France
General visa requirements for travelling to France. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.
Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.
Diplomatic visa (Diplomatic and Official Mission Visa)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- 5-7 business days
- Fee
- Free
- Validity
- Duration of mission (short or long stay)
- Entry
- Multiple entry
For holders of diplomatic or official/service passports on official government missions. 58 countries benefit from a short-stay visa waiver for diplomatic passport holders (as per July 2025 French MFA circular). Diplomatic passport holders not on the waiver list must apply for a visa but are exempt from fees and usually exempt from interviews and biometrics. Applications are submitted through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via a Note Verbale. Long-stay diplomatic visas are also available for accredited diplomats posted to France.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
All nationalities holding valid diplomatic or official/service passports on government missions
-
Purpose of visit
Official diplomatic mission, government-to-government meeting, international organization business, or accredited diplomatic posting
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 3
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Diplomatic/Official visa application (via Note Verbale); Form url: https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/visa-wizard
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Obtain Note Verbale from Ministry of Foreign Affairs or diplomatic mission.
-
Document submission
Submit application through diplomatic channels (consular section or via MFA).
-
Processing wait
Processing typically takes 5-7 business days.
-
Visa collection
Collect passport with diplomatic visa.