Visa policies of Overseas France explained

Although the European portion of France is part of the Schengen Area, its overseas departments, collectivities and other territories apply their own visa policies, which have some additional exemptions or restrictions compared to the visa policy of the Schengen Area.

Visa exemption

Unlimited period

Nationals of the following countries can enter and reside for an unlimited period without a visa in Overseas France.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] They may use their national identity card instead of their passport as a travel document to enter any French territory.[10] They may also work freely in the parts of Overseas France that are part of the European Union (overseas departments and regions, and Saint Martin), but those who are not nationals of France need a permit to work in other parts such as French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Wallis and Futuna.[7] [8] [9]

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Short stays

For stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period, visa-free entry is granted to nationals of the following countries and territories (except as otherwise noted):[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

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This exemption also applies to:

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Additional exemptions for specific territories

For specific territories, nationals of the following countries are also granted visa-free stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period (except as otherwise noted).

For French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique:[1]

For Saint Martin:[2]

  • Travelers of any nationality coming directly from Sint Maarten (open border)

For Saint Pierre and Miquelon:[1]

  • Holders of a Canadian identification document (e.g. a driver's licence or student card), of any nationality, traveling directly from Canada; passport not required either

For Mayotte:[3]

For Réunion:[1]

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For New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, and French Polynesia:[4] [5] [6]

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Summary of short-stay visa exemptions

Obtaining a visa

Foreign nationals who need a visa for a part of Overseas France can obtain one by lodging an application at a French embassy or consulate in their country of residence (or, in the case of foreign nationals already in a part of France, the local prefecture)[10] for a fee of up to €99 (depending on the destination, length of stay, age and nationality).[11]

Visa fees
Length of stay Destination Regular fee Reduced fee No fee
Up to 90 days France (Schengen) €90 style=max-width:21em€45 for children ages 6 to 12; €35 for nationals of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus children under age 6, spouse of a French national, family members of other EU/EFTA nationals
style=max-width:22em€60 €35 for children ages 6 to 12
style=max-width:22em€9 style=max-width:17emspouse of a French national, family members of other EU/EFTA nationals
style=max-width:7emMore than 90 days any €99 style=max-width:21em€50 for students; €15 for children adopted by a French national spouse of a French national

Schengen short-stay visas are not valid for Overseas France (except for nationals of certain countries as listed above), and vice versa. A visa with the designation "départements français d'Amérique" (DFA) allows visiting all parts of Overseas France in the Americas (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon).[1] [2] A visa with the designation "valable pour France sauf CTOM" allows visiting all parts of Overseas France in the Americas as well as Réunion.[1] [2]

Visitor statistics

Visitor statistics of French Polynesia[12]
Country/territory 2016 2015 2014 2013
67,908 63,913 62,278 53,656
39,086 35,765 34,887 32,946
12,174 11,447 12,527 13,175
9,757 9,167 9,315 9,167
7,888 7,993 7,887 8,103
7,221 7,315 7,136 6,477
6,326 8,402 9,279 7,206
5,987 5,555 3,268 1,876
4,206 4,185 4,111 3,826
3,980 4,711 4,834 3,255
3,951 3,538 4,028 3,477
Total 192,495 183,831 180,602 164,393
Visitor statistics of New Caledonia[13]
Country/territory 2016 2015 2014 2013
Metropolitan France36,725 37,245 36,545 39,183
22,809 20,926 18,065 15,722
21,151 20,056 19,087 15,674
9,143 8,529 6,780 6,334
6,128 6,329 6,128 6,763
3,648 3,520 3,616 3,950
3,453 3,552 3,371 3,946
1,045 1,104 832 718
Total 115,676 113,951 107,187 107,753

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000024403998 Order of 26 July 2011 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion and the collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon
  2. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000025746952 Order of 18 April 2012 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of the collectivities of Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin
  3. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000030235682 Order of 4 February 2015 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of Mayotte
  4. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000024389411 Order of 22 July 2011 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of New Caledonia
  5. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000024404049 Order of 26 July 2011 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of Wallis and Futuna
  6. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000025092900 Order of 29 December 2011 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of French Polynesia
  7. http://www.polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr/Demarches-administratives/Accueil-des-etrangers/Conditions-de-sejour-des-etrangers-en-Polynesie-francaise/Vous-etes-ressortissant-d-un-pays-de-l-Union-europeenne You are a national of a country in the European Union
  8. https://www.nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr/Demarches-administratives/Accueil-des-etrangers/Conditions-de-sejour-des-etrangers-en-Nouvelle-Caledonie/Vous-etes-ressortissant-d-un-pays-de-l-Union-europeenne You are a national of a country in the European Union
  9. https://www.wallis-et-futuna.gouv.fr/Demarches-administratives/Entree-et-sejour-des-etrangers Entry and stay in Wallis and Futuna
  10. https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F10610 Does a foreigner need a visa for travel to Overseas France?
  11. https://france-visas.gouv.fr/documents/d/france-visas/frais-de-visa-anglais Visa fees
  12. Web site: Données détaillées. www.ispf.pf.
  13. Web site: Touristes selon le lieu de résidence. isee.nc.