France Visa Types

There are two main categories of French visas – Short-Stay visas and Long-Stay visas. The one you’ll need to travel to France depends on your purpose for visiting and the intended length of stay.

France is a member of the Schengen Area, so European Union, EEA, Swiss nationals and permanent residents do not need a visa to go to France. Also, nationals of countries in the Schengen visa waiver programme enjoy visa-free entry to France for a short stay of less than 90 days within a 180-day period. For nationals staying longer than 90 days, they’ll need an appropriate Long-Stay visa.

Nationals of countries that are not a part of the France visa waiver scheme will need to obtain a visa to enter France, whether for a short or long stay.

Page Contents

• Overview of the France Visa Types
• France Short-Stay Visas
• France Long-Stay Visas
• How Can Total Law Immigration Solicitors Help You?
• Frequently Asked Questions

France Passport Talent Visa

The passport talent card is designed for foreigners who want to work in France for up to one year in highly competitive fields as global talents. It is issued to those likely to contribute significantly to France’s economy, culture, science, and sports, directly or indirectly, through their skills and talents.

A Passport Talent holder will apply for a passport card similar to a residence permit upon arriving in France. This visa is in several categories, depending on the profession and work activities. They are:

• Skilled Recent Graduates: For young graduates with at least a Master’s degree and professional licence employed as a qualified worker or by an innovative company willing to pay them above €35,526.40.
• Highly Skilled Workers – EU Blue Card: It is issued to highly skilled workers with at least five years of professional experience. To apply for this visa, you must have an employment contract valid for at least one year with a minimum annual salary of €53,836.50.
• Researcher Visa: This visa is for foreign nationals looking to pursue a doctorate, teach, or conduct research at a French higher institution. To qualify for this visa, you must have a Master’s degree and a hosting agreement from the host institute.
• Economic Investor: For foreign individuals who can invest at least €300,000 in France either through personal direct investments, via a company they direct, or via a company they own at least 30% of the shares.
• Innovative Economic Project: For persons with innovative economic projects recognised by an eligible public body. You must provide supporting documentation showing endorsement from the public body and that you’re financially capable of financing the project.
• Self-Employed or Liberal Profession: For persons who want to create or participate in an agricultural, artisanal, commercial, or industrial project or work in a liberal profession in France. You must prove your project’s economic viability and have sufficient financial means to support yourself.
• Overseas Employees on Assignment in France: Senior employees of overseas companies sent to France in the context of work mobility require this visa. You must have a valid work contract covering your stay in France and earn at least €31,973.73 annually.
• Legal Company Representative: It is for persons coming to France to oversee the legal activities of a French company.
• Internationally Renowned Person: Established for foreign individuals renowned in their fields who want to continue their career activities in France.
• Artists and Performers: For artists and performers who want to remain and engage in aid activities in France for more than 90 days.

France Family Visa

The French Family visa allows foreign nationals to visit their family members, spouse, parents, or children in France for up to 12 months. The primary eligibility criteria is that the family member living in France must be either of the following.

• A French national.
• A citizen of the European Union or European Economic Area.
• A foreign legal resident of France.

There are three main categories of French Family visas.

• France Family visa for a family member of a French national: Foreign individuals can apply to join their French spouse, child, or parents in France for up to 12 months.

The visa applicant must provide evidence of French citizenship of the spouse/parent, a French marriage certificate (Copie Intégrale de l’Acte de Mariage), and children’s birth certificate where applicable.

A spouse of a French national qualifies for a 10-year residency card if they’ve been married for at least three years before the visa application.

• France Family visa for a family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss national: Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals coming to join them in France will enter through a short-stay visa. They’ll then apply for a French residence permit (Carte de Séjour) at the Prefecture once they arrive in France.

When applying for this visa, you must provide evidence of family ties with the EU/EEA family member you’re visiting.

• France Family visa for a family member of a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national residing in France: You can also visit family members living in France even if they’re not French, EU/EEA, or Swiss citizens. When applying for this visa, you’ll have to provide evidence that you can financially support yourself or that your family member is able and willing to support you throughout your stay.

If your family member resides in France under a French EU Blue Card or talent passport, you’ll automatically be granted a “private and family life” residence permit. This permit allows you to remain and work in France.

France Student Visas

Foreign nationals who wish to study in France will need to obtain a France Study visa. This visa will allow them to stay in France for their study duration and, in some cases, take on paid employment to support themselves financially. Below are the categories of French Study visas.

• Long-Stay Student visa valid as resident permit (VLS-TS “Étudiant”): This type of visa is issued to international students over 18 years old who wish to study in a public or private higher institution in France for four months to one year. You must have been accepted into a French higher-learning institution to qualify for this visa.
• France Study Visa for Students Under 18 (Mineur scolarisé): This visa is for foreign minor children whose parents do not reside in France. It allows international students under 18 to attend a private or public primary, secondary, or tertiary institution in France for 11 months maximum.
• France Long-Stay Student Trainee or Internship Visa: The Student Trainee visa is for international students who wish to intern in France. The internship must be part of an ongoing professional training programme, such as:

• An EU cooperation programme.
• A training co-organised in their home country.
• An intergovernmental education scheme.

• France Au Pair Visa: This visa is for foreigners aged 18-30 who wish to stay with a family in France to study French temporarily. To be eligible for this visa, you must have an au pair placement agreement outlining your accommodation, subsistence, working conditions, pay, and French class arrangements. You must also prove that you have basic French knowledge and are educated to at least secondary school level.

France Job Seeker/New Business Creator Visa

The Job Seeker visa is for international students or researchers who want to remain in France after their studies or research to take on paid employment or start their own business. It allows the holder to:

• Seek employment and work legally.
• Set up a business or company in France.

The visa is available to those who just graduated and have yet to leave France and those who graduated within the past four years and have returned to their home countries.

The permit is valid for 12 months and is not renewable. However, you can apply for a change in residence permit once you get a job with a salary at least one and a half times above France’s minimum wage.

Other French Long-Stay Visas

There are other Long-Stay France visas for specific categories of visitors. They include

• France Working Holiday Visa: The Working Holiday visa allows young people aged 18 – 30 to enter France for up to a year to explore the country while engaging in paid work. It is only available to citizens of countries in a bilateral agreement with France. It is valid for one year and is non-renewable.
• France Religious Orders Visa: This visa grants members of religious orders entry into France to carry out religious duties. When applying for this visa, you must provide an invitation letter from the host religious institution.
• France Retirement Visa: To retire in France, you can start by obtaining a Visitor visa and residence permit. You can then subsequently apply for a multiple-entry, multi-annual visa. Depending on your country, you may be able to transfer your pension to France.