Do I need a visa for France from United States?
No visa required
Travelling to France on a United States passport, you do not need a visa for a short stay.
Once admitted, the permitted stay in France is 90 days.
| Requirement | Visa-free |
|---|---|
| Permitted stay once admitted | 90 days |
US passport holders land mostly at Charles de Gaulle (CDG), with Orly picking up a smaller share of the traffic, mostly regional and low-cost carriers. The 90 days isn't just a France number, it's shared across the whole Schengen area, so time already spent in Germany, Italy or any other Schengen country on the same trip counts against the same 180 day window rather than resetting at the French border.
That shared clock is the part worth watching on longer, multi-country European trips. A month in Spain followed by six weeks in France can use up the allowance faster than either leg looks like on its own.
All passports for France·All destinations for a United States passport
Data last verified: 2026-03-01
Not legal or immigration advice. DoINeedVisa summarizes community-maintained visa-requirement data for general informational purposes only. Requirements change without notice and can vary by passport, purpose of travel, layovers, and individual circumstances. Always confirm your requirements with the destination country’s embassy, consulate, or official government source before booking or traveling. DoINeedVisa is not responsible for denied entry, missed flights, or any other consequence of relying on this information.