Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | ESTA, applied for online before you fly |
| Where to apply | esta.cbp.dhs.gov (the official site only) |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
France is in the US Visa Waiver Program. French citizens with an eligible passport can travel to Manhattan for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa, but must hold an approved ESTA before boarding. Apply on the official site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Travelers who cannot use the program apply for a B-2 visitor visa instead.
What the status means
France is in the US Visa Waiver Program. French citizens with an eligible passport may visit for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa. An approved ESTA is required before boarding. The ESTA is not a visa and does not guarantee admission.
At the border, a Customs and Border Protection officer decides whether to admit you and for how long. Carry documents that explain the trip. If you cannot use the Visa Waiver Program, apply for a B-2 visitor visa instead. Check travel.state.gov for current rules.
Before you fly and arrive
Apply for ESTA on the official site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov, before booking a nonrefundable trip. Answer the eligibility questions carefully. A past refusal or certain past travel can make you ineligible. In that case, apply for a B-2 visitor visa and check travel.state.gov.
Arrivals at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark pass through Customs and Border Protection. Have your passport, ESTA approval and trip details ready. Expect questions about your stay, return plans and purpose of travel. Rules and wait times change, so check the airport and official sites before departure.
Staying in Manhattan
Carry a hotel confirmation, a return ticket or onward travel plan, and an itinerary. These help show the trip purpose and your plans to leave. Keep copies in a separate bag. The officer may ask where you will stay and how the trip is funded.
From the airports, use public transit, airport ground transport or a licensed taxi to reach Manhattan. Check services on arrival. A 90-day stay does not allow remote work or long-term residence. For anything beyond a short visit, check official visa guidance.
Longer stays and other visas
The Visa Waiver Program covers short tourism and business trips only. Study, employment, exchange programs and stays beyond 90 days need a different visa category. French citizens should check travel.state.gov and the US embassy or consulate for correct category before booking.
Business visitors may attend meetings and negotiate, but not take up employment in the United States. If a past ESTA refusal or travel history blocks the program, apply for a B-2 visa. Rules change, so confirm current requirements on travel.state.gov before making commitments.
How to apply for an ESTA
- Check each traveler holds an eligible e-passport for the Visa Waiver Program.
- Apply on the official ESTA site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov, before booking New York travel.
- Answer the eligibility questions about past travel, refusals and background details truthfully.
- Pay online on the official site and keep the application number safe.
- Wait for approval, travel, then present yourself for inspection by Customs and Border Protection.
Documents to carry
- Eligible passport for the waiver program
- Approved ESTA confirmation from official site
- Hotel confirmation and full Manhattan address
- Return or onward travel booking details
French citizens: questions
Do French citizens need a visa to visit Manhattan?
For short tourism or business trips, French citizens can use the US Visa Waiver Program and travel for up to 90 days without a visa. An approved ESTA is required before boarding. Other cases need a B-2 visitor visa instead.
How does a French citizen apply for an ESTA for the United States?
Apply on the official site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Complete the eligibility questions, pay online on the official site and wait for approval before booking or boarding. Keep the approval with your travel documents. Check the official site for current rules before travel.
What should French citizens show at a New York airport?
Carry an eligible passport, the approved ESTA and details of the trip. A hotel confirmation, return or onward travel plan and a simple itinerary help. Customs and Border Protection officers decide admission. Answer questions clearly. Check official guidance before departure.
Can French citizens work or study in the United States under the Visa Waiver Program?
No. The program covers short tourism and business visits only. Work, study, exchange programs and stays beyond 90 days need another visa category. French citizens should check travel.state.gov and the nearest US embassy or consulate for rules before making plans.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.