GoFrance Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

1、 Visa

Chinese citizens' visas to France are mainly divided into two categories: short-term residence visas (for stays of less than or equal to 90 days, the "Unified Schengen Short term Residence Visa" is issued for French territories in Europe; for overseas provinces and territories, the "National Short term Residence Visa" is issued) and long-term residence visas (for stays greater than 90 days). Among them, the validity period of the long-term residence visa is between three months and one year, and the party concerned must go to the registered residence administration department (la pr é scene) of the place of residence to apply for a residence permit after arriving in France.

According to French law, holders of ordinary passports of the People's Republic of China (excluding residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) entering or transiting through France must obtain a visa in advance. France does not apply for landing visas for Chinese citizens. Applicants generally need to apply to the nearest visa centers of the French Embassy in China in Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai, Shenyang, Wuhan, Changsha, and Nanjing. Holders of diplomatic, official, and service ordinary passports should submit visa applications through the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or other authorized units (non resident personnel holding diplomatic passports who stay in EU member states, including France, for a maximum of 90 days per 180 days are exempt from visa application). Specific information on various visa application materials can be found on the website of the French Embassy in China and various visa processing centers. If applying for a Schengen visa from other Schengen countries but entering from France, one should be able to prove that their main country of stay is the visa issuing country, in case they are questioned by border police upon entry.

French Embassy in China website: https://cn.ambafrance.org/

Address: No. 60 Tianze Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Postal Code: 100600

French Visa Application Center website:

https://visas-fr.tlscontact.com/visa/cn

city	Institution Name	address
Beijing	Zhongzhi Visa (Beijing) Acceptance Center	11th Floor, Building A, Jiacheng Plaza, No. 18 East Third Ring North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing Postal Code: 100020
Shanghai	Decaux Visa (Shanghai) France Reception Center for Foreign Enterprises	2nd Floor, Sun City, 299 Hengfeng Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai Postal Code: 200070
Guangzhou	Zhongzhi Visa (Guangzhou) Acceptance Center	Room 02-03, 14th Floor, Pacific Financial Center, No. 32 Huaxia Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City
Wuhan	Jinmao Visa (Wuhan) Reception Center	Room 903, Building 1, New World International Trade Center, 568 Jianshe Avenue, Jianghan District, Wuhan City Postal Code: 430022
Chengdu	Zhongzhi Visa (Chengdu) Acceptance Center	No. 16 Huaxing East Street, Jinjiang District, Chengdu City, Western Cultural Industry Center 2505-2509
Shenyang	Zhongzhi Visa (Shenyang) France Reception Center	Room 1401, Building E, Fortune Center, No. 59 Beizhan Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang City Postal Code: 110013
Changsha	Rongxie Visa (Changsha) Acceptance Center	Room 1507, Tongcheng International Hotel, 159 Shaoshan North Road, Furong District, Changsha City Postal Code: 410000
Nanjing	Beijing Foreign Enterprise Jiangsu Visa (Nanjing) French Reception Center	Room 502-503, 5th Floor, Zhonghai Building, No. 39 Qingliangmen Street, Gulou District, Nanjing Postal Code: 210000

Customs epidemic prevention and control

Chinese citizens entering France are allowed to carry the following items that are exempt from customs duties:

Cigarettes: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco (over 17 years old);

Alcoholic beverages: 1 liter of alcohol and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content exceeding 22 degrees, or 2 liters of alcohol and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content below 22 degrees (including 22 degrees), as well as 4 liters of wine and 16 liters of beer (aged 17 and above);

Others: 250ml cosmetics, 50g perfume, 500g coffee, self use articles and drugs.

Carrying cash exceeding 10000 euros (including 10000 euros) or its equivalent in foreign currency, personal items exceeding the tax-free limit, and items used for commercial purposes into the country must be declared to customs.

Pet entry quarantine requirements can be consulted with the French Embassy in China or customs department (www.douane. gouv. fr/demarche/vous-voyagez-avec-un-chien-chat ou furet).

Prohibited items for entry include drugs, narcotics, counterfeit and pirated products, arms, ammunition, explosives, ivory products, dairy products, and meat. Customs will conduct routine spot checks on passengers' luggage and impose penalties on those who violate regulations; The restricted entry items include: medicines, food, pets, and artworks.

Exit tax refund: Non EU citizens holding short-term visas to France can apply for a partial refund of the value-added tax paid when shopping in France upon departure. According to French government regulations, tourists must purchase goods (non food) worth over 100 euros at the same shopping mall within the same day and 6 months prior to leaving France in order to apply for a tax refund. When shopping, it is necessary to request the merchant to issue a tax refund form and present the original passport, provide relevant personal information, and hand over the tax refund form and other documents to the airport customs before checking in. At the same time, prepare the purchased goods for inspection. Goods subject to tax refund procedures must be taken out of the European Union by the shopper.French customs have strict scrutiny on tax refund applications for non personal use (commercial or purchasing) items. Once the relevant behavior is verified, the refunded items will be confiscated and the parties will be charged with tax fraud.

France does not have entry quarantine or vaccination requirements for travelers from China.

For detailed information, please visit the French Customs website (www.douane. gouv. fr)Search.

Residency and Naturalization

1、 Residence

The French Law on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners stipulates that there are three types of residence qualifications for foreigners who have been granted permission to enter the country. The first type is temporary residents, mainly including international students, businessmen, and seasonal laborers (with a residence period of 1 year, and the holder's job search is limited by the type of occupation); The second type is short-term residents, mainly including talent residency (with a residency period of 4 years) and residency for master's and doctoral students (with a residency period of 2 to 5 years); The third type is long-term residents, mainly including family members of French citizens, immigrants, and refugees (with a residence period of 10 years, and the holder is not restricted by region or occupation in terms of employment). The first two types of personnel can change their residency status and obtain long-term residency qualifications with approval. For details, please refer to the following website: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N110 .

2、 Nationality

France began implementing a new nationality law in 1986. On the issue of nationality, the French government implements a policy that combines bloodline with place of birth. To apply for French citizenship, one must meet one of the following conditions:

（1） Spouses of legal persons;

（2） Those born in France to foreign parents (can apply for French citizenship from the age of 13, but subject to certain conditions);

（3） Foreign children adopted by the French and living in France for many years;

（4） Foreign adults who have lived legally for more than 5 years, have sufficient sources of income, and have not been criminally punished;

（5） Elderly people over 65 years old, who have resided legally in France for more than 25 years, and whose children and grandchildren are French citizens;

（6） Educated in France between the ages of 6 and 16, and whose brothers and sisters are French.

In addition, the applicant's degree of naturalization, French proficiency, and understanding of their rights and obligations after naturalization are also important criteria for review. For details, please refer to the following websites: https://www.immigration.interieur.gouv.fr/Accueil-et-accompagnement/La-nationalite-francaise .

France's risk level is blue (low risk)

public security

The security alert in France is divided into four levels and distinguished by corresponding colors. Yellow indicates increased vigilance and is commonly used for daily checks during non stressful periods; Orange mainly targets individual terrorist activities; Red means that multiple terrorist events may occur one after another and seriously affect national security; The bright red color reminds the public that serious terrorist incidents will occur in the near future.

France (especially tourist attractions, shopping centers, public transportation, hotels, restaurants, etc.) is prone to theft and robbery incidents. Chinese citizens in France should do the following:

（1） Be vigilant, avoid carrying large amounts of cash and wearing expensive jewelry, watches, etc., and do not "show off wealth" in public places to avoid becoming targets of criminals; When taking public transportation, be sure to pay attention to your personal belongings and try not to look at your phone near the car door; When leaving the shopping center, special attention should be paid to anti-theft and robbery behaviors; Do not leave valuable items in the car when leaving for sightseeing; Be vigilant against typical eye stealing techniques such as magic tricks, questionnaire filling, and street chatting, and firmly refuse or quickly leave the scene; Try to avoid going out alone at night.

（2） Be aware of the hotel and surrounding area information in advance, and always pay attention to keeping personal belongings safe when arriving and departing from the hotel, handling procedures at the front desk, or dining out. Keep your luggage or handbag within easy reach and controllable range, and pay attention to suspicious individuals around you.

（3） Pay attention to preventing illegal individuals from committing telecommunications fraud in the name of embassies, consulates, domestic public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, and the National Anti Fraud Center. Do not transfer money to strangers.

（4） Prepare copies of passports, visas, entry stamps, etc., and keep emergency contact information of relatives, banks, embassies, etc. for future reference.

（5） If you are robbed, you should promptly report to the police (call 17) and go to the nearest police station as soon as possible to report the case. If there is a language barrier, the police can be requested to provide a translated or Chinese version of the pre report form when reporting the case. After filling it out, the police will issue an official report form. If you lose your bank card, please contact the issuing bank as soon as possible to report the loss; If you lose your documents, please download the "Chinese Consul" app to apply for a replacement online.

natural disaster

France has relatively few natural disasters, with small-scale floods and mudslides occurring in the south, and storms and secondary disasters along the Atlantic coast. The disaster relief capability is strong after the occurrence of disasters. Once encountering natural disasters, one should remain calm, pay attention to timely listening to official information, and follow the arrangements of relevant departments.

FDA

France is a traditional agricultural powerhouse known for its cuisine and abundant production of cheese and wine. The French government has strict supervision over food production, a complete food hygiene and safety traceability system, and a good food safety credit system. Most cities in France have tap water that can be consumed directly. For more information, please refer to the website of the French Ministry of Health and Prevention https://sante.gouv.fr .

Urgent Help

Emergency hotline: 15

Alarm hotline: 17

Fire alarm hotline: 18

air traffic

At present, there are regular direct flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Taipei to Paris. Passengers can also transfer between China and France through major cities in Europe and the Middle East. For flight information, please refer to the relevant airline websites:

Air China official website: www.airchina.com.cn

China Eastern Airlines official website: www.ceair.com

China Southern Airlines official website: www.csair.com/cn/index.shtml

Hainan Airlines official website: www.hnair.com

Xiamen Airlines official website: www.xiamenair.com

Guotai official website: www.cathaypacific.com/cx/sc_CN.html

Air France official website: www.airfrance.com.cn

Paris has two main international airports, namely Charles de Gaulle Airport and Paris Orly Airport. From the center of Paris to the airport, you can take airport buses, taxis, rail transit (to Charles de Gaulle Airport, you can take the suburban expressB line, and to Orlyval Airport, you can take Orlyval), and so on.

For flight and airport information, please log in http://www.aeroports.org/liste-france.html perhaps https://www.parisaeroport.cn/ Search.

France has implemented fixed prices for taxis traveling from Charles de Gaulle Airport to the city center. The "Drive Droite" route to the north of the Seine River costs 53 euros, while the "Drive Gauche" route to the south of the Seine River costs 58 euros.

In addition to Paris, major French cities such as Lyon, Marseille, and Nice also have international airports.

land transport

1、 Train

Trains are the preferred mode of transportation for traveling in France. The railway network in France is very developed, with high-speed trains (TGV) or TER (Regional Rapid Trains) connecting all major cities.

The train ticket price is subject to a floating system, and the price difference mainly depends on the comfort of the seats (first-class and second-class) and the travel time (whether it is during peak hours). Train booking and discount information within France can be accessed through the website of French Railways (www.sncf.com) or apps such as TGV INOUI and SNCF.

2、 High speed train

The French high-speed train (TGV) can reach a maximum speed of 320 kilometers per hour and connects major cities. It takes 1 hour to travel from Paris to Lille, 2 hours to travel from Paris to Rennes or Bordeaux, and 3 hours to travel from Paris to Marseille.

Tickets should be reserved in advance as much as possible, and must be checked at the ticket checking machine before boarding (the orange ticket checking machine is usually placed at the entrance of the platform). More and more passengers are also using QR codes on mobile apps such as TGV INOUI and SNCF to board the train. If there are no tickets or no ticket checks, the ticket inspector will impose a fine.

3、 Highway

The road network in France is very developed, with a total mileage of over 1 million kilometers, of which about 12000 kilometers are highways. French highways are toll free (payment can be made using bank card's near-field payment function), with service areas along the way. Various road guides and traffic maps can also be purchased at bookstores and gas stations.

During peak hours (usually from 7:30pm to 9:00pm, 17:30pm to 19:30pm from Monday to Friday, and Sunday evenings), the entrances and exits of big cities and the traffic in the city center can be quite congested.

Parking within the city (only allowed in underground parking lots or areas marked with the word 'PAYANT' for payment) is strictly restricted and requires payment. When parking on the ground, it is necessary to pay with cash or bank card from the timer installed on the sidewalk, retrieve the payment receipt, and place it prominently on the windshield inside the car. The parking fees vary greatly in different cities and locations.

Please do not park in special areas such as police parking spaces (POLICE), unloading parking spaces (LIVRAISON), disabled parking spaces (marked), taxi parking spaces (TAXI), private parking spaces (PRIVE), etc., to avoid being towed and punished.

4、 Car Rental

At professional car rental companies, various modes of transportation (from bicycles to trucks) can be rented. Depending on the rental company, vehicle type, and duration, renters need to be at least 18 to 25 years old, and some companies and vehicle types require drivers to have at least 1 year of driving experience. Foreigners staying in France for a short period of time need to hold a valid domestic driver's license and its French translation or international driver's license (for details, please consult the car rental company). The main car rental companies have offices at train stations, airports, and within the city in big cities.

5、 Traffic rules

Like in China, vehicles drive on the right side. Vehicles on the right side of the intersection have priority. At intersections without traffic signals or signs, vehicles on the right side of the intersection must be allowed to pass first. Turn left and yield to oncoming vehicles, turn right and wait for the green light.

Pedestrians crossing the road must use zebra crossings and are strictly prohibited from running red lights. Vehicles should give priority to pedestrians when passing through zebra crossings.

6、 Mutual recognition and exchange of driver's licenses between China and France

In order to facilitate the driving of Chinese and French people in each other's countries, and further promote economic and trade cooperation and personnel exchanges between the two countries, the Chinese and French governments signed the Agreement on Mutual Recognition and Replacement of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the French Republic, which came into force on August 17, 2021.

According to the agreement, both the People's Republic of China and the French Republic recognize each other's valid driver's licenses, and one party allows individuals holding the driver's license of the other country to drive directly within its territory or obtain a driver's license without test. For those who temporarily enter the other party's territory for no more than one year, mutual recognition of driving licenses shall be achieved between the two parties. For those who temporarily enter France, they can drive directly with their Chinese driver's license and translated documents without the need to renew their license; The types of vehicles allowed for mutual recognition of driver's licenses include medium-sized buses, large trucks, small cars, and motorcycles. For those who have resided in the other country for more than one year, their driver's licenses can be exchanged without examination. Citizens or permanent residents of one country can directly exchange their driver's licenses for the other country without examination, holding their own country's driver's license and translation, as well as their passport, visa or residence permit; The types of driving licenses that are exempt from test driving include small cars and motorcycles. For international students, both parties provide equal preferential policies. During their work and study in France, Chinese students with their Chinese driver's license and translation documents can directly drive motor vehicles of the corresponding permitted driving types.

water communication

French waterway transportation is mainly used for cargo transportation, tourism, and passenger transport. Among them, cargo transportation mainly transports containers and bulk cargo, while tourism and passenger transportation include ship sports, sightseeing cruise ships, rental self driving and ferry services, mostly limited to inland river networks in major regions, with a small portion in coastal tourist areas. In Paris, you can take a cruise to explore the scenery on both sides of the Seine River.

Urban transportation

Paris has very convenient transportation. The Paris Metro has a long history and currently has 14 main lines, 5 suburban express lines (RER's A, B, C, D, E lines) passing through Paris, 13 light rails, and 8 intercity trains, with a total of over 500 platforms. The Paris metro map can be obtained for free within the metro station. The public bus network in Paris is also very dense, with over 350 routes and around 12000 platforms. You can click on it for details https://www.ratp.fr Search. There are still around 18000 taxis and over 400 stops in Paris. Taxis are priced according to meters, and it is recommended that passengers use small denomination cash to pay for the fare. Before getting off the bus, passengers should ask for receipts to facilitate the retrieval of lost items in the car.

The subway and bus tickets in Paris are universal. At present, the single ticket price is 2.1 euros, and buying ten tickets is 16.9 euros; If purchasing tickets directly on the bus, the single ticket price is 2.5 euros. In addition, there is a Paris Day Pass, which allows ticket holders to take the subway and buses freely within one day (not applicable to airport express lines). If you stay in Paris for a long time, you may consider purchasing a weekly ticket, which is valid from Monday to Sunday. If the stay time is longer, you can also purchase a monthly pass. For ticketing information, please log in https://www.ratp.fr/titres-et-tarifs Search.

Illegal individuals often use expired or discounted tickets to cheat inside subway stations. It is recommended to purchase tickets through automatic ticket machines or manual counters. After purchasing tickets, please check your tickets consciously to avoid being fined by ticket inspectors.

major city

1、 Paris

The capital city of Paris is located in the northern region of France, spanning both banks of the Seine River, with an area of 105 square kilometers and a current population of approximately 2.1 million. Paris is an ancient city with a history of over two thousand years. Due to the fact that the Gaulish Parisians had established a village here, it was officially named Paris in the fourth century AD. At the beginning of the 6th century, Paris became the capital of the Frankish Kingdom. Paris is not only the political center of France, but also the economic and cultural center, with over 70 universities, numerous parks, opera houses, art galleries, and museums. Paris is also an important venue for international events and the headquarters of UNESCO and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

2、 Marseille

Marseille is located in the southeast of France, 770 kilometers away from Paris, adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 240 square kilometers. It is the second largest city in France and also the administrative, economic, cultural, and transportation center of southern France. Founded in the 6th century BC during the ancient Greek era, with a population of nearly 900000.

3、 Lyon

Lyon is located in the southeast of France, about 460 kilometers away from Paris, with a long history. In 1998, it was listed as a World Heritage City by UNESCO. The geographical location is superior, with convenient transportation, guarding the main route from Paris to the Mediterranean coast. The current population is about 520000.

4、 Strasbourg

Strasbourg is located in the northeast of France, 488 kilometers away from Paris, with an area of 306 square kilometers and a population of about 290000. It is the intersection of French and German cultures, and is known as the "European Capital". It is home to the European Parliament, the European Court of Human Rights, the Council of Europe and other important institutions.

Commodity prices

1、 Products

France is the largest agricultural producer and major exporter of agricultural products in the European Union, producing vegetables, fruits, meat, aquatic products, and is particularly renowned for producing wine and cheese.

2、 Price of goods

Retail price of food (weight unit in kilograms, currency unit in euros, for reference)

tomato	five point four nine	Mineral water (liters)	zero point nine eight
potato	two	Milk (liters)	one point two eight
apple	two point three three	Eggs (box of 6)	two point three nine
orange	three point nine nine	rice	two point three eight
banana	one point nine nine	beef	eighteen point eight
chicken	eleven point three nine	Pork Chop	eleven
mutton chop	thirty-two

Insurance Medical

（1） Medical conditions

The forensic medicine and healthcare industry is well-developed, with a complete public health management system and a considerable level of medical staff. Legal medical institutions are divided into public hospitals, for-profit private hospitals, and non-profit private hospitals. There are relatively more patients in public hospitals, and the waiting time for appointments is longer. Private hospitals have shorter appointment times and more comfortable conditions, but they charge higher fees. The treatment procedures for common diseases are similar to those in China. French doctors generally speak French and have some proficiency in English.

（2） Paris Foreign Hospital

1. H ô pital Am é rica in Paris is located in Neuilly, a suburb of Paris, at 63 Boulevard Victor Hugo, 92202 Neuilly sur Seine. Subway station: Take Line 3 subway and get off at Pont de Levallois station. The hospital is about 400 meters away from the subway station. Phone: 01 46 41 25 25.

2. The Institut Hospitalier Franco Britannique is located at 3 Rue Barb è s, 92300 Levallois Perret. Take Line 3 subway and get off at Anatole France station. The hospital is about 300 meters away from the subway station. Phone: 01 47 59 59 59.

3. There are numerous pharmacies in major cities in France that can meet general medication needs, with "Pharmacie" signs hanging at the entrances of each pharmacy.

Customs taboos

1、 Religious beliefs

The main religion in France is Catholicism, followed by Christianity, Islam, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Judaism.

2、 Holidays and festivals

New Year's Day: January 1st;

Easter: varies annually according to the Roman Catholic calendar (usually between March 22 and April 25);

International Labor Day: May 1st;

Ascension Day: Forty days after Easter, usually on Thursday;

Victory Day of World War II: May 8th;

National Day: July 14th;

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: August 15th (Catholic), August 27th (Eastern Orthodox);

Halloween: November 1st;

World War I Armistice Day: November 11th;

Christmas: December 25th.

3、 Common Etiquette

In legal social situations, shaking hands is generally considered a gesture of etiquette. Women usually extend their hands first to men, older people extend their hands first to younger people, and superiors extend their hands first to subordinates. It is common for men and women to stick their cheeks instead of shaking hands. When talking, it is advisable to avoid asking about personal privacy and political topics such as income, address, age, marital status, and children's status of the other party. When accepting gifts, open the packaging in person and express your love.

4、 Special Reminder

The French love roosters. They believe that roosters have ornamental and economic value. More importantly, they like their brave and tenacious character and special ability of morning heralding. They regard them as a symbol of "brightness".

Iris is the national flower of France. The French believe that iris is a symbol of national pride and power.

Communications Power

The voltage in France is 220 volts (consistent with domestic standards), and the plug is usually a two pin round plug (European standard). It is recommended that passengers prepare European standard or universal plugs before coming to France.

Dial a domestic landline or mobile phone in France directly. If calling France from overseas, you need to add the French country code 0033 before the number. To make an international long-distance call, simply dial 00+country code+region code+phone number (for example, for Beijing local calls: dial 00+86+10+landline number).

France has popularized the Internet, and most hotels and other public places are generally covered by WIFI. Through various public service websites and smartphone apps, the public can easily order air and train tickets online and on their phones, and check weather and road conditions information. Mobile phone users who apply for roaming services in China can directly access the network in France, and the SIM card standard of French phones is compatible with Chinese phones.

contact information

Emergency hotline: 15

Alarm hotline: 17

Fire alarm hotline: 18

Number inquiry desk: 118, 118000, 118006

Consular Protection Hotline of the Chinese Embassy in France: 0033-153758840

Consular protection hotline of the Consulate General in Marseille: 0033-491320018

Consular protection hotline of the Consulate General in Lyon: 0033-785620931

Consular Protection Tel. of Consulate General in Strasbourg: 0033-60994464

Consular Protection Hotline of the Consulate General in Saint Denis: 00262-693925807

Consular protection hotline of the Consulate General in San Paolo Piti: 00689-87295620

Global Consular Protection and Service Emergency Hotline of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (24 hours): 0086-10-12308 or 0086-10-65612308

Air China: 0033-142661658/6688

Eastern Airlines: 0033-144860300

Southern Airlines: 0033-153679999

Hainan Airlines: 00 800 87689999 (European Hotline)

Bank of China: 0033-149701395

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China: 0033-140065888

China Construction Bank: 0033-155309999

Bank card loss report:

Bank of China: 0086-10-95566

China Construction Bank: 0086-10-95533

Bank of Communications: 0086-10-95559

Agricultural Bank of China: 0086-10-95599

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China: 0086-10-95588

China Minsheng Bank: 0086-10-95568

Western Union Chinese remittance service: 0086-400 819 9377 or 0086-21-6866 4610

SOS Paris Doctor Emergency: 0033-14707777