Central African RepublicFrance: Visa required

Central African RepublicFrance

Do Central African Republic passport holders need a visa for France?

Visa required

Yes. Central African Republic passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to France.

A visa must be obtained in advance, typically from an embassy or consulate, before travel.

Source: eur-lex.europa.eu (checked September 3, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance5,139 km, straight line (~6h 33m nonstop)

Visa-free access to France126 of 230 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? France passport holders visiting Central African Republic: Visa required.

Visa-free alternatives near France

Central African Republic passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Other visa-free destinations for Central African Republic passport holders

See all Central African Republic destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Central African Republic passport holders need a visa for France?

Yes. Central African Republic passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to France.

How far is France from Central African Republic?

About 5,139 km in a straight line, roughly ~6h 33m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in France?

Euro (EUR).

What is the emergency number in France?

112 / 114 / 15 / 17 / 18.

What time zone is France in?

Paris (UTC+2).

What is the nearest airport to Paris?

Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), about 14 km away.

How many countries can enter France without a visa?

126 of the 230 nationalities this site tracks can enter France visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

What nearby countries can Central African Republic passport holders visit without a visa instead of France?

Andorra, San Marino.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Central African Republic

The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Chad to the north, Sudan to the northeast, South Sudan to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south, the Republic of the Congo to the southwest, and Cameroon to the west. The CAR covers a land area of about 620,000 square kilometres (240,000 sq mi). As of 2024, it has a population of 5,357,744, consisting of about 80 ethnic groups. Having been a French colony under the name Ubangi-Shari, Sango is its national language and was also its co-official language alongside French. Its capital and largest city is Bangui, which sits on the country's southern border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

CapitalBangui

RegionMiddle Africa

Population5.5M

Area622,984 km²

CurrencyCentral African CFA franc (1 USD ≈ 584.37 XAF)

LanguagesFrench, Sango

Calling code+236

Drives on theright

TimezoneBangui (UTC+1)

Nearest airportGbadolite Airport (BDT), 170 km

Emergency number117 / 118 / 1220

UNESCO sites2

Income levelLow income

GDP per capita$556 (2025)

Tourist arrivals87K (2019)

Climate in Bangui

Warmest February, coolest September, driest January, sunniest January. Best time to visit: January, April, May, November, December.

Monthly climate normals for Bangui, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	34.3°C	19.5°C	0mm	339h
February	36.6°C	22.6°C	2mm	309h
March	35.1°C	24°C	32mm	320h
April	33.6°C	23.7°C	31mm	292h
May	31.8°C	22.6°C	87mm	283h
June	30.2°C	21.9°C	120mm	276h
July	28.1°C	20.8°C	111mm	257h
August	28.1°C	20.9°C	244mm	253h
September	28.1°C	20.9°C	284mm	242h
October	29.4°C	20.7°C	102mm	295h
November	31.7°C	20.7°C	12mm	317h
December	34°C	20.1°C	0mm	339h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

The Central African Republic, also known by the acronym CAR, is located in the heart of Africa. The former French colony has borders with six countries and has had a very troubled history since the 1960s.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park
Sangha Trinational

Upcoming public holidays

November 1, 2026All Saints Day

December 1, 2026National Day

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

Full source list on About.

About France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country primarily located in Western Europe. Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the North Atlantic, the French West Indies, and many islands in Oceania and the Indian Ocean. Metropolitan France shares borders with Belgium and Luxembourg to the north; Germany to the northeast; Switzerland to the east; Italy and Monaco to the southeast; Andorra and Spain to the south; and a maritime border with the United Kingdom to the northwest. Its metropolitan area extends from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean and from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea. Its 18 integral regions, five of which are overseas, span a combined area of 632,702 km2 (244,288 sq mi), with a total population estimated at over 69.1 million in 2026. Its capital, largest city and main cultural and economic centre is Paris, with a metropolitan population of over 13 million.

CapitalParis

RegionWestern Europe

Population68.7M

Area551,695 km²

CurrencyEuro (1 USD ≈ 0.89 EUR)

LanguagesFrench

Calling code+33

Drives on theright

TimezoneParis (UTC+2)

Nearest airportParis-Orly Airport (ORY), 14 km

Emergency number112 / 114 / 15 / 17 / 18

UNESCO sites71

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$48,986 (2025)

Tourist arrivals117.1M (2020)

Climate in Paris

Warmest August, coolest January, driest July, sunniest July. Best time to visit: July, August, September.

Monthly climate normals for Paris, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	8.9°C	2.9°C	32mm	138h
February	11.4°C	5.3°C	112mm	148h
March	12°C	3.8°C	70mm	236h
April	19.7°C	7.7°C	27mm	352h
May	20.6°C	9.3°C	30mm	357h
June	22.7°C	13.2°C	48mm	348h
July	25.4°C	14.2°C	12mm	362h
August	27°C	16.7°C	34mm	346h
September	23.3°C	13.3°C	33mm	293h
October	15.1°C	9.2°C	96mm	171h
November	12.9°C	5.8°C	20mm	175h
December	8.6°C	3.8°C	136mm	114h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

France is a country with which almost every traveller has a relationship. Many dream of its joie de vivre shown by the countless cafés, picturesque villages, and world-famous gastronomy. Some come to follow the trail of France's great philosophers, writers and artists, or to immerse in the beautiful language it gave to the world. Others still are drawn to the country's geographical diversity, with its long coastlines, massive mountain ranges and breathtaking farmland vistas. France is famously home to Paris, the enchanting City of Love, where romance dances in the air and every corner whispers sweet nothings.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe
Abbey of Fontenay
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments
Beaches of the D-Day Landings, Normandy, 1944
Belfries of Belgium and France
Bertrimoutier Franco-German war cemetery
Canal du Midi
Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau, Reims
Champagne hillsides, houses and cellars

Upcoming public holidays

November 1, 2026Toussaint

November 11, 2026Armistice 1918

December 25, 2026Noël

Full source list on About.