France entry requirements for Bosnia and Herzegovina passport holders
Checked daily · Updated June 1, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
As a Bosnian passport holder, you can travel to France without a visa for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This covers tourism, business, and family visits. The same rules apply across all Schengen countries, so your 90-day allowance counts for the entire zone.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the entire stay in France | Your passport needs to be valid for the entire time you plan to be in France. Schengen rules don't require 6 months beyond departure, but some airlines may still ask for it — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from the Schengen area | Immigration officers at French airports routinely ask for a return or onward ticket showing you'll leave the Schengen zone within 90 days. Have a printed or digital copy ready — they check this at passport control. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a hotel confirmation, Airbnb receipt, or a letter from your host with their address and contact info. Officers rarely ask for it, but if they do, not having one can delay your entry. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during the stay | Have bank statements, a credit card, or cash showing you have at least €65 per day for your stay. French border police can ask for this at random — I've seen them do it at CDG. | Recommended |
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Airlines check your passport validity at check-in. If your passport expires within 6 months of your entry date, you will be denied boarding — even if you have a valid visa. Renew your passport well before travel.
Your 90-day clock resets only after 180 days
You cannot leave France for a day and come back to get another 90 days. The 180-day window is rolling. Use the EU's Schengen calculator online to track your days accurately.
What happens at the border
1
Arrival at French border control
When you land at Charles de Gaulle, Orly, or any French airport, join the 'All Passports' queue. Have your passport and boarding pass ready. The officer will check your passport validity, may ask about your trip purpose and accommodation, and stamp your passport with the entry date.
2
Present your documents if asked
If the officer asks for proof of return ticket or accommodation, show the confirmation on your phone or a printout. Keep these easily accessible — don't dig through your bag.
3
Receive entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with the date of entry. This stamp is your proof of legal entry and starts your 90-day clock. Check the stamp before walking away.
4
Collect luggage and proceed
After passport control, collect your bags from the carousel and walk through customs (green channel if nothing to declare). You're now free to enter France.
Download France Entry Checklist
PDF · Bosnia and Herzegovina Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 1, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For those who need a visa or want to stay longer than visa-free allows.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year (typical)
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Convenient for frequent travellers; same fee as single entry.
Long-stay visa (visa de long séjour)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year
Cost€99 (~$108 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires specific justification.
work visa
Salarié (Travailleur Temporaire) Visa
Up to 1 year, renewable
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For those with a job offer in France. Requires employer sponsorship and work permit. Allows long-term residence and path to permanent residency.
Apply student visa
Visa de Long Séjour pour Études
Up to 1 year, renewable annually
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For enrolled students in a French institution. Allows part-time work (up to 964 hours/year). Renewable as long as studies continue.
Apply digital nomad visa
Passeport Talent – Carte de Séjour (Profession Libérale)
Up to 4 years, renewable
€225 (~$245 USD) application fee
For highly skilled professionals, including freelancers and remote workers. Requires proof of income and a business plan. Offers long-term stay and family reunification.
Apply retirement visa
Visa de Long Séjour – Visiteur
Up to 1 year, renewable
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For retirees with sufficient passive income (no work allowed). Requires proof of funds and health insurance. Renewable annually.
Apply Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extension costVisa-free stays cannot be extended; must leave Schengen area. | Not applicable |
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays up to 90 days; required if visa-free not used. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry; allows multiple entries within validity. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayFines vary; maximum cap may apply. Overstay can lead to ban. | €30–€100 per day (estimated) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds for stay30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through France
No transit visa needed
Bosnia and Herzegovina passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through French airports, as they are visa-exempt for short stays in the Schengen area.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsCharles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) · Orly Airport (ORY) · Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE)
Health & vaccines for France
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella, flu)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTyphoidConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk
Rare but present in rural/forested areas, especially in eastern France; vaccination recommended for hikers.
Seasonal influenzaModerate risk
Common in winter months; annual flu shot advised.
Foodborne illnessLow risk
Standard food hygiene is high; risk is minimal for most travellers.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Paris
Préfecture de Police de Paris – Direction de l'Immigration
12 Boulevard de la Libération, 93200 Saint-Denis
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Handles visa extensions and residence permits; appointments required.
Marseille
Préfecture des Bouches-du-Rhône – Service des Étrangers
Place Félix Baret, 13001 Marseille
Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00
For long-stay visa and residence permit applications.
Practical information for BA travellers
Country basics
CapitalParis
LanguageFrench
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid. IDP recommended for longer stays.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.86 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h (EST) / +6h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+9h (PST) / +9h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,EType C, E — US plugs (Type A/B) do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Safe throughout France. Ask for 'une carafe d'eau' for free tap water.
Emergency numbers
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to France — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This is a rolling window — count back 180 days from your intended departure date and make sure you haven't already spent 90 days in the Schengen area.
No. The 90-day visa-free stay is for tourism, business meetings, family visits, or short-term study. You cannot take paid employment. For work, you need a work visa or permit arranged before travel.
You must apply for a long-stay visa (visa de long séjour) at the French embassy in Sarajevo before you travel. This is for stays over 90 days, such as study, work, or family reunification. Processing takes several weeks.
For stays under 90 days, no registration is needed. If you stay longer (with a long-stay visa), you must apply for a residence permit (titre de séjour) at your local préfecture within two months of arrival.
Yes. Your 90-day allowance covers all 27 Schengen countries. You can move freely between them without additional checks, but your total stay in the Schengen area cannot exceed 90 days.
Overstaying is a violation of Schengen rules. You may face a fine, a ban from re-entering the Schengen area for up to 5 years, and deportation. Always track your days carefully.
No. There is no visa on arrival. You either enter visa-free (for up to 90 days) or you need a visa obtained before travel. No exceptions.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 1, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.