Most Americans know the rule by heart: ninety days, then out. Under the Schengen framework, U.S. visitors may spend up to three months in the Schengen Area without a visa in any given six-month period.
Yet, buried in diplomatic archives lies a rare exception: a bilateral agreement signed between France and the United States in March 1949, still in force today.
A treaty that never disappeared
On 16 and 31 March 1949, France and the United States exchanged diplomatic notes establishing a reciprocal visa-free regime for short stays. The deal allowed nationals of each country to remain in the other for up to three months without a visa.
The creation of the Schengen framework did not repeal this post-war bilateral agreement. Accordingly, U.S. citizens may remain in the Schengen Area for up to ninety days pursuant to Schengen rules. In addition, they may remain in France alone for a further ninety days under the bilateral agreement, allowing a total stay of up to six months without a visa, provided that the additional period is spent exclusively in France.
A hidden rule that works
Although the agreement is rarely referenced in internal guidance and remains unfamiliar to many authorities, French border police have been known to apply it in practice.
At Esquisite, we have accompanied a number of U.S. nationals who lawfully extended their stay in France under the combined Schengen and 1949 bilateral agreement framework, with their status recognized by the police aux frontières at exit checks.
This practical reality, however, must be understood alongside an essential limitation: the bilateral agreement applies only to short stays in France. It does not grant work rights, bypass residency requirements, or replace the need for a long-stay visa for those wishing to settle in France.
Beyond the U.S.: other bilateral arrangements
France concluded similar short-stay visa exemption agreements with several countries before Schengen was created. Depending on the nationality involved, these older treaties may allow a lawful stay in France beyond the standard ninety-day Schengen limit.
However, each case must be analyzed individually, according to (i) the exact terms of the bilateral agreement; (ii) how the treay interacts with current French and EU law; and (iii) present-day administrative practice.
Need guidance?
At Esquisite, we regularly advise on the intersection of French, EU, and international law—including under-used treaties such as the 1949 U.S.–France bilateral agreement.
If you are a U.S. national, or a citizen of another country benefiting from a bilateral agreement with France, and wish to understand how these provisions may apply to your situation, our team can assist with tailored legal advice and supporting documentation.
Published in The Esquisite Review, November 2025. This article reflects the legal position as of publication. Immigration rules and administrative practice are subject to change.
