Can I travel to France with a criminal record?

Travel to France with a criminal background

Suppose you are a citizen who wants to travel with a criminal history. In that case, there is some information that you should consider before applying for a visa or travel authorization. This is because often, people are denied a visa because of their criminal history. France, a member of the European Union, will soon use the ETIAS visa waiver program to screen travel authorizations for France. All travelers visiting France in 2025 must ensure they have a valid passport with at least three months of validity starting on the entry date.
After approval, a valid email account is required to receive the ETIAS visa waiver. The applicant also needs credit/debit cards that can be used to pay the ETIAS fees online.
Other requirements may be required if necessary. For example, proof of sufficient funds must be provided for the duration of the trip.

ETIAS Application to travel to France

An applicant can apply for an ETIAS without a criminal record. They will need to fill out the online ETIAS form. This will allow the European visa system to screen the application to France.
All ETIAS France applicants must complete the online application with personal information and passport details and answer any security or health-related questions. You must provide accurate and current information. Travelers must provide the correct and current information as it appears on their passports. Any discrepancies may result in the ETIAS being denied or the individual being turned away at the French port of entry.
For a French ETIAS, travelers must provide their name, birth date, and expiry date for the travel document. Additional questions about a person’s criminal, health, and immigration history will be asked to determine if they threaten the EUminal, health, and immigration history.  An approved ETIAS allows the holder to travel within France for up to 90 days without applying for an official visa.

In case your Application is Denied

Suppose an ETIAS applicant is denied, and an individual is denied entry to Europe. In that case, they will be sent an email explaining that their French visa waiver request has been declined. However, there is no guarantee of explanation. A criminal record may not be the reason behind an ETIAS denial. This could be due simply to an error in the form or incorrect information, such as a typo of name or travel document number. It is unnecessary to assume that a person’s past criminal convictions cause it unless they are currently facing charges. An applicant to travel to France may be denied. The applicant will need to submit additional documentation within 96 hours. This will decide officials to process the application and arrange it in 4 weeks.
Suppose you believe your initial application may be denied due to the answers in the traveling section. In that case, you should apply with enough time before traveling.
Applicants can appeal to the appropriate authorities if they are denied at this stage.