Short stay visa for the other French overseas territories

1. What are the French overseas territories concerned ?

The French overseas territories concerned by this page are :

• French Polynesia
• New Caledonia
• Wallis and Futuna
• Mayotte
• St Pierre and Miquelon
• French austral territories

2. Do you need a visa to travel to these French overseas territories ?

 YES, if you are a citizen of the following countries even if you hold a US Permanent Resident Card ("Green Card") :

* Biometric passport holders from Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia are no longer required to obtain a visa for stays under 90 days.

• Diplomatic and official passport holders, please contact us.
  
  

 NO, if you are an American citizen or hold a passport issued by a country NOT listed above, you do not need any visa to enter a French Overseas Territories as a tourist for a short stay less than 90 days.

However, if the purpose of your trip is NOT tourism, then you may still be required to get a visa before your departure (please check with us).

3. Is a Schengen visa valid for the French overseas territories ?

No, you have to apply for a specific visa, allowing you to visit these territories. If you intend to visit both France and one of these territories, you have to apply for a visa "Schengen + this territory"

Examples :

 You are traveling directly from the USA to Tahiti without going through Europe : you have to apply for a visa "French Polynesia".

 You are traveling from the USA to New Caledonia flying through Europe : you have to apply for a visa "Schengen + New Caledonia".

4. How to make an appointment ?

For security reasons, all applicants, except children under the age of 6, have to appear personally at the Consulate General of France in Chicago.

The visa section is open to the public on an appointment basis, with no walk-ins allowed.

Make an appointment by clicking here

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IF YOU CANNOT PRINT YOUR CONFIRMATION RECEIPT IT IS NOT A PROBLEM. Simply show up on the date and time of your appointment .

No appointment can be made by phone or by e-mailing us. If you are not able to attend, please free a slot by canceling your appointment.

Make sure you bring all the required documents when coming to the Consulate General.

5. Processing time

Processing time may take about 21 days or longuer. Please check with us, mentioning your citizenship.

If you are applying for a visa "Schengen + territory" : please refer to the article Schengen Short stay visa for tourism to know about the processing time.

Applications cannot be processed more than 3 months ahead of time.

6. Requirements

1. Original passport or travel document (+ ONE COPY of the identity pages). Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years ago, be valid for at least three months after your return to the US and have at least 2 blank visas pages left.
   
   
2. Processing fee
   
   
3. One application form filled out completely and signed by the applicant (please read carefully the explanations).
   
   
4. One ID picture glued/stapled onto the application form
   
   
5. A valid U.S. permanent residence card ("green card") or a valid US visa with valid I-94 / valid I-20, or an Advance Parole document.
   We do NOT accept applications from B1/B2 visa holders. They must apply in their country of residence
   
   
6. If the country of final destination is not the applicant’s country of citizenship, please submit a valid visa, a resident permit, a work permit or any other document showing that the applicant is allowed to enter or reside in such country.
   
   
7. Proof of socio-professional status :
   • letter of employment in the U.S confirming your salary, hire date, position and dates of vacation (business registration if self employed)
   • and your last 2 paystubs
   • or letter from your school or university confirming your enrollment status, attendance and anticipated graduation date
     
     
8. Proof of financial means : your last 2 bank statements
   
   
9. Your travel itinerary : you MUST BOOK your airline ticket but do not purchase until the visa has been approved.
   
   
10. Proof of medical coverage abroad : a letter from your insurance company stating that you are covered abroad or a travel insurance to be purchased from a travel agency (minimum amount of 50,000 US$)
    
    
11. Proof of accomodation :
    • Confirmed hotel reservations for your entire stay in the Schengen states
    • or a letter from your travel agent stating that you are part of a tour.
    • or, if you are staying with friends or family, original of "Attestation d’Accueil" that your host has to request at the City Hall (Mairie) in France
    • For a business trip: please also provide a letter from your employer in the US or from your host company in France stating that you are in France on behalf of the company, giving the name and address of the contact person(s) in France and guaranteeing full responsibility for expenses, lodging, and return to the United States
      
      
12. If the applicant is under 18 years old and travelling without his parents:
    • notarized copy of his (her) birth certificate
    • notarized authorization from both parents allowing their child to travel to France or from the parent exercising full custody of the child according to the divorce decree.
    • if you are divorced : certified copy of divorce decree stating that you have full custody of the child(ren).
      
      
13. A self-addressed prepaid EXPRESS MAIL envelope from the US POST OFFICE ONLY - NO FEDEX / UPS / AIRBORNE EXPRESS accepted.You may use one envelope per family if you buy `flat rate`
    
    Please do NOT stick the mailing label on the envelope and fill out as follows :
    
    

7. Important information

• The consular administration has full authority to evaluate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant.
  
  

• Please be aware that submitting the aforementioned documents does not guarantee the approval of the visa.
  
  

• Please note that holders of visas are still subject to immigration control upon first entry into France. The visa itself does not grant the right to enter France.
  
  

Last update: 04/20/2010