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🇫🇷France
🇺🇸United StatesFR-US

France to United States visa requirements

French passport holders do not need a visa for short US visits, but they must use ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program — USD 40.27 if approved, 90-day stays. French ordinary passport holders can travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) without a visitor visa when the trip is for tourism, permitted business, or transit and lasts 90 days or less. They must obtain an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before travel, including before boarding a U.S.-bound flight or cruise. An approved ESTA is generally valid for multiple entries over 2 years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. The FY 2026 ESTA cost is USD 40.27 if approved: the USD 10.27 cost-recovery portion is charged even if denied, and the remaining USD 30 is charged only on approval. Apply online only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and allow up to 72 hours, even though many decisions arrive sooner. Travelers must hold an e-passport with an electronic chip; current French ordinary passports are biometric, and Service-Public.fr states that every French passport issued since 29 June 2009 is biometric.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-19
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.
Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →France (PR)Living in France as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-19
Visa type
ESTA under Visa Waiver Program (no visa required)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days per visit
per entry
Entries
Multiple
from issue date
Visa fee
USD 40.27 if approved (USD 10.27 if denied)
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 e-passport with an electronic chip. Current ordinary French passports are biometric; every French passport issued since 29 June 2009 is biometric.
· e-passport required
/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
Pay by card or PayPal on the official ESTA site. If approved, the FY 2026 total is USD 40.27; if denied, only the USD 10.27 cost-recovery portion is charged.
· USD 40.27 if approved
/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

13 items
Personalized checklist
France -> United States · ESTA under Visa Waiver Program (no visa required)
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredFrench e-passport with chip
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Current French ordinary passports are biometric
RequiredApproved ESTA
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Linked to passport, 2-year validity
RequiredReturn or onward ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Required for VWP travelers
RequiredAccommodation evidence
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Hotel booking, host's address, or Airbnb confirmation
ConditionalFunds evidence
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
Bank statements or credit cards if asked
RecommendedTravel insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Strongly recommended — US healthcare costs are very high
RequiredESTA disqualifier check
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Travel to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, North Korea, or Yemen on/after 1 March 2011, or Cuba on/after 12 January 2021, generally requires a visa
RequiredCustoms declaration
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Filed via Mobile Passport Control app, CBP One, or paper on arrival
OptionalGlobal Entry (optional)
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
France not yet a Global Entry partner — use Mobile Passport Control
RequiredMobile Passport Control
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Free app speeds up customs at major US airports
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesOfficial ESTA Application Website — U.S. CBP/DHSU.S. State Department — Visa Waiver ProgramUSAGov — Visa Waiver Program and ESTA application (last updated 2026-04-10)
Application link included: Official ESTA Application Website — U.S. CBP/DHS
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
ESTA cost-recovery/application portionUSD 10.27Charged whether the application is approved or denied in FY 2026
Additional approved-ESTA feeUSD 30Charged only if approved; approved ESTA total is USD 40.27
B-1/B-2 visitor visaUSD 185Alternative if ESTA refused or longer stay needed
Mobile Passport ControlFreeSpeeds up customs declaration on arrival
Total estimateUSD 40.27 — USD 40.27incl. 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
Use the official U.S. visa appointment system if ESTA is refused, you are VWP-ineligible, or your trip needs a visa.
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, or Yemen on/after 1 March 2011, or Cuba on/after 12 January 2021, generally makes a VWP traveler ESTA-ineligible. Apply for a B visa instead.
Medium
/02
Past US visa refusal
A prior US visa refusal can result in ESTA denial or extra review. Answer the ESTA questions truthfully and apply for a B visa if ESTA is refused.
Medium
/03
Criminal record
Serious criminal, drug, or immigration violations can bar ESTA use. A B visa with a waiver of inadmissibility may be needed.
Low
/04
Wrong purpose at port of entry
VWP covers tourism, permitted business meetings, transit, and short recreational courses not for credit — not paid work, credit-bearing study, internships, or settlement.
Medium
/05
Dual nationality with restricted country
Dual French/Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria 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
2026-06-19
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-19
Codex checked/re-verified on 2026-06-19
Re-verified official ESTA/VWP, FY 2026 fee, and French passport sources; updated checked-date, lastVerifiedAt, ESTA fee, ETA verdict classification, passport wording, and VWP disqualifier details.
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).
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do French citizens need a US visa?—
No for eligible short visits — France is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). You need an approved ESTA before travel. ESTA is not a visa, but it is required.
How long does an ESTA last?+
Can I work or study in the US on ESTA?+
Has the ESTA fee changed?+
Can French citizens apply for Global Entry?+
What if I travelled to Cuba on holiday?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the France passport

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