France Documents And Formalities

Requirements

Citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US need valid passports to enter France and to re-enter their home countries. France does not allow entrance if the holder’s passport expires in under six months; returning home with an expired passport is illegal and may result in a fine.

New Passports

Citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US can apply for a passport at any passport office or at selected post offices and courts of law. Citizens of these countries may download passport applications from the official website of their country’s government or passport office. Any new passport or renewal applications must be filed well in advance of the departure date, though most passport offices offer rush services for a very steep fee. Note, however, that “rushed” passports still take up to two weeks to arrive.

One Europe. European unity has come a long way since 1958, when the European Economic Community (EEC) was created to promote European solidarity and cooperation. Since then, the EEC has become the European Union (EU), a mighty political, legal, and economic institution. On May 1, 2004, 10 South, Central, and Eastern European countries—Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia—were admitted into the EU, joining 15 other member states: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. On January 1, 2007, two others, Bulgaria and Romania, came into the fold, bringing the tally of member states to 27.
What does this have to do with the average non-EU tourist? The EU’s policy of freedom of movement means that most border controls have been abolished and visa policies harmonized. Under this treaty, formally known as the Schengen Agreement, you’re still required to carry a passport (or government-issued ID card for EU citizens) when crossing an internal border, but, once you’ve been admitted into one country, you’re free to travel to other participating states. Most EU states are already members of Schengen (minus Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, and the UK), as are Iceland and Norway. In 2009, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland will bring the number of Schengen countries to 27. Britain and Ireland have also formed a common travel area, abolishing passport controls between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
For more important consequences of the EU for travelers, see The Euro and Customs in the EU .

Passport Maintenance

Photocopy of your passport with your photo as well as your visas, traveler’s check serial numbers, and any other important documents. Carry one set of copies in a safe place, apart from the originals, and leave another set at home. Consulates also recommend that you carry an expired passport or an official copy of your birth certificate in a part of your baggage separate from other documents.

If you lose your passport, immediately notify the local police and your home country’s nearest embassy or consulate. To expedite its replacement, you must show ID and proof of citizenship; it also helps to know all information previously recorded in the passport. In some cases, a replacement may take weeks to process, and it may be valid only for a limited time. Any visas stamped in your old passport will be lost forever. In an emergency, ask for immediate temporary traveling papers that will permit you to re-enter your home country.

Visas And Work Permits

Visas

Citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days for entrance into France, though this three-month period begins upon entry into any of the countries that belong to the EU’s freedom of movement zone. For more information, see One Europe . Those staying longer than 90 days may purchase a long séjour (long-stay visa) at their local French consulate; all forms and fees must be presented in person. A visa costs US$155 and allows the holder to spend one year in France. All foreigners (including EU citizens) who plan to stay in France between 90 days and one year must apply for a carte de séjour temporaire (temporary residence permit) at the prefecture in their town of residence within eight days of their arrival in France.

Double-check entrance requirements at the nearest embassy or consulate of France (listed under French Consular Services Abroad, ) for up-to-date info before departure. US citizens can also consult http://travel.state.gov.

Entering France to study requires a special visa. For more information, see the Beyond Tourism chapter .

Work Permits

Admittance to a country as a traveler does not include the right to work, which is authorized only by a work permit. For more information about work permit requirements, see the Beyond Tourism chapter .

Identification

When you travel, always carry at least two forms of identification on your person, including a photo ID. A passport and a driver’s license or birth certificate will usually suffice. Never carry all of your IDs together; split them up in case of theft or loss and keep photocopies in your luggage and at home.

Student, Teacher, And Youth Identification

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC), the most widely accepted form of student ID, provides discounts on some sights, accommodations, food, and transportation; access to a 24hr. emergency help line; and insurance benefits for US cardholders. In France, cardholders can receive discounts on plane and train tickets, on tours and excursions, or at museums. Applicants must be full-time secondary- or post-secondary-school students at least 12 years old. Because of the proliferation of fake ISICs, some services (particularly airlines) require additional proof of student identity.

The International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC) offers teachers the same insurance coverage as the ISIC and similar but limited discounts. To qualify for the card, teachers must be currently employed and have worked a minimum of 18hr. per week for at least one school year. For travelers who are under 26 years old but are not students, the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) also offers many of the same benefits as the ISIC.

Each of these identity cards costs US$22. ISICs, ITICs, and IYTCs are valid for one year from the date of issue. To learn more about ISICs, ITICs, and IYTCs, try www.myisic.com. Many student travel agencies issue the cards; for a list of issuing agencies or more information, see the International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC) website (www.istc.org).

The International Student Exchange Card (ISE Card) is a similar identification card available to students, faculty, and children aged 12 to 26. The card provides discounts, medical benefits, access to a 24hr. emergency help line, and the ability to purchase student airfares. An ISE Card costs US$25; call ☎+1-800-255-8000 (in North America) or ☎+1-480-951-1177 (from all other continents) for more info or visit www.isecard.com.

Customs

Upon entering France, you must declare certain items from abroad and pay a duty on the value of those articles if they exceed the allowance established by France’s customs service. Goods and gifts purchased at duty-free shops abroad are not exempt from duty or sales tax; “duty-free” means that you won’t pay tax in the country of purchase. Fooled you too, huh? Duty-free allowances were abolished for travel between EU member states on June 30, 1999, but still exist for travelers arriving from outside the EU. Upon returning home, you must likewise declare all articles acquired abroad and pay a duty on the value of articles in excess of your home country’s allowance. In order to expedite your return, make a list of any valuables brought from home and register them with customs before traveling abroad. It’s a good idea to keep receipts for all goods acquired abroad. The movement of particular articles across country borders—including some foods—may be restricted or prohibited.

Customs In The Eu. As well as freedom of movement of people, travelers in the European Union can also take advantage of the freedom of movement of goods. This means that there are no customs controls at internal EU borders (i.e., you can take the blue customs channel at the airport), and travelers are free to transport whatever legal substances they like as long as it is for their own personal (non-commercial) use—up to 800 cigarettes, 10L of spirits, 90L of wine (including up to 60L of sparkling wine), and 110L of beer. Duty-free allowances were abolished on June 30, 1999, for travel between the original 15 EU member states; this now also applies to Cyprus and Malta. However, travelers between the EU and the rest of the world still get a duty-free allowance when passing through customs.

France requires a value added tax (VAT) of up to 19.6% (see Taxes, ). Non-European Economic Community tourists bringing purchased goods home with them can usually be refunded this tax for purchases of over €175 (including VAT) per store. Ask for VAT forms at the time of purchase and present them at the détaxe booth at the airport. You must carry these goods with you at all times—at the airport and on the airplane. You must claim your refund within six months; it generally takes one month to process.