France offers different kinds of visas to people who wish to travel to the country for a short visit and for those who wish to move there as residents. You can choose a short-stay visa or a long-stay visa depending on your purpose of visit. Here is a complete guide of visa to France.
Short-stay visas are for those people who wish to be in France for less than 90 days. Those who wish to stay longer have to apply for a long-stay visa.
Why France Is A Favourite Among International Travelers And Migrants?
A nation of historical importance, France is rich in heritage and culture. This nation is famous for its cuisine, alpine peaks, and vineyards, museums for classical art, medieval towns, amazing beaches, and the fashion industry which makes it one of the top destinations in the world for tourists.
France is considered ‘the destination’ for lovers of art and artists. The good education system, welcoming nature of the French and quality lifestyle continues to attract international students and migrants to this beautiful country.
What Decides The Type Of Visa To France That An International Traveler Requires?
The type of visa that you’ve chosen depends on whether you are going there as a tourist, a student, an employee, for medical and health care, for internship/training, as a volunteer, or to join a family member.
Visa to France also depends on how long you are planning to spend in France.
The different types of visas to France include
- Schengen visa
- Medical and health care visa
- Visitor’s visa
- French airport visa (For Transit)
- French family visa
- Student visa
- Visa for a working holiday
- Visa for the religious order
- Visa for professionals
- Visa for employment
Do All Foreigners Require A Visa To France?
No, not all international travelers and migrants require a French visa. The requirements for visa depend on the country you belong to.
Citizens Belonging To The EEA, EU, Switzerland
- If you are a citizen of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland you do not require a visa to study, work, and visit or migrate to France.
Non-EU, EEA And Swiss Nationals
- The people who live outside the EEA, EU or Switzerland require a visa to go to France.
- Depending on whether they plan to stay in France for a period less than 3 months or more than that they’ll have to apply from one among the short-stay or long-stay visas.
Short –Stay Visa Or French Entry Visa
The French entry visa/ the short-stay visa is for international travelers who wish to be in France for a maximum of 90 days. Given below are some of the short-stay visas in France.
Schengen Visa
France is one of the 26 European nations that make up the Schengen area. The countries in the Schengen area are
| Austria | Liechtenstein |
| Belgium | Luxembourg |
| Czech Republic | Malta |
| Denmark | Netherlands |
| Estonia | Norway |
| Finland | Poland |
| Germany | Portugal |
| Greece | Slovakia |
| Hungary | Slovenia |
| Iceland | Spain |
| Italy | Sweden |
| Latvia | Switzerland |
| Lithuania |
All these nations have a common visa and there are no border controls between these countries.
- You can enter France using a Schengen visa and be there for 3 months in 6 months.
- This visa does not allow you to take a contract for work or do a part-time job while in France.
- This visa cannot be renewed while you are still in the Schengen area.
3 Types Of Schengen Visa To France
- Uniform Schengen Visa For Short-Stay
- This visa allows you to be in the European territory of France which is mainland France
- National Visa For Short-Stay
- This visa is meant for travelers who intend to be in the overseas territories of France.
- These are places that lie outside the European territory
- Schengen Visa For Airport Transit
- This visa is meant for international travelers who have to make a brief stop at a French airport while traveling to another country.
- You are not allowed to leave the ‘international travel zone’ of the airport
- Not all foreigners require the airport transit visa
- Check beforehand to see if your native country is on the list of countries that require a transit visa in France
- You require a Schengen short-stay visa if you have plans to go outside the airport even if it is for a day.
As mentioned earlier a Schengen visa is not necessary for citizens coming from the Swiss, EEA and EU areas. A Schengen visa is also not required if you are a citizen of any one of the following countries too:
- Canada
- Japan
- Israel
- Republic of Korea
- New Zealand
- Australia
- USA
A short-stay visa is also not required in the following cases.
- If you have a residence permit in France
- If you have a residence permit of any one of the countries in the Schengen area
Applying For A Short-Stay Visa To France
- You require a valid passport with all the necessary supporting documents
- Sufficient funds to support your entire stay in France
- Submit your visa application along with all the documents of proof and visa fee at the French consulate or French embassy within your resident country.
- The visa granted could be a single-entry visa or a double entry visa or a multiple entry visa and could be valid up to a maximum of 5 years.
French Long-Stay Visa
- The foreigners who wish to be in France for a period above 90 days and up to a year require a long-stay visa to do so.
- The long-stay visa is also referred to as the D-Visa or the French national visa
Long stay visas can be used for the following
- To get yourself enrolled in a University/college
- To get a job in the French territory
- To get permanent residency in France
- To join a family who has been living in France
- For research
- To be an intern
The following are exempted from a long-stay visa
- People from the Vatican, Andorra, San Marino, and Monaco
- Nationals belonging to Switzerland/ EEA/EU
- If you have a long-term status of residence in one of the countries in the Schengen area
- Students who’ve been doing their education in France since the age of 16
- If you are a third-country national who has a short-stay visa that shows you are a family member of a French national
All the other nationals must get a long-stay visa to enter France and remain there for a period above three months.
Different Types Of Long-Stay Visas To France
Given below are some of the long-stay visas to France.
- French Student Visa (Long-Stay)
- All foreign nationals who wish to pursue a course in a school or college or university in France require a student visa.
- Proof of enrollment from the college or university is necessary to get this visa
- With this visa, you are allowed to live and study in this country
- International students can also work for specific hours using a student visa
The different types of student visas are given below
Student Visa For Minors (Under 18 Years Of Age)
- For minor students who wish to pursue an education in a public/private school
- Primary/secondary/higher secondary education
- Parents live outside France
- The validity of this visa is for 11 months
Student Visa For Students Above 18 Years
- For students who wish to pursue a degree/diploma/post-doctoral degree
- Confirmation of enrollment in a recognized institution in France
Au Pair Visa
- Based on an agreement (Au Pair agreement) between the host family in France and the applicant
- For foreign nationals who wish to stay temporarily with their family in France
- Aged between 17 years and 30 years
- It is a study visa that allows you to stay longer than 3 months
- You can work for 5 hours per day
French Visa For Interns/Trainees
- To do an internship in France
Language Assistants Visa In France
- You can apply for this visa only if you are single
French Family Visa
This visa is procured to join a family member who is a resident/a citizen of France/EU you have to apply from one among the family visas. Given below are some of the family visas in France.
Family Visa For An Immediate Family Member Of A French Citizen
- Spouse
- Child below 21 years of age
- Your Parents/Grandparents
- Parent/Grandparent of the spouse
- Spouse’s older relative
Family Visa For A Family Member Of Resident In France (The French Resident Do Not Belong To The EU/Swiss/EEA Nations)
- The resident in France has to prove that he/she has sufficient financial and other means to support the family member who intends to move to France.
- The applicant can also provide details if they have sufficient financial means to support their stay in France.
Family Visa For The Relative Of An EEA/EU/Swiss National
- Dependents who are less than 21 years of age
- Spouse
- An older relative who is dependent
- A dependent relative of the spouse
Family Visa For A Person Who Holds A ‘Talent Passport’
- Resident permits will be granted to the family members of a foreigner who holds an EU Blue card or a Talent passport
Visa For Adoption
- Visa for French/international citizens who are residents in France to adopt a child from another country and bring him/her to France.
Work Visa To France
To work in France for a period above 3 months you require a long-stay visa for work. You have to fulfill certain requirements and eligibility criteria to get a work visa in France. Some of the work visas to France are given below.
Visa To Run A Business/Company In France
- This visa allows you to establish a company/business in France
- You are required to submit proof that you have sufficient funds to establish a business in France
Visa For Salaried Workers
- You can work in France for a year with this visa
- Your contract for work has to be submitted along with the visa application
Work Visa For Independent Workers/Professionals In France
- For working professionals like doctors/engineers/lawyers
- Before applying to make sure you understand your job requirements and criteria for eligibility in France
Sports Visa: Long-Stay
- For Sportsmen/women who wish to remain in France for a year to engage in activities related to sports
- They have to apply as ‘salaried workers’ if they are getting paid for their sports activities
- They have to apply as ‘visitor ‘if they are being sponsored by a sports club in France
Visa For International Organization Work
- To do an official project/assignment in France for an International organization
Visa For Doing Volunteer Work In France
- To do voluntary humanitarian work in France
- The organization for which you are working must be recognized in France
Religious Order Visa: Long-Stay
- This visa is applicable for a catholic/protestant Christian priest/missionary to come to France to perform religious duties.
- A letter of invitation from the religious institute where you have been appointed is mandatory
Working Holiday Visa To France
- It is a multiple entry visa valid for a year
- Visa cannot be extended
- Youngsters can come to France and learn about this beautiful nation while doing a paid job there
This visa is granted to the citizens of 13 countries
- Russia
- Uruguay
- Taiwan
- Canada
- Australia
- Argentina
- Chile
- Japan
- Hong Kong
- New Zealand
- Mexico
- Colombia
- South Korea
- The applicant must be between 18 and 30 years of age
- No criminal records
- Sufficient means to support themselves during the beginning of your stay in France
- A return ticket to your native land
- Good health records
To Be A Permanent Resident In France
- Once you have lived in France for 5 years continuously you can apply for this visa
- The required years of stay in France will be lesser if you’ve received a degree from a University in France or if you’ve married a French citizen
- You can apply for a long-term EC card that can be renewed
- Through the process of nationalization, you can apply for citizenship in France
- Once you’ve received citizenship you can enjoy all the rights and benefits of a French citizen including the right to vote.
Understand what visa you require to move to France. Submit a visa application form along with all the supporting documents and the required fees. The visa application has to be submitted at the French embassy/consulate in your native country.
Once the application has been processed successfully and the authorities are convinced that you are a genuine applicant the visa will be granted.
Also See
- Health Insurance For Expats In France – The Things You Should Know
- 10 Fun Facts About Living In France
- How To Migrate To France
- Start-up Visa: Why Paris is a Good Option?
