Persons outside the EU area who want to enter France must firstly obtain the type of visa they need, so they can prepare for the application process. Short or long-stay visas can be solicited by certain categories of foreigners who want to visit the country for different reasons. The entire visa application process can be overseen by one of our immigration lawyers in France who can provide legal advice and assistance right away. We can also provide support for gaining the French residence permit, so you can simply address your requests to our team of advisors.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visas for EU nationals in France | EU citizens do not need a visa to enter France. |
|
Visas for non-EU citizens |
Depending on nationality, a short-stay visa can be required. |
|
Visas for non-European French territories |
Most foreign nationals need to apply for a visa for stays longer than 90 days in these territories. EU citizens are exempted. |
| Short-stay visa types |
– tourism, – medical, – business trips, – family visits |
| Short-stay visa duration |
No more than 90 days |
| Long-stay visa types |
– extended tourism/personal reasons, – educational purposes, – professional activities, – business, – joining family members |
| Types of visas for professional purposes |
– self-employed or liberal activity, – employment, international talents, – business creation, etc. |
| Long-stay visa validity |
Depending on the visa type |
| The VLS-TS visa |
This is a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit. The holder needs to validate the visa within 3 months of arrival. |
| When do you apply for the visa? | Before departing to France |
| Where do you apply for the visa? |
The nearest French Embassy or Consulate |
| Visa application costs (approx.) |
Examples include EUR 99 for a long-stay visa and EUR 60 for a short-stay visa. These fees can be subject to change. |
| Visa application documents |
– travel document, – ID pictures, – supporting documents (depending on the type of visa) |
| Special requirements for documents |
Documents in languages other than French or English need to be translated into French. |
| Visa application processing time | Generally 15 days |
| Visa for family reunification | Long-stay visa required for joining a spouse, child, or parent in France |
|
Student visa duration |
Usually valid for the duration of the academic program |
|
Working holiday visa |
Available to nationals of selected countries, allowing work and travel |
| Visa for researchers (Yes/No) | Yes, special long-stay visa available for scientific research purposes |
| Schengen visa coverage |
Allows travel to all 27 Schengen countries, including France |
| Transit visa |
Required for some nationalities even when passing through French airports |
| Extension of short-stay visa (Yes/No) |
No |
| Visa for internships in France |
Requires an internship agreement approved by the French authorities |
| Humanitarian visa |
Granted under exceptional personal or medical circumstances |
| Appeal in case of visa refusal | Possible by writing to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders |
Many countries have exemptions for official/diplomatic passport holders. |
| Visa waiver agreements |
France has bilateral agreements with some countries for longer stays. |
| Digital nomad visa in France |
Currently not available, though some citizens apply for self-employment visas. |
| Visa for attending cultural events |
Short-stay visa applies; invitation letter often required. |
| Health insurance requirement | Mandatory for long-stay visas; proof must be submitted with application. |
Choosing between one of the French visa types is performed before the foreign national enters France for those who are non-EU/EEA nationals. This is because, depending on nationality, certain foreign nationals must present a visa even when they simply intend to travel for tourist purposes. The application is submitted with the Embassy or Consulate of France in the foreign national’s country of residence.
Our team can help you even before you arrive in the country by providing you with all the needed information about the French visa types. If you are unsure of the current regulations, rules for entry, and staying in the country for short or long-term purposes, our team can assist you.
In this article, we discuss the main types of visas, both for long and short stays in France and we outline the conditions for some of the most popular forms, such as the ones for family purposes. Please feel free to ask one of our immigration attorneys in France any questions as well as to request personalized information depending on your nationality and particular conditions.
Table of Contents
What types of visas are available in France?
Tourist, student, work, and family visas can be issued for foreigners interested in visiting France. One should note that a French tourist visa is available for 3 months. Having such a visa comes with work restrictions, but with other benefits. Because France is part of the Schengen area, this means that tourists can also visit the Schengen countries.
Below, you can find information about the conditions and formalities for obtaining a Schengen visa:
- the passport must have a validity of at least 3 months beyond the return in the home country;
- a health insurance with a coverage of minimum EUR 30,000 available in France and the entire Schengen visa is required;
- proof of accommodation in France for the 3 months stay is solicited, as part of the visa application;
- information about the return ticket is needed;
- the purpose of your visit in France must be stated in a cover letter;
- financial information in order to prove you can support living in France is needed.
We remind you that a short-stay visa for tourism purposes will not allow you to work in France. Also, instead of dealing with the visa application formalities, we recommend you talk to one of our French immigration lawyers and solicit legal advice.
Understanding the various types of visas in France is important during the pre-application phase. Your ability to obtain short or long term residency in France will directly depend on your lawful stay in the country, as well as the duration of the stay. Long-term visas in France are issued for a number of purposes and our team can help you gather the needed documents and submit them to the appropriate authorities.
France visa types for short stays
Non-EU/EEA foreign nationals will first need to enter France with short-term visas. Irrespective of whether a foreign national knows that he or she intends to extend the stay, having a short-term visa is mandatory for foreigners, depending on their nationality.
As previously mentioned, not all foreign nationals need a visa to enter the country and different rules apply for visiting the French Overseas Territories (Saint-Martin, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and others).
The short-stay visa in France is issued for purposes such as: tourism, business trips, and family visits when the family members do not intend to reunite with the relatives who are already French residents. The short-term visa is also needed for transit purposes if the foreign national will be outside the international zone of the airport (for example, if they will wait for a transfer flight outside the airport or if they need to change the airport to continue the journey).
The Schengen visa for which the conditions were outlined above is commonly used for all of these short-term purposes. The French visa types are intended for various purposes and one of these also includes the circulation visa, suitable for foreign nationals who make frequent travels to the country. This type of visa has one, two or multiple entries available, depending on the case. In the case of multiple-entry Uniform visa, is has the following validity periods:
- For one year if the applicant has received and legally utilized three uniform visas within the last two years;
- Valid for two years if, in the preceding two years, the applicant has acquired and lawfully used a multiple-entry Schengen visa that was valid for one year;
- Valid for five years if the applicant has obtained and legally used a multiple-entry Schengen visa valid for one year within the last three years.
When an individual receives such as visa, he or she will be able to have unlimited stays in France, under the condition that the total time limit is 90 days for each 180 day period. The French authorities determine the total duration of the visa, based on the holder’s particular needs and situation. One will need to prove that he indeed is in need of a frequent circulation visa, for example, due to frequent work travels to France. In addition to the scope of the travel, the applicant will also need to show proof of integrity, especially by means of previously held visas (if applicable).
Foreign nationals who apply for a Schengen visa should know that this is not one of the French visa types that allows travel to non-European French territories. A special visa is issued for these and if the traveler needs to be present both in France and in a non-European French territory, he will need to separate visas. We are at your service if you also want to apply for residency in France.
Long-stay visas for France
French long-stay visas are valid for 4 to 12 months, with the possibility of renewing them prior to the expiry date within 3 months. Just like in the case of short-stay visas, this type of visa in France also lets foreigners freely travel within the Schengen area. As for the requirements imposed, this will be the same as for most of the visa types available for France, mentioning that the application form offered by the authorities must comprise personal information (name, birthplace, marital status, family, etc.).
These French visa types cover several main categories, and they can be issued for foreigners who carry out professional activities in France, join family members or attend specific courses. In some cases, the visa can be issued for extended tourism purposes or for a prolonged stay for personal reasons, such as for medical ones. When the duration of the stay for medical care, for example, exceeds the permitted 90 days, the individual will be issued a long-stay national visa (upon submitting proper supporting documentation that will be examined by observing medical confidentiality).
Understanding the requirements of the various visa types is mandatory for all those who want to relocate to France. Our team of immigration lawyers in France can answer questions about the visas and entry requirements for all foreign nationals, as well as the types of residence permits in France (for short-term and long-term stays). You can reach out to us as soon as you decide to move to the country for your long-term stay.
Remaining in France for long-term purposes under one of the types of visas described in this article can allow the holder to obtain French nationality under the naturalization process, in most cases (with the other option being through a declaration of nationality, when the applicant has French lineage). Certain conditions apply to both of the possible ways to obtain citizenship in France and our team can give you more details.
We invite you to watch a video on the main types of visas in France:
Student visas for foreigners in France
Foreign students can attend prestigious universities in France as long as they respect the visa requirements and conditions. Short-stay and long-stay student visas are available for foreign citizens and issued in accordance with the length of the courses in France. The formalities are the same as for most of the visas, except the fact that the university or college will have to provide the letter of approval, as part of the visa application. Moreover, the chosen college or university must provide information about the campus accommodation, if it is the case. Otherwise, if the foreign student will live with the family in France, proof of this kind of accommodation is needed. Find below the main options for student visas in France:
- Long-stay student visa (VLS-TS “Étudiant”): for international students aged 18 and older accepted into a French higher education institution, valid for 4 to 12 months;
- Study visa for minors (mineur scolarisé): designed for foreign minors whose parents are not in France, allowing them to study in public or private institutions for up to 11 months;
- Long-stay student trainee/internship visa: for international students undertaking internships as part of a training program, which may include EU programs or intergovernmental education schemes;
- “Au pair” visa: for individuals aged 18-30 wanting to stay with a French family temporarily to study the language, requiring a placement agreement and proof of basic French skills and secondary education.
The French visa for professional activities
This is a type of visa in France that allows the holder to engage in professional activities in several categories, such as self-employed, employee, or investor. Self-employed individuals who hold the visa can travel to the country for business purposes that may have to do with their commercial obligations when they are shareholders or founders in a French resident company. There are several categories of work visas in France, each with specific requirements:
- Salaried employees visa: for foreigners relocating to France through the acceptance of long-term salaried positions in French companies. A work contract approved by the DREETS is required;
- Professionals and independent workers visa: for various professionals starting independent practices. Note that non-EU nationals may need permission for certain professions, such as healthcare or legal fields;
- Long-stay sports visa: for athletes engaged in paid sports activities in France. Unpaid athletes must apply for a long-stay visitor visa, sponsored by the sports institution;
- International organization work visa: for individuals assigned to work with international organizations;
- Long-stay volunteer work visa: for those doing humanitarian work in France for three months to one year, initiated through a recognized French charity or association.
The long-stay visa for employees allows foreign nationals to respond to recruitment announcements posted by a French company as well as work as seasonal workers, engage in teaching activities or work as professional assistants or collaborate with a French modeling agency. Other professions and internships are also included. We suggest reaching out to our immigration attorneys in France if you are interested in applying for this type of visa.
French family visas
Joining the family in France as a non-EU/EEA citizen is not complex if the necessary visa is obtained. Short or long-stay visas are normally required in this case, depending on the length of stay in France. The residence permit in France is then issued by the prefecture, as soon as information about the accommodation in France is offered to the authorities. There are three main types of family visas for those interested in moving to France:
- For family members of a French national: this visa allows foreign nationals to join their French spouse, child, or parent. Evidence of French citizenship and family ties (e.g., marriage and birth certificates) is required. Spouses of French nationals can qualify for a 10-year residency in France card if married for at least three years;
- For family members of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals: in this case, applicants get a short-stay visa and must apply for a residence permit upon arrival in France, providing proof of family ties;
- For family members of non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals living in France: this visa requires applicants to show they can support themselves or that their family member will provide financial support. If the family member holds a French EU Blue Card or talent passport, the applicant is granted a residence permit in France that also allows them to work in this country.
With the help of our French immigration lawyers, you can receive complete legal services and support for the entire visa application process, regardless of the purpose of your visit to France.
France immigration statistics
We have gathered information about the population and immigration in France that might attract your attention:
- around 66 million is the population in France, according to worldometers.info;
- the population of France represents around 0.82% of the total population of the world;
- Approximately 320,000 immigrants from non-EU areas were registered in France in 2023, representing a growth of 1.4% compared to 2022;
- 97,288 foreigners gained French citizenship in 2023.
All the details about the types of visas available in France can be solicited from our team of immigration lawyers in France. Please feel free to contact our advisors at any time and ask for legal advice.
