In order to maintain the security enforcement in airports, American authorities might apply further controls to the voyagers. Despite this inconvenience, we strongly advise you to restrain yourself, in any circumstances, from all ironic or critic gestures and remarks, subject to fine, detention and prohibition to go back into the American territory.

A. Registration upon arrival and upon exit from the United States of America

In application of the "US VISIT" Programme, American authorities proceed, since September 30, 2004, a systematic registration, by taking digital fingerprints and pictures, upon arrival as well as upon exiting their territory. All voyagers are subject to this programme, including those entering USA with visa waiver programme.

 

 

B. Visa Waiver Programme

This program allows citizens of 27 countries, including France, to get inside the American territory, either for transit, touristical or business purposes, with a maximum stay of 90 days.

In application of the American law released in 2002, concerning the enhanced security border and visa entry act, citizens of these 27 countries can still continue using the Visa Waiver Programme to enter the American Territory, in the condition that they are holders of an electronic passport, or a passport with these following requirements :

- individual (the American authorities do not admit the registration of your children, whatever their age would be, on one of the parents's passport);

Machinely readable by the DELPHINE

Delivered before October 25, 2005

Consequently :

Minors registered on one of their parents's passport,

Holders of old model passports (non-readable in the DELPHINE)

as well as the new ones delivered after October 25, 2005,

 

Will be submitted to the obligation of visa upon arrival (or transit) to the United States.

 

 

 

Biometric Passports

Biometric passports, delivered in France since Spring 2006,

allows you to enter or to transit without visa in the American Territory,

for those who are not in possession of a Delphine passport delivered before October 25, 2005.

 

 

 

ATTENTION : Your stay, within the application of Visa Waiver Programme, is restricted under the following conditions :

It cannot be extended over the authorized 90 days. Any overlimit stay of a person holding the Visa Waiver during his or her precedent visit to the USA cannot enter the territory anymore in the future without visa.

It is forbidden to practice a professional activity (paid and not paid). Effectively, all French wishing to work must be in possession of a defined working permit before their arrival on the American territory. Recent incidents concerned some young French show that the American Immigration Bureau are a proof of extreme vigilance when it comes to the application of this law, prohibiting all professional activities, paid as well as unpaid.

It is strongly suggested to the young French staying with an American family for touristic or language-learning purposes to avoid every activities that can be misunderstood or suspected as another ulterior motive of their stay in America. Questionaries to fill before entering the American territory must be completed precisely. All violations of the apllicable law will cause an immediate expulsion and/or prohibition to enter the American territory for several years.

 

 

 

C. Visits that necessite a visa

French citizens who must obtain a visa from the American Consulaire Service to get into the American territory :

- for any transit or stay less than 90 days, without the possession of an eligible passport for the Visa Waiver Programme;

- for a stay longer than 90 days;

- for a stay whose motive is not touristic or business, but corresponds to a professional activity. For more information, please contact your nearest American Consulate.

 

In order to reduce your waiting to get a visa, some American embassies and consulates in the neighboring countries have accepted to administer visa demands coming from French citizens.

Important web addresses and telephone numbers are listed below. The meeting must be arranged by calling these numbers.

Berlin / Frankfurt: http://berlin.usembassy.gov ; call meeting : 0049 (0) 9131-772-2270

 

Bern : http://bern.usembassy.gov ; call meeting : 0900 87 84 72

 

Brussels : http://belgium.usembassy.gov ; call meeting : 0032-(0)2-788 1200

 

London: http://london.usembassy.gov ; call meeting : 09042-450100.
Please note that this number is unaccessible outside the United Kingdom and that it is the ONLY available number. We recommend you to ask the assistance of family or friends residing in this country.

 

Madrid: http://spain.usembassy.gov ; call meeting : 0049 9131 772 2087

 

Rome / Florence: http://italy.usembassy.gov ; call meeting : 0039 02.3032.9656

 

 

 

 

 

D. Customs and Sanitary Rules

An amount of money superior to US$ 10,000 must be declared at the customs. The American customs are very vigilant concerning food products : non-sterilized products such as cheese or delicatessen, as well as green plants, are strictly forbidden.

Constraints related to pet possession are more severe than in France, you should first of all consult the American Embassy in Paris for every voyage accompanied by your pet.

For all other complementary information, please contact the American Embassy in Paris.

 

(Source : Ministry of Foreign Affairs)