French Visas
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008Dissecting the visa requirements and application process for France has become a significant preflight challenge for flight crews. Unlike many visitors to France, visas are always required for crew members.
Travel to France on the continent of Europe requires a Schengen visa. The Schengen visa is valid in all 24 countries that are signatories of the treaty. However, even in Schengen countries visas are not required for most visitors unless they intend to stay for a long duration. Only France routinely issues and requires Schengen visas for visitors, particularly crew members.
France also has 4 overseas departments that are wholly integral parts of France and considered equally among the country’s 28 regions. The Overseas Departments (département d’outre-mer, or DOM) include Guadeloupe (Le Raizet- TFFR), Guyane (Cayenne-Rochambeau- SOCA), Martinique (Le Lamentin- TFFF) and Reunion (Saint Denis- FMEE). However, the Schengen visa does not apply to the Overseas Departments. There is a specific visa for visits to DOM.
Furthermore, France also has Overseas Territories (territoires d’outre-mer, or TOM) that have somewhat more autonomy. French Polynesia (Tahiti- NTAA) is among the TOM. Once again, the Schengen visa does not apply to the Overseas Territories either. There is a unique class of visa for visits to TOM.
Crew members are advised to understand the differences among French lands and the various visa requirements. Simply, visas are required for crew members entering any French land. The type of visa depends upon the French designation of the destination. Application for DOM and TOM visas can be made when submitting a passport for the Schengen visa. Like many diplomatic processes, it may be a worthy effort for busy international crew members.
Details regarding all French visas can be found @ the French Embassy website. Information found under Note 2 for each visa type makes clear that regardless of citizenship, crew members are not exempt. The French Embassy in Washington will process Schengen, TOM & DOM visas in less than two hours (with an appointment or expediter service).