Entry Requirements and Visa for the United States

For French Citizens

French citizens are among the nationalities eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for tourist stays of up to 90 days. This means a valid biometric or electronic passport for the duration of the stay, a return or onward ticket, and an "Electronic System for Travel Authorization" (ESTA) are required to enter the United States. Additionally, proof of financial means and an address for the first night are strongly recommended.

With these in place, you are allowed to stay for 90 days or transit through the U.S. if your flight connects in a U.S. city. However, even with all formalities completed and in order, entry into the U.S. remains at the discretion of the immigration officer at your arrival point.

ESTA

The ESTA form must be completed exclusively on the official U.S. government site. There is no need—and in fact, no benefit—to use an intermediary service, which will often charge a significant commission.

The ESTA costs $40 and is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before departure, though responses are usually quick (still, apply early).

Special Cases

Even as a French citizen traveling for tourism, an ESTA may not always suffice. In such cases, you must apply for a B2 tourist visa in person at the U.S. Embassy in Paris.

Situations requiring a visa include: planning a stay longer than 3 months, frequent short trips that could cumulatively exceed 90 days, recent travel to countries targeted by U.S. regulations (such as Cuba, Iran, Syria, Sudan, North Korea, and others), holding dual citizenship with one of these countries, or a previous ESTA denial or cancellation.

For Canadian Citizens

Canadians are traditionally the most frequent visitors to the U.S. They do not need a B2 tourist visa or an ESTA for stays of up to 6 months. A valid passport is sufficient for air travel, while land crossings can be done with a passport, NEXUS card, or an "enhanced driver’s license."

However, as with all nationalities, U.S. immigration officers at the port of entry determine the authorized length of stay and may request additional documents, such as proof of financial means.

Other Nationalities

While entry is relatively straightforward for Canadians, Europeans, and some others, travelers from Latin America and especially Africa often face more complex requirements. Some nationalities are barred from entering the U.S., while others may need to provide financial guarantees or comply with additional measures that can change without notice. Always check the current requirements for your nationality before traveling to the United States.

In Case of Violation

As seen regularly with ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), U.S. authorities currently show little tolerance for violations. Non-compliance can result in detention and deportation, even for European citizens. Keep this in mind.

Consulates

In France

Consulate General: 4 av. Gabriel, 75008 Paris. Tel: 0810 26 46 26. Open by appointment only, Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, excluding French and U.S. holidays. Only the Paris consulate in mainland France is authorized to issue visas.

Consulates in the Provinces

Bordeaux: Consulate, 89 quai des Chartrons, 33000 Bordeaux. Tel.: 05 56 48 63 85.

Lyon: Consulate, 1 quai Jules Courmont, 69289 Lyon Cedex 02. Tel.: 04 78 38 36 88.

Marseille: Consulate General, 12 Place Varian Fry, 13006 Marseille. Tel.: 04 91 54 92 00.

Nice: Honorary Consulate, 7 av. Gustave V, 06000 Nice. Tel.: 04 93 88 89 55.

Rennes: Consulate, 30 quai Duguay Trouin, 35000 Rennes. Tel.: 02 23 44 09 60.

Strasbourg: Consulate General, 15 av. d'Alsace, 67082 Strasbourg Cedex. Tel.: 03 88 35 31 04.

Consulates in the French Overseas Territories

French Guiana: Consular Agency, c/o U.S. Embassy in Suriname, Consular Services for French Guiana, 129 Paramaribo. Tel.: 00 (597) 472 900.

Martinique: Consular Agency, Hôtel Valmenière, 615 av. des Arawaks, 97200 Fort-de-France. Tel.: 0 596 75 67 54.

French Polynesia: Consular Agency, BP 10765, 98711 Paea. Tel.: 00 689 42 65 35.

Saint Pierre and Miquelon: Consular Agency, c/o U.S. Consulate General in Halifax (Canada), BP 2130, CRO, Halifax B3J 3B7. Tel.: 00 (902) 422 5034.

In Canada

Calgary: Consulate, 615 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 4T8. Tel.: 403 266 8962.

Montreal: Consulate, 1155 rue St. Alexandre, Montreal, Quebec, H3B 3Z1. Tel.: 514 398 9695.

Ottawa: Consulate, 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1G8. Tel.: 613 238 5335.

Quebec City: Consulate, 2, rue de la Terrasse Dufferin, Quebec, QC, G1R 4N5. Tel.: 418 692 2095.

Toronto: Consulate, 360 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1S4. Tel.: 416 201 4056.

Vancouver: Consulate, 1075 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2M6. Tel.: 604 685 4311.

In Belgium

Brussels: Consulate General, Boulevard du Régent 27, 1000 Brussels. Tel.: +32 2 811 4000.

In Switzerland

Bern: Consulate General, Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007, Bern. Tel.: +41 31 357 7011.