Visas: General Information

Definition

A visa is a document that, in theory, allows a country to authorize or deny entry to a foreign national for a defined duration ("validity") and number of entries. It is also, and above all, in many cases a good source of revenue for the country...

Beyond students, businesspeople, workers, residents, and other specific cases that we won’t really cover here, even a simple tourist may need a visa for their holidays abroad, in addition to their passport (which is often required to be valid for 6 months after the planned return date).

It’s worth noting that, while the word "visa" fundamentally refers to something specific, in practice, it can also include things like "tourist cards" or even "special permits," which are essentially the same in function.

Not All Equal

Of course, requirements vary depending on the destination and nationality. In this regard, the French, most Europeans, and North Americans are far from the worst off.

According to the site "Passport Index", in 2017, German and Singaporean passports were the most "valuable," allowing visa-free travel to 159 countries. They were followed by Swedish and South Korean passports (158), then about ten other nationalities, including the French, with 157 possible visa-free destinations. Belgians, Swiss, and Luxembourgers could access 156 countries, and Canadians 155. At the opposite end, Afghans could travel without a visa to only 22 countries, Pakistanis to 25, Iraqis to 26, and Syrians to 30.

Things to Know

To find out about a country’s entry requirements and whether a visa is needed, refer to the country guides and (for French nationals) the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It’s essential to research well in advance whether a visa is required, whether it can be obtained on arrival or beforehand, the possible validity periods, as well as the fees and documents needed.

However, keep in mind that even if you are granted a visa, it doesn’t automatically guarantee entry into the country. While rare (though increasingly so for security reasons), it’s possible that at border control, an official may find a reason to deny you entry, with no recourse available to you.

Note

Much of the information in this section applies only to French nationals (unless otherwise specified) for tourism purposes.

Documents Typically Required

In addition to the forms to fill out (often available, along with the list of required documents, on consulate websites) and your passport, you will frequently be asked for photos, proof of travel (a one-way ticket may sometimes be an issue), a certain amount of money (up to 80 € or more), and for some destinations, an "official invitation" or even insurance, as is the case for Russia.

All of this must then be submitted to the consulate or an intermediary handling the application. The visa will either be ready for pickup the same day or, depending on the country, several weeks later. In any case, if you’re handling the process yourself, double-check the visa service’s opening hours (which are often unreliable). And, of course, don’t wait until the last minute.

It’s worth noting that for "electronic visas" (e-visas), the documents, procedures, and deadlines are generally different—and more flexible—since everything is done online. As for visas obtained on arrival, the process is also much simpler and quicker.

Using the Visa

Once issued, a visa is only valid until a specific date. If you wish to enter the country after that date, your visa will have expired, and you risk being denied entry (it will be considered as though you don’t have a visa). Depending on the destination, visas are typically valid for one to three months after issuance.

Also, be cautious with visas whose "on-site" validity starts from the date of issuance rather than the actual entry date into the country. However, if you think you’ll only exceed the deadline by a few days, ask to have it post-dated—some consulates will do this without issue.

There are also special cases, such as long-term travelers, which we’ll cover in another section.

Fees

Generally speaking, most visas are expensive (but it’s a good way for countries to generate revenue...). While there’s nothing you can do about that, it’s worth knowing that depending on how you go about it, the cost of your visa may not be the same for the same trip...

Before Departure or On Arrival

When both options exist for obtaining a visa, it’s relatively common for the fee on arrival to be lower than the one charged by the consulate before departure. However, note that the validity of an on-arrival visa may sometimes be shorter, or it may only allow a single entry into the country.

A small remark about obtaining visas on arrival, particularly at airports during group trips: while rare, it sometimes happens that a guide, tour leader, or agency representative handling the group’s application takes a commission... even though all they have to do is submit the passports and pay the visa fees at the appropriate counter. So, it’s often useful to check the prices beforehand and stay "vigilant" in such cases.

Validity and Number of Entries

More than where you obtain it, the validity and number of entries allowed into the country are what most affect the price. From single-entry visas to multiple-entry ones, from a few days of transit to long-term visas (several months), most countries offer several types of visas, each with its own price.

So, make sure to get what you actually need. And keep in mind that in some cases, you may also have the option to extend your visa on-site.

Intermediaries

Logically, if there’s an intermediary, the final price will increase. Expect to pay at least 20 € per visa when using a specialized company. Some may find this excessive, but given the service, it’s often less than what the process would cost if you did it yourself—at least in some cases. Note, however, that some countries require you to go through an accredited organization of their choice for applications. Outside of these specific cases, intermediaries are not mandatory.

That said, while an intermediary makes sense when dealing with a consulate, if everything is done online (like the ESTA for the United States), they’re unnecessary for 99% of people.