office ("Préfecture").
The Schengen agreement regulates border controls between 24 European nations. It includes all the members of the European Union except the United Kingdom, Ireland, Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus. The agreement also includes three countries that are not members of the European Union: Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.
For more information regarding entry requirements for France, contact the Embassy of France at 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007. The telephone number for the embassy is (202) 944-6000.
