France
Top Visa Pathways
Most popular and desirable options for skilled professionals
FranceTalent Passport
Multi-year residence for highly skilled professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors.
FranceEU Blue Card
Highly skilled employment with a recognized degree and salary above the member state threshold. Portable across EU after 12 months.
FranceVLS-TS — Salaried Employment Visa
Long-stay visa for foreign nationals taking employment with a French employer. Employer must sponsor the application.
All Visa Pathways(37 visas)
FranceAirport Transit Visa (Type A)
Visa for transit through Schengen airport international zone without entering the territory.
FranceAu Pair/Trainee Caregiver Visa
Long-stay visa for young people (18-30) caring for children in host families. Cultural exchange program with language learning component.
FranceCirculation Visa (Multiple-Entry)
Multiple-entry short-stay visa for frequent travelers making multiple trips to France. Allows up to 90 days per 180-day period for the entire validity of the visa.
FranceDiplomatic and Official Visa (Diplomatic/Temporary)
This visa is for holders of diplomatic, official, or service passports traveling for official government or international organization duties.
FranceEU Blue Card
Highly skilled employment with a recognized degree and salary above the member state threshold. Portable across EU after 12 months.
FranceEU Long-Term Residence Permit
Permanent-equivalent residence for non-EU nationals who have legally resided in an EU country for 5+ years.
FranceFamily of Foreign National Residing in France
Long-stay visa for spouses and dependents of foreign nationals already resident in France (work permit/residence permit holders).
FranceFrench Tech Visa - Employee
Visa for employees of French Tech-certified companies, with streamlined process and benefits.
FranceFrench Tech Visa - Founder
Visa for entrepreneurs and founders of tech companies recognized by French Tech ecosystem.
FranceFrench Tech Visa - Investor
Visa for investors backing French Tech companies with capital investment.
FranceIntra-Corporate Transfer Directive
Transfer within a multinational company to an EU establishment. Managers, specialists, or trainee employees.
FranceL. 421-14 — Talent - Researcher
Long-stay permit for researchers, doctoral students, and professors hosted under a convention d'accueil with a certified French research or higher-education institution.
FranceL. 421-3 — Temporary Worker Residence Permit (Carte de séjour travailleur temporaire)
Fixed-term work and residence permit for foreign nationals with a French CDD contract, matching contract duration up to 12 months and renewable up to 3 times.
FranceL. 421-5 — Entrepreneur/Liberal Profession Residence Permit (Carte de séjour entrepreneur/profession libérale)
One-year renewable residence permit for non-EU self-employed professionals, freelancers, and liberal professions in France, with a path to permanent residency after five years.
FranceL. 421-9 — Talent - Qualified Employee
Multi-year renewable residence permit for non-EU qualified employees with a French job contract of at least 3 months and a minimum salary of €39,582.
FranceL. 423-1 — Private and Family Life Residence Permit (Carte de séjour vie privée et familiale)
Annual, renewable residence permit for spouses of French citizens, parents of French children, and long-term residents, granting full work rights and a route to a 10-year card.
FranceL. 426-1 — 10-Year Resident Card (Carte de résident)
Ten-year renewable residence card for foreign nationals with established family ties or long-term residence in France, granting unrestricted work rights and a path to citizenship.
FranceL421-11 — Talent - European Union Blue Card
Renewable multi-year residence permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals with a French job offer and a salary of at least €59,373, leading to EU long-term residency.
FranceL421-14 — Talent - National or International Renown
Multi-year residence permit for individuals with proven national or international renown in science, literature, arts, education, or sport, requiring no job offer.
FranceL421-19 — Talent - Company Representative
Multi-year residence permit for senior corporate officers and managing directors transferred within a group to lead a French entity, without labor market testing.
FranceL421-22 — Talent - Accompanying Family
Multi-year residence permit for spouses and dependent children under 18 of Passeport Talent holders, granting the spouse unrestricted work rights in France.
FranceLong-Stay Visitor Visa
For financially independent individuals living in France without working for up to 1 year.
FranceOccupational Trainee/Apprentice Visa
Long-stay visa for vocational trainees and apprentices undergoing occupational training in France.
FrancePVT — Working Holiday Visa
For young adults from partner countries to work and travel in France for 12 months.
FranceSalarié — Young Employee Visa
Visa for young foreign graduates (18-35) from designated countries starting employment in France. Simplified process for young professionals.
FranceSchool-Going Minor Visa
Long-stay visa for minors under 18 whose parents are not in France, attending school or language/sports courses for periods exceeding 90 days.
FranceSeasonal Worker Visa (Travailleur Saisonnier)
This visa is for non-EU nationals employed in seasonal industries (e.g., agriculture, tourism, hospitality) for a duration of more than three months.
FranceStudent Visa (Type D)
Full-time study at a recognized institution in an EU member state. National visa with residence permit.
FranceTalent - Artistic and Cultural Profession
Multi-year residence permit for non-EU artists, performers, and literary or artistic authors earning most of their income from creative work in France.
FranceTalent - Medical and Pharmacy Professions
Multi-year work and residence permit for non-EU doctors, dentists, midwives, and pharmacists with a French health institution contract, bypassing labor market tests.
FranceTalent - Project Holder
Renewable multi-year residence permit for non-EU entrepreneurs launching a business or innovative project backed by at least €30,000 in financing.
FranceTalent Passport
Multi-year residence for highly skilled professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors.
FranceType C — Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C)
Up to 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism, business, family visits, or transit across the Schengen Area.
FranceVLS-TS — Entrepreneur Visa
For self-employed professionals and business creators establishing enterprises in France.
FranceVLS-TS — Salaried Employment Visa
Long-stay visa for foreign nationals taking employment with a French employer. Employer must sponsor the application.
FranceVLS-TS — Self-Employed Person or Liberal Profession Visa
Long-stay visa for self-employed individuals and liberal professionals (consultants, doctors, architects, etc.) establishing business or professional practice in France.
FranceVolunteer Visa (Volontariat)
Long-stay visa for non-EU nationals aged 16 or older undertaking civic, association, or European Voluntary Service missions with an accredited French non-profit.