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Visa requirements · updated Aug 2026

Do China citizens need a visa for France?

Visa required

China citizens need a visa to enter France. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.

VISAXSAug 2026
Visa required
China → France
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Everything for your trip to France

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China vs France: passport comparison

China

43

visa-free countries

Global rank: #112 · mobility 97.5

France

126

visa-free countries

Global rank: #4 · mobility 171.5
37

countries both China and France can enter visa-free together

China + France: passport compatibility

48%

of the world — where both passports have the same visa access

Where China and France travel together — by entry type:

37 both visa-free
25 both visa on arrival
19 both e-visa / eTA
14 both need a visa
102 access differs

Where China and France can travel visa-free together

Travelling as a pair with two different passports? Here is the full list of countries where BOTH of you can enter without a prior visa — plus where your access differs.

Only China is visa-free (6)

Your odds of getting the visa: China → France

Visa guides tell you whether a visa is required. This block answers the second question — will you get it. Figures come from the European Commission's official 2025 statistics, broken down per country pair.

5,2%
of France visa applications refused in China
-9,3 pp below the Schengen average (14.5%) — refused less often than average
-0.1 pp year-over-year: 2024 was 5.3%, now 5.2%
453,348applications filed
429,646visas issued
23,363refusals
#111strictest of 118 countries
Where France visa applications are filed: BeijingChengduGuangzhou (Canton)ShanghaiShenyangWuhan

The Commission counts applications by where they were filed — at consulates located in China — rather than by the applicant's nationality. For most countries these nearly coincide, but applications filed there by other nationals are included too. 2025 data. Source: European Commission, DG HOME

How the entry rule changed: China → France

We keep our own archive of visa-rule snapshots and diff them against each other. Here is what changed over the observed period.

The China → France rule itself held steady over the observed period. The context around it did move:

4rule changes for the China passport, 3 of them easing
July 2024 — June 2026our archive observation window

Comparison is built from our own dataset snapshots; the date marks when we recorded the change, not the official decision date. See all changes →

France: good to know

Paris

Capital

Euro (EUR)

Currency

Central European Time (UTC+1)

Time zone

+33

Calling code

C, E

Power plug

230V / 50Hz

Voltage

Right-hand

Driving side

Where else China goes visa-free

Check another route

Documents you'll usually need for France

The usual basics for the trip. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy or consulate.

Valid passport

Valid at least 6 more months

Return / onward ticket

Proof you will leave the country

Proof of funds

Enough money for your stay

Accommodation

Hotel booking or an invitation

Travel insurance

Recommended, sometimes required

Visa

Obtained at the embassy in advance

Frequently asked

Do China citizens need a visa for France?
China citizens need a visa to enter France. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.
Which passport is stronger — China or France?
The France passport is stronger: 126 visa-free countries versus 43. Global rank: China #112, France #4.
Where can China and France citizens travel together visa-free?
Both passports get visa-free access to 37 of the same countries.
What documents do I need for France?
Usually: a valid passport (6+ months), a return ticket, proof of funds and accommodation. Plus a visa obtained from the embassy in advance. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy.
Can visa requirements change between China and France?
Yes, visa rules change periodically. This data is current as of Aug 2026 — always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

China passport ranking

Where else the China passport can take you and how it ranks worldwide.

View the passport