🇫🇷FRANCE

🇺🇸UNITED STATESFR-US

Do France passport holders need a visa to visit United States?

Q: How long does an ESTA last?

Two years from approval, or until your passport expires (whichever comes first). Multiple visits up to 90 days each are allowed during the validity period.

Q: Can I work or study in the US on ESTA?

No. ESTA covers tourism, business meetings, conferences, and short courses (under 18 hours/week). Paid work needs an H, L, O, or E visa; longer study needs F or M visa.

Q: Has the ESTA fee changed?

Yes — on 30 September 2025, CBP raised the ESTA fee from USD 21 to USD 40 under Public Law 119-21. Visa-Waiver travelers are exempt from the new USD 250+ Visa Integrity Fee for B-visa holders.

Q: Can French citizens apply for Global Entry?

Not yet — France is not currently a Global Entry partner. Use Mobile Passport Control instead, which is free and works at most major US airports.

Q: What if I travelled to Cuba on holiday?

Travel to Cuba (since 12 January 2021) disqualifies you from ESTA. Apply for a B-1/B-2 visa instead. Be prepared to explain your Cuba trip and provide details at the visa interview.

French passports use ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program — USD 40 fee, 90-day stays. French ordinary passport holders travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). They need an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before boarding any flight or cruise to the US. ESTA permits stays of up to 90 days for tourism, business, or transit, with multiple entries during its 2-year validity. The application costs USD 40 (raised from USD 21 on 30 September 2025), is filed online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, and most decisions arrive within minutes. Travelers must hold a biometric e-Passport — all French passports issued since June 2006 are biometric.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-27

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

France (PR)Living in France as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27

Visa type

ESTA under Visa Waiver Program

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days per visit

per entry

Entries

Multiple

from issue date

Visa fee

USD 40

consular fee only

Processing time

Usually minutes (allow 72 hours)

standard track

Validity

2 years or until passport expires

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Check passport eligibility

Hold a French biometric e-Passport (passeport biométrique). All standard French passports issued since June 2006 are biometric.

· passeport biométrique

/02

Apply on the official CBP site

Go to esta.cbp.dhs.gov — never use third-party sites. Complete personal, travel, and eligibility questions (criminal history, communicable disease, prior visa refusals).

· esta.cbp.dhs.gov only

/03

Pay the fee

USD 40 by card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover, or PayPal). Charged in two parts.

· USD 40 total

/04

Wait for the decision

Most ESTAs approved within minutes. Some need up to 72 hours. Apply at least 72 hours before flying.

· 72-hour buffer

/05

Travel and clear immigration

ESTA is electronically linked to your passport — no printout needed. Present passport and Customs Declaration at the US airport. Officer decides final entry and stay.

· officer discretion at POE

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 10 complete

French biometric e-Passport

Required since 2008 for all VWP travel

Approved ESTA

Linked to passport, 2-year validity

Return or onward ticket

Required for VWP travelers

Accommodation evidence

Hotel booking, host's address, or Airbnb confirmation

Funds evidence

Bank statements or credit cards if asked

Travel insurance

Strongly recommended — US healthcare costs are very high

ESTA disqualifier check

Travel to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, North Korea, Yemen, Cuba since 1 March 2011 disqualifies ESTA

Customs declaration

Filed via Mobile Passport Control app, CBP One, or paper on arrival

Global Entry (optional)

France not yet a Global Entry partner — use Mobile Passport Control

Mobile Passport Control

Free app speeds up customs at major US airports

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

ESTA applicationUSD 40Raised from USD 21 on 30 September 2025

B-1/B-2 visitor visaUSD 185Alternative if ESTA refused or longer stay needed

Visa Integrity FeeFree for ESTAUSD 250+ for B-visa holders; VWP exempt

TSA PreCheckUSD 78Optional; speeds up airport security

Mobile Passport ControlFreeSpeeds up customs declaration on arrival

Total estimateUSD 40 — USD 250+incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

ESTA decision

Minutes to 72 hours

Most automatic; apply at least 72 hours before flying.

B-1/B-2 visa interview

Weeks to months

Wait times vary at US embassy in Paris and consulates in Marseille, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Rennes, Lyon.

Visa renewal (interview waiver)

Weeks

Drop-off available for many qualifying visa renewals at US consulates in France.

ESTA renewal

Same as new

Re-apply when ESTA or passport approaches expiry.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

ESTA ineligibility

Travel to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, North Korea, Yemen, or Cuba since 1 March 2011 (or later, depending on country) makes you ESTA-ineligible. Apply for a B visa instead.

Medium

/02

Past US visa refusal

Any prior US visa refusal disqualifies ESTA. Apply for a B visa and explain the refusal at interview.

Medium

/03

Criminal record

Convictions involving 'moral turpitude' (theft, fraud, drugs, assault) usually bar ESTA. May need a B visa with waiver of inadmissibility.

Low

/04

Wrong purpose at port of entry

VWP covers tourism, business meetings, and short courses — not paid work, paid internships, or settlement.

Medium

/05

Dual nationality with restricted country

Dual French/Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, North Korea citizens cannot use ESTA, even on the French passport.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

CBP inspection

A visa lets you request admission. CBP decides the actual period of stay and records it in your I-94.

/02

Customs

Declare food, agricultural items, and cash over USD 10,000. Missing declarations can cause fines or seizure.

/03

Connectivity

Airport SIMs are expensive; eSIMs or prepaid plans bought online often work better for short trips.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-27

France to United States route verified

Confirmed ESTA under Visa Waiver Program, USD 40 fee, e-Passport requirement.

2025-09-30 · major

ESTA fee raised to USD 40

CBP raised the ESTA fee from USD 21 to USD 40 under Public Law 119-21 (H.R. 1). Visa-Waiver travelers remain exempt from the new USD 250+ Visa Integrity Fee.

/09 — The questions