parisbynumbers.com

Whether you’re British, American, Canadian or Australian, you won’t need a visa to visit Paris as a tourist. Your passport is perfectly sufficient to gain entry to France, allowing you to stay in the country for up to ninety days within a six month period.

Brits, of course, can stay much longer than anyone else. Residents of the European Union now have free movement of travel within the EU’s borders, meaning they can reside within any member country for as long as they choose, and are equally free to work as they desire. It’s still sensible to apply for a carte de sejour residency permit if you’re staying for any length of time - it’s no longer a legal requirement for EU citizens, but it’s a very useful document to have. Click here for more info…

The situation for American, Candian and Australian citizens desiring residency in Paris is slightly more complex. If you intend to stay longer than three months, or you’re visiting for a reason that isn’t purely touristic (ie work), you’ll need permission granted before you travel, and the appropriate visa must be found inside your passport when you land in France.

Normally this is a long stay visa (visa de long séjour), and you’ll need to apply to your local French Consulate from within your home country for this permission. Then, once you arrive in France, you’ll need to apply within eight days for a carte de sejour - the French residency permit that confirms the permissions already temporarily granted by your visa. Note that you can’t enter France as a tourist and then apply for a long stay visa / carte de sejour - you’ll usually be required to return home to make your visa application.

Please note that rules regarding residency and employment are relatively complex, and change regularly. There are all manner of exceptions, and special programmes that might assist your visa application - especially if you’re a student, or retired, or even in some cases planning a working holiday. Follow the links below for more detailed information:

French Government Guide to Visas

US Citizens:
Guide to Residency - US Embassy in Paris (pdf)

Australian Citizens
French Embassy in Canberra

Canadian Citizens
French Embassy in Ottawa