What Documents Do I Need to Travel to Paris?
Touring tips about the romantic city of Paris are quite important when planning your trip to the great city. Both for those who intend to visit the country for a romantic getaway, or for those who want to discover its rich history, it is necessary to have the proper travel documents and papers. This blog will provide you with the documents needed when travelling to Paris in order to make the visit an enjoyable one.
Passport
This may not be exhaustive but a passport is one of the most important items you cannot travel to Paris without. One should, therefore, ensure that his/her passport must be valid for 6 months or more from the expected date of arrival in the country. It is advised that you regularly should glance through the portions of the passport carefully and renew it if it has expired. Do not forget to take a copy of your passport, it is wise to make one copy for emergency if you lose your passport.
Visa Requirements
If you have a valid passport of any European country member, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, or Lichtenstein, you are allowed to visit Paris without a visa. However, if you are a citizen of any other country that is not the EU member state, make sure that you do not need Schengen visa. This visa permits you to enter the Schengen Zone that encompasses France without any hindrance. When planning your visit, you should get the addresses of the French embassy or consulate in your country and get the required information or request a visa if necessary.
Proof of Accommodation
When you are landing to Paris you may be required to present documents for accommodation to the immigration authorities. This can be a reservations from a hotel confirming your stay with them, an email/letter from a friend or your family member confirming that you will be staying with them for the period of the trip or a rental agreement if you booked a house in Airbnb or apartment. It is suggested that such papers should be brought when coming to the city to avoid any complications with the authorities.
Travel Insurance
It is highly advisable to have travel insurance when in Paris although it is not compulsory. Travel insurance is simply a form of insurance that avails a policyholder from any adverse event that may occur when they are on the trip such as a medical emergency, trip cancellation or interruption, lost luggage, or delayed flight. It is advisable that you select the policy that is most appropriate to ensure that you are well covered while in Paris.
Proof of Sufficient Funds
It is advisable to carry a international student identity card and other substantial documents that may be required for proving sufficiency of funds for the period of your stay in Paris as French immigration formalities sometimes may require to see that you have enough money with you to feed yourself during your stay in Paris. This is in order to avoid attending to your financial needs for basic needs through donation from the government. The essential documents that should be taken include: bank statements, credit card statements and traveler’s check with the intention of illustrating the commitment to meeting all the expenses within the city.
Health Documents
Don’t assume that nothing is needed to prepare for the trip; it is recommended to visit the doctor and make certain preparations before travelling to Paris. Remember to always check the recommended schedules for the routine vaccines that should be taken, and get other vaccinations depending on your travel destinations. If possible, you should check with the doctor or travel to a travel clinic to prepare you with the information and immunization needed for your travel.
Additional Tips
These are among the tips that can come in handy when planning for your trip to Paris:
- It is necessary to keep all your papers, including your passport and visa, in an enclosed and readily accessible manner.
- It is usually recommended to walk around with photocopies of all or some of the above documents just in case the original documents are misplaced or stolen. It is, therefore, important for one to leave copies with a trusted person back home as well.
- It is also advisable to always save numbers of organizations that may be of necessity in an emergency like the embassy or consulate of the country you are in, your insurance company and the hotel you are staying at.
- Ensure, you first check on your government’s current travel warning or advisories on travelling to France before planning for your trip.
Because of these tips and the provisions below, you are in a good position to prepare adequately for your trip to Paris and any other city of your destination. In order to come across as professional, it is highly recommended that all your documents be compiled and proofread far in advance to allow time for enjoyment of the ambiance of the City of Lights.
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