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Non-Immigrant Visa
As of October 26, 2005, travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries
with passports issued on or after that date wishing to travel to the U.S.
visa-free must have a machine-readable passport with a digital photo or
integrated chip. The data currently available to us indicates Austria,
France, and Italy will not meet the October 26 deadline. VWP travelers
with passports issued prior to that date are not subject to biometric
passport requirements.
If you hold a French Machine Readable
passport you are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa
Waiver Program (VWP), for tourism or business for up to
90 days with a round trip ticket. The term
"business" in this context refers to negotiating contracts,
meeting clients, participating in seminars, attending expositions, and
taking customer orders. It does not include accepting employment in the
US.
If you are traveling on the VWP, you will not be able to change your visa
status in the United States, nor will you be able to extend your stay
beyond the 90-day limit. In general, one cannot study or work without a
visa.
The requirements to travel under
the VWP are that the individual must be:
- A citizen of a Visa Waiver Program
country.
- Have a valid passport issued by the
participating country that is valid for six months beyond your intended
visit.
- Traveling for business, pleasure or
transit only.
- Staying in the U.S. for 90 days or
less.
- Holding a return or onward ticket:
travelers with onward tickets terminating in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or
the Caribbean Islands must be legal permanent residents of these areas (if
entering the U.S. by air or sea)
- Entering the U.S. aboard an air or sea
carrier that has agreed to participate in the program; and in possession
of a completed form I-94W, obtainable from airline and shipping
companies (if entering the U.S. by air or sea)
- In possession of a completed form
I-94W, issued by the immigration authorities at the port of entry, and a
USD$6.00 fee, payable only in U.S. dollars (if entering the U.S.
by land from Canada or Mexico)
Note to NIV applicants not eligible to
use the VWP:
- All NIV visa applicants must schedule
interview appointment. Mail in applications are accepted only from
French Nationals and Legal Permanent Residents of France, provided they
are children 13 years of age or under, or people over 80 years of age or
older. Student visa applicants and exchange visitor applicants
MUST immediately identify themselves as such to the call center
in order to get a timely appointment.
- Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor visa
applicants (E visa) must continue to submit applications by mail.
- Due to the high volume of demand,
there may be a delay of four to 6 weeks before an interview can be
arranged. Please plan you travel accordingly.
All NIV applicants not eligible to use
the VWP must submit the following documents when applying for a
non-immigrant visa:
- A valid passport
- One recent photograph
-
Completed and signed Application Form DS-156
- Completed and signed form DS-157 (for
males between 16-45 years and all applicants born in/or citizens of
Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Cuba, Sudan, Syria and Libya)
- Completed and signed form DS-158 (for
all applicants seeking a student or exchange visitor visa J, F or M) If
you are a student applying for a visa to study in the U.S., talk to the
U.S. academic institution or exchange program sponsoring you to obtain
all the forms you will need to present your application.
- Pay
SEVIS fee before the visa can be issued (for most students and
international exchange visitors)
- Proof of payment of
application fee (85 euros)
- A self-addressed Chronopost envelope
to return your passport should you receive a visa (one per family)
- Documents to support the application
detailing employment, reason for travel, and financial status.
Be prepared to wait up to two hours from
the time you arrive to being interviewed by the consular officer. If you
qualify for a visa your passport and visa will be mailed back to you
normally in 24-48 hours.
Immigrant Visa
The IV Section conducts interviews, by appointment only, on Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. Due to last-minute name check
requirements, IV's are now usually issued within 24 hours of approval and
returned via Chronopost.
Attorney Representation
Attorneys may usually join their clients at the window, however
the interviewing officer have significant discretion. Counsel may
intervene only with the express permission of the interviewing officer.
Contact Information
(not to be used for mail)
American Embassy Paris
Office of Visa Services
2, rue Saint Florentin
75001 Paris, France
Appointments Service /Live Service
Operators: (+33) 810 26 46 26 (14,50 Euros per call)
Live operators are available from 0800-1700 Central European Time to
discuss your general inquiries to your visa or immigration case and help
determine if you require an appointment.
Please have your passport and major credit card or bank card ready when
you call.
Public Inquiries, E visas, IV Fax: (+33) (1) 4286 8291
Passport Unit Fax: (+33) (1) 4296 2839
NIV Fax: (+33) (1) 4312 4608
ACS Fax: (+33) (1) 4261 6140
Visa Information Line: 08 92 23 84 72 (fee charged:1,35 euro for
the first minute plus VAT and 0,34 euro for each additional minute plus
VAT) Number provide recorded information 24-hours a day on general visa
inquiries. Within the United States, you may also call the State
Department's Visa Services' Public Inquiries Branch at 202-663-1225. This
number has recorded information with an option to speak with a visa
specialist during most business hours. Please note that this is a toll
call.
http://france.usembassy.gov/
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