1- There are 6 French overseas « DROM ».

Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Martinique, Saint Martin, Saint Barthélémy, and Réunion. "DFA" refers to the 3 American DROM : Guadeloupe, Martinique et Guyane. This mention allows entry in Saint Martin and Saint Barthélémy ("territorial collectivities).

The procedure may take up to 20 days. Consequently make sure you apply up to 3 weeks ahead.

2- Do I need a visa to go there ?

a) For a short stay, up to 90 days, the citizens of the following countries can travel without a visa ; they only need a passport valid 3 months after their return in the US :

Andorre, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brasil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, South Korea, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, United states, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong-Kong (titulaires du passeport de la Région administrative spéciale seulement), Japan, Liechtenstein, Macao (titulaires du passeport de la Région administrative spéciale seulement), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, St-Marin, the Holly See, Singapour, European Union and the European Economic Space and the Schengen space (Austria, Belgium, Czech republic, Danemark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungaria,Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lettonia, Lituania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovaquia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom), Uruguay , Venezuela.

Citizens from other countries must have a visa to travel to the French overseas « départements ».

Special situations:
 Citizens from Canada, Cyprus, South Corea, The United States, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Singapour and Venezuela must have a visa if they intend to work there.

 American citizens also need a visa to go to the French overseas « départements », if :

 they want to study ;  they hold a diplomatic, official or service passport and go there on an official mission ;  they are journalists and go there for their work.

If you have any doubt, please contact the visa section at the following e-mail address : visa@consulfrance-houston.org

3- Requirements for a short stay visa.

You have to apply with the French Consulate in Houston, only if you reside in one of the following states : Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

If you do not reside in one of those states, you have to apply with another French Consulate, depending on where you live in the United states. To know where to apply, click here

You have to apply with all the required documents in original and one copy. The visa section does not make any copies.

IT IS MANDATORY TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON LINE TO GET A VISA. NO APPOINTMENT WILL BE GIVEN BY PHONE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

 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.

 1 short stay application form completely and clearly filled out. Please print in black. Indicate also your phone numbers and e-mail.

 a recent passport size photograph. DO NOT GLUE to the form.

 A proof of resident status in the USA and 1 copy.( green card, valid US visa and copy of valid I-20 or valid I-AP66, visas…) if you are not a US citizen. Applications for a short stay visa from holders of B1/B2 visas in the United States are subject to a heavier and longer procedure, and the personal appearance is required.

 the visa issued by the country of final destination, if needed.

 Reservation with detailed itinerary. The roundtrip airline tickets will be required only when the visa is issued (+ 1 copy).

 A letter from your insurance company stating that you will be covered for at least $ 37.000 during your stay in Europe for any medical and rapatriation expenses.

 Proof of employment (for example, letter from the company stating continuing employment after the period of leave, and last payslip).

 Depending on the purpose of the trip , one of the documents listed below :

For tourism : Hotel reservation, proof of registration with an organized tour, attestation of accommodation , etc.(+ 1 copy) for the duration of your stay within the Schengen space.
For business : official business invitation letter from a company in France (+ 1 copy).
For a private visit (family or friends) : Attestation of accommodation (+ 1 copy). Your host in France can obtain this document from the City Hall, by showing a proof of identity and 2 proofs of lodging (rental contract, and phone bill or power bill…).

 Proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of your stay : 3 last bank statements (+ 1 copy), travelers checks if visiting the United States, 100 dollars per day are suggested. For business: letter from the employer indicating the name and address of the companies in France, and guaranteeing the travel expenses (+1 copy)

 For a minor, if traveling alone, a notarized parental authorization signed by both parents or guardian. If the minor travels with 1 parent, an authorization signed by the 2nd parent is required (+ 1 copy).

Processing fees: by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) cash or money-order only. Personal checks or American Express are not accepted.

Personal appearance is required.

REMARKS: The Consular Administration has full authority to appreciate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant. Note that the visa does not in itself grant you the right to enter a French territory. It is necessary that you carry the original documents used to obtain the visa with you at all times. Border authorities may request that you show them upon entry to France.

4- Requirements for a long stay visa (more than 90 days).

A visa is always required, except if your are a citizen from European Union or Economic European Space countries, from Lichtenstein, Monaco and the Holly See).

Read general information before applying.

The applicant must apply for the visa and should obtain it in his/her country of residence before arriving in French overseas Département.

You have to apply with the French Consulate in Houston, only if you reside in one of the following states :Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

If you do not reside in one of those states, you have to apply with another French Consulate, depending on where you live in the United states. To know where to apply, click here.

The procedure takes about 2 months.

You apply for this visa if you intend to settle in a French overseas Département (for example as a retiree). If granted, this visa will allow you to go to a French prefecture and ask for a « carte de séjour » (residency card).The consulate issues a visa valid for 3 months, 1 entry. You must apply for a " Carte de séjour at the Préfecture of your residence (the passport, the visa, the contract, and a birth certificate -original + translation - are to be presented on this occasion ). The family follows the same procedure. No residency card is issued to children under 16 years old.

IT IS MANDATORY TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON LINE TO GET A VISA. NO APPOINTMENT WILL BE GIVEN BY PHONE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

REQUIREMENTS :

Bring the originals + TWO COPIES of each document.

 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 six months and have at least 2 blank visas pages left.

 2 long stay application forms signed and clearly filled out. Please print in black. Write the telephone numbers and email address.

Click on the document below for english translation:

 2 recent passport size photograph. DO NOT GLUE to the form.

 A proof of resident status in the US ( e.g. , visa, I-94, IAP66, I-20, resident card ).

 Financial guarantee such as : - Letter from your bank stating that you have sufficient means of support to live in France; - Justification of retirement pensions; - A notarized declaration of your sponsor stating that he/she will be responsible for all your expenses and a proof of his/her assets.

 A note, dated and signed by the applicant, stating that he/she does not intend to have in France any paid professional activity which requires a work permit.

 Proof of medical insurance with coverage valid in France. Letter from the insurance compagny only.

 A non criminal record certificate to be obtained from the police’s office of your city of residence.

 Deed of your house/appartment in one of the French overseas “Département”.

Processing fees: by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) cash or money-order only. Personal checks or American Express are not accepted.

The Consular Administration has full authority to appreciate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant. The latter is hereby informed that submitting the aforementioned documents does not ensure automatic issuance of the visa.