Visa Types — France
Updated July 20, 2026
Major Visa Categories for Immigrating to France
*Note: France uses a two-step system for most long-stay visas: first the "Visa de Long Séjour" (VLS) is obtained at a French consulate, and many convert to a "Visa de Long Séjour Valant Titre de Séjour" (VLS-TS) which acts as a residence permit for the first year. After the first year, most require an OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) validation and subsequent residence permit renewal at a local prefecture. Costs and processing times are subject to change—always verify with the official France-Visas website (france-visas.gouv.fr) or your nearest French consulate before applying.*
---
1. Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur)
Who it's for: Retirees, remote workers (non-French employers), individuals with passive income, or those wishing to live in France without working.
Key Eligibility Requirements:
- Proof of sufficient financial resources (minimum ~€1,383/month, roughly the French minimum wage/SMIC, though many consulates want to see €15,000-€20,000+/year in savings or income)
- Private health insurance covering the stay
- Proof of accommodation in France (lease, property deed, or attestation d'hébergement)
- Signed commitment not to work in France
- Clean criminal record
- Return travel intentions or proof of ties to home country
Processing Time: 2-4 weeks (can extend to 8 weeks during peak season)
Cost: €99 (~$105-110 USD)
---
2. Talent Passport Visa (Passeport Talent)
Who it's for: Highly skilled workers, researchers, artists, entrepreneurs, investors, and employees on assignment; covers multiple sub-categories (qualified employee, researcher, startup founder, investor, artist, athlete of renown, etc.)
Key Eligibility Requirements:
- Job offer with salary threshold (generally ≥1.8x French minimum wage, ~€43,000+/year for skilled employee category, varies by sub-category)
- Relevant qualifications (Master's degree or equivalent professional experience for most categories)
- For entrepreneurs: minimum investment of €30,000 and viable business plan
- For investors: minimum investment of €300,000 in French business/real economy
- Valid employment contract or equivalent proof of activity
- Clean criminal record and health insurance
Processing Time: 3-8 weeks (varies significantly by sub-category and consulate)
Cost: €99 (~$105-110 USD) for visa; residence card renewal fees apply later (~€225)
---
3. Employee Visa (Salarié) / Work Visa
Who it's for: Foreign nationals with a standard employment contract with a French employer (non-Talent Passport eligible roles)
Key Eligibility Requirements:
- Signed employment contract (CDD or CDI)
- Employer must obtain work authorization from DIRECCTE/DREETS (French labor authority) demonstrating no suitable French/EU candidate was available (labor market test), unless exempted
- Approved "autorisation de travail" before visa application
- Valid passport, health insurance, accommodation proof
Processing Time: 2-3 months (includes employer's labor authorization process, which can take 4-12 weeks alone)
Cost: €99 (~$105-110 USD) visa fee + approx. €50-70 (~$55-75) OFII stamp duty upon arrival
---
4. Student Visa (VLS-TS Étudiant)
Who it's for: International students enrolled in French higher education institutions
Key Eligibility Requirements:
- Acceptance letter from a recognized French institution
- Proof of financial means (~€615/month, or ~€7,380/year minimum, though many schools require more)
- Health insurance (often included via Campus France or French social security once enrolled)
- Accommodation proof
- Campus France procedure completion (mandatory for most nationalities)
Processing Time: 2-4 weeks
Cost: €99 (~$105-110 USD); reduced or waived for some scholarship recipients and specific nationalities (e.g., Algerian students have separate agreements)
---
5. Family Reunification Visa (Regroupement Familial / Vie Privée et Familiale)
Who it's for: Spouses, minor children, or family members of French citizens or legal residents in France
Key Eligibility Requirements:
- Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, PACS agreement)
- Sponsor (French citizen/resident) must show stable income and adequate housing (size requirements based on family size)
- Sponsor must have resided in France ≥18 months (for non-French sponsors bringing family)
- Health insurance and clean criminal record
- Marriage-based applicants: proof of ongoing genuine relationship, sometimes requiring interview
Processing Time: 3-6 months (family reunification via OFII process can take longer, up to 12 months in some prefectures)
Cost: €99 (~$105-110 USD) for visa; OFII family reunification fee ~€30-70 depending on circumstances
---
6. Long-Stay Visa for Retirees (Visiteur - Retirement Variant)
Who it's for: Non-EU retirees wishing to reside in France without working (technically falls under Visiteur visa, but noted separately due to distinct financial proof requirements)
Key Eligibility Requirements:
- Proof of pension/retirement income (recommend minimum €1,500-2,000/month depending on region and consulate)
- Private health insurance (critical since retirees don't qualify for French social security immediately)
- Proof of accommodation
- No intention to work in France
Processing Time: 2-4 weeks
Cost: €99 (~$105-110 USD)
---
7. Entrepreneur/Self-Employed Visa (Passeport Talent – Entrepreneur or Profession Libérale)
Who it's for: Freelancers, self-employed professionals, and business founders establishing operations in France
Key Eligibility Requirements:
- Detailed viable business plan
- Proof of relevant qualifications/experience in the field
- Minimum investment threshold (~€30,000 recommended, though not always legally mandated for all sub-types)
- Registration intent with French business registry (INSEE/URSSAF)
- Financial resources to support self during business establishment phase
Processing Time: 4-8 weeks
Cost: €99 (~$105-110 USD)
---
8. EU Blue Card (Carte Bleue Européenne)
Who it's for: Highly qualified non-EU professionals with a job offer meeting salary thresholds (alternative/overlapping pathway with Talent Passport)
Key Eligibility Requirements:
- Higher education degree (3+ years) or 5 years' relevant professional experience
- Employment contract of at least 1 year
- Minimum gross annual salary threshold (~€53,836 as of recent years, adjusted annually—verify current threshold)
- Health insurance and clean criminal record
Processing Time: 4-12 weeks
Cost: €99 (~$105-110 USD)
---
9. Long-Stay Visa for Non-Working Spouse/Partner of Talent Passport Holder
Who it's for: Accompanying family members of Talent Passport holders
Key Eligibility Requirements:
- Proof of relationship to principal Talent Passport holder
- Same document requirements as principal applicant (passport, insurance, accommodation)
- Automatically granted right to work in France (unlike some other family visas)
Processing Time: Processed simultaneously with principal applicant, 3-8 weeks
Cost: €99 (~$105-110 USD) per family member
---
Post-Arrival Requirements (All Long-Stay Visas)
- OFII Validation: Required within 3 months of arrival for VLS-TS holders; fee ranges from €0-€250 depending on visa type (student visas often free or reduced; visitor/work visas typically €200-€250 [~$215-270 USD])
- Residence Card Renewal: After first year, renewal at local prefecture typically costs €225 (~$240 USD) for most categories
---
Important Notes
- All fees are subject to periodic revision by French authorities and currency exchange fluctuations (EUR/USD rate used here approximates 1 EUR ≈ $1.07-1.10 USD; verify current rate)
- Processing times can vary substantially by consulate location, nationality, and application volume
- Brexit has changed the status for UK nationals, who now follow the same non-EU visa pathways described above
- Always confirm current requirements at france-visas.gouv.fr or through your local French consulate, as immigration policy changes frequently
- Some nationalities benefit from bilateral agreements (e.g., Algeria, Quebec/Canada under specific accords) that modify standard requirements
Have a question about moving to France?
Ask Derah, Immiweave's free AI immigration assistant — plus live exchange rates and research for 57 countries.
Use Immiweave free →
More about immigrating to France
Immigration laws, costs, and policies change frequently. This guide is AI-researched for information only and is not legal advice. Always verify with official government sources and licensed immigration professionals before making decisions.