Visa policies of Overseas France

Although the European portion of France is part of the Schengen Area, its overseas departments, collectivities and other territories apply their own visa policies, which have some additional exemptions or restrictions compared to the visa policy of the Schengen Area.

Overseas departments and regions	Overseas collectivities	Special status	Overseas territories (no permanent population)	Public domain of the state (uninhabited)
French Guiana[lower-alpha 1] Guadeloupe Martinique[lower-alpha 1] Mayotte[lower-alpha 1] Réunion	French Polynesia Saint Barthélemy Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Wallis and Futuna	New Caledonia	French Southern and Antarctic Lands	Clipperton Island

Single territorial collectivity with the competences of a department and a region.

Visa exemptions

Visa policy of Overseas France
Visa-free access to:

All territories, unlimited period

All territories, up to 3 months

All territories; most up to 3 months, one up to 15 days on organized trips

All territories; some up to 3 months, some up to 15 days

Most territories, up to 3 months

Some territories, up to 3 months

Some territories, up to 15 days on organized trips

French Polynesia entry stamp

Guadeloupe entry stamp

Martinique entry stamp

New Caledonia entry stamp

Saint Barthélemy entry stamp

Saint Pierre and Miquelon entry stamp

French Guiana exit stamp

Unlimited period

Nationals of the following countries can enter and reside for an unlimited period without a visa in Overseas France.[1][2][3][4][5][6] They may use their national identity card instead of their passport as a travel document to enter any French territory.[7][lower-alpha 1]

A passport, however, is usually necessary if the person is not traveling directly from a European country or another French territory. Direct flights from Europe exist to French territories in the Americas and Africa, but those to Oceania normally make a stop in another country, such as the Paris-Papeete flights with a stop in Los Angeles. Notable exceptions were the Air Tahiti Nui TN64 flights in March and April 2020, which flew directly from Papeete to Paris, and their return flights with a stop in Pointe-à-Pitre, to facilitate the repatriation of French citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]

Short stays

For stays of up to 3 months in a 6-month period, visa-free entry is granted to nationals of the following countries and territories (except as otherwise noted):[1][2][3][4][5][6]

With biometric passport.
For French Guiana, Brazilian citizens may enter without a visa only in the following cases: up to 15 days for trips organized by an approved travel agency; up to 3 days when in transit to France (including all territories) or Brazil; local residents of Oiapoque who are holders of a special card authorising cross-border travel (in which case they can visit Saint-Georges-de-l'Oyapock only visa-free for up to 72 hours); or members of the emergency services.
Except for Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin.
For French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin, visa-free entry of up to 15 days for each stay, as long as the visa-free short stays do not total more than 120 days over a 12-month period.
Except with passport issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate.
With passport bearing identity card number.
Including all classes of British nationality.[9]

This exemption also applies to:

Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by France or another Schengen country
Nationals of the following countries holding a multiple-entry visa issued by France with validity between 6 months and 5 years:

Additional exemptions for specific territories

For specific territories, nationals of the following countries are also granted visa-free stays of up to 3 months in a 6-month period (except as otherwise noted).

For French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique:[1]

Ecuador
Peru

For Saint Martin:[2]

Travelers of any nationality coming directly from Sint Maarten (open border)

For Saint Pierre and Miquelon:[1]

Holders of a Canadian identification document (e.g. a driver's licence or student card), of any nationality, traveling directly from Canada; passport also not required

For Réunion:[1]

China[lower-alpha 1]
India[lower-alpha 1]

Visa-free entry of up to 15 days for each stay, for trips organized by an approved travel agency.

For Mayotte:[3]

Mozambique

For New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, and French Polynesia:[4][5][6]

Visa-free entry of up to 15 days for each stay, for trips organized by an approved travel agency. Only for New Caledonia and French Polynesia.
Only for New Caledonia.
With biometric passport.

Summary of short-stay visa exemptions

Country	France (Schengen)	French Guiana	Guadeloupe and Martinique	Réunion	Mayotte	Saint Pierre and Miquelon	Wallis and Futuna	French Polynesia	New Caledonia	Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy

EU and EFTA	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Schengen 'Annex II'[lower-alpha 1]	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Brazil	Yes	organized trips or in transit	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Colombia	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
East Timor	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Grenada	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Palau	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Samoa	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Tonga	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Trinidad and Tobago	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
United Arab Emirates	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Vanuatu	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Georgia	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Peru	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Kiribati	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Marshall Islands	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Micronesia	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Solomon Islands	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Tuvalu	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Ukraine	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Bolivia	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ecuador	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Fiji	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Mozambique	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Nauru	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Papua New Guinea	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
South Africa	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
China	No	No	No	organized trips	No	No	No	organized trips	organized trips	No
India	No	No	No	organized trips	No	No	No	No	No	No

Except Brazil, Colombia, East Timor, Georgia, Grenada, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu.

Obtaining a visa

Foreign nationals who require a visa for a part of Overseas France can obtain one by lodging an application at a French embassy or consulate in their country of residence (or, in the case of foreign nationals already in metropolitan France, the local prefecture)[10] for a fee of up to €99 (depending on the destination, length of stay, and age of applicant).[11]

Schengen short-stay visas are not valid for Overseas France (except for nationals of certain countries as listed above), and vice versa. A visa with the designation "départements français d'Amérique" (DFA) allows visiting the French overseas departments in the Americas (French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique) as well as Saint Pierre and Miquelon.[1]

Visitor statistics

Visitor statistics of French Polynesia[12]
Country/territory	2016	2015	2014	2013
United States	67,908	63,913	62,278	53,656
France	39,086	35,765	34,887	32,946
Japan	12,174	11,447	12,527	13,175
Australia	9,757	9,167	9,315	9,167
Italy	7,888	7,993	7,887	8,103
New Zealand	7,221	7,315	7,136	6,477
Canada	6,326	8,402	9,279	7,206
China	5,987	5,555	3,268	1,876
New Caledonia	4,206	4,185	4,111	3,826
United Kingdom	3,980	4,711	4,834	3,255
Germany	3,951	3,538	4,028	3,477
Total	192,495	183,831	180,602	164,393

Visitor statistics of New Caledonia[13]
Country/territory	2016	2015	2014	2013
Metropolitan France	36,725	37,245	36,545	39,183
Australia	22,809	20,926	18,065	15,722
Japan	21,151	20,056	19,087	15,674
New Zealand	9,143	8,529	6,780	6,334
Wallis and Futuna	6,128	6,329	6,128	6,763
Vanuatu	3,648	3,520	3,616	3,950
French Polynesia	3,453	3,552	3,371	3,946
Italy	1,045	1,104	832	718
Total	115,676	113,951	107,187	107,753

References

Ruling of 26 July 2011 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion and the collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Légifrance, consolidated version of 10 February 2021 (in French).
Ruling of 18 April 2012 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of the collectivities of Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin, Légifrance, consolidated version of 10 February 2021 (in French).
Ruling of 4 February 2015 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of Mayotte, Légifrance, consolidated version of 10 February 2021 (in French).
Ruling of 22 July 2011 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of New Caledonia, Légifrance, consolidated version of 10 February 2021 (in French).
Ruling of 26 July 2011 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of Wallis and Futuna, Légifrance, consolidated version of 10 February 2021 (in French).
Ruling of 29 December 2011 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of French Polynesia, Légifrance, consolidated version of 10 February 2021 (in French).
Travel to Overseas France: does a foreigner need a visa?, Government of France, 1 October 2019 (in French).
Air Tahiti Nui will fly another nonstop Papeete to Paris flight, Simple Flying, 12 April 2020.
Brexit – Provisions related to visas, Consulate General of France in London, 4 December 2020 (in French).
"Voyage en outre-mer: de quel visa a besoin un étranger ?". service-public.fr.
Visa fees, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France. (in French)
"Données détaillées". www.ispf.pf.
"Touristes selon le lieu de résidence". isee.nc.

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[merged-1] Single territorial collectivity with the competences of a department and a region.

[10] A passport, however, is usually necessary if the person is not traveling directly from a European country or another French territory. Direct flights from Europe exist to French territories in the Americas and Africa, but those to Oceania normally make a stop in another country, such as the Paris-Papeete flights with a stop in Los Angeles. Notable exceptions were the Air Tahiti Nui TN64 flights in March and April 2020, which flew directly from Papeete to Paris, and their return flights with a stop in Pointe-à-Pitre, to facilitate the repatriation of French citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]

[biometric-11] With biometric passport.

[12] For French Guiana, Brazilian citizens may enter without a visa only in the following cases: up to 15 days for trips organized by an approved travel agency; up to 3 days when in transit to France (including all territories) or Brazil; local residents of Oiapoque who are holders of a special card authorising cross-border travel (in which case they can visit Saint-Georges-de-l'Oyapock only visa-free for up to 72 hours); or members of the emergency services.

[except-bl-mf-13] Except for Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin.

[caribbean15-14] For French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin, visa-free entry of up to 15 days for each stay, as long as the visa-free short stays do not total more than 120 days over a 12-month period.

[15] Except with passport issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate.

[16] With passport bearing identity card number.

[18] Including all classes of British nationality.[9]

[organized15-19] Visa-free entry of up to 15 days for each stay, for trips organized by an approved travel agency.

[20] Visa-free entry of up to 15 days for each stay, for trips organized by an approved travel agency. Only for New Caledonia and French Polynesia.

[nc-21] Only for New Caledonia.

[biometric-22] With biometric passport.

[23] Except Brazil, Colombia, East Timor, Georgia, Grenada, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu.

[gp-gf-mq-re-pm-2] Ruling of 26 July 2011 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion and the collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Légifrance, consolidated version of 10 February 2021 (in French).

[bl-mf-3] Ruling of 18 April 2012 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of the collectivities of Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin, Légifrance, consolidated version of 10 February 2021 (in French).

[yt-4] Ruling of 4 February 2015 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of Mayotte, Légifrance, consolidated version of 10 February 2021 (in French).

[nc-5] Ruling of 22 July 2011 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of New Caledonia, Légifrance, consolidated version of 10 February 2021 (in French).

[wf-6] Ruling of 26 July 2011 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of Wallis and Futuna, Légifrance, consolidated version of 10 February 2021 (in French).

[pf-7] Ruling of 29 December 2011 regarding the documents and visas required for the entry of foreigners in the territory of French Polynesia, Légifrance, consolidated version of 10 February 2021 (in French).

[8] Travel to Overseas France: does a foreigner need a visa?, Government of France, 1 October 2019 (in French).

[9] Air Tahiti Nui will fly another nonstop Papeete to Paris flight, Simple Flying, 12 April 2020.

[17] Brexit – Provisions related to visas, Consulate General of France in London, 4 December 2020 (in French).

[24] "Voyage en outre-mer: de quel visa a besoin un étranger ?". service-public.fr.

[25] Visa fees, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France. (in French)

[26] "Données détaillées". www.ispf.pf.

[27] "Touristes selon le lieu de résidence". isee.nc.