Visa to immigrate to France

The total number of visas granted in 2021 rose by 2.9%. Visas for the Schengen area fell by 10.6%, while long-stay visas rose significantly, by 54.2%.

This has practically brought the number of long-term visas back to the same level as in 2019 (236,246). Russia rose from second to fifteenth place among the most frequent visa recipients, and China moved up from fourth to eighth place. At the same time, Saudi nationals saw a marked increase in the number of visas granted, and now occupy third place in terms of the number of visas issued, behind Morocco and Algeria but ahead of Tunisia.

Family and student immigration still account for the two largest shares of the total number of migrants, with moderate increases of 16.2% and 16.5% respectively. Nevertheless, professional, humanitarian and other permits saw the most significant growth. Professional visas were particularly boosted by short-term or temporary visas, which had declined significantly in 2020. In addition, the number of humanitarian permits in 2020 exceeded 2019 figures (37,851 in 2019).

The figures shown do not include citizens britanniques🇬🇧, due to the requirement for British nationals and their dependants to have a residence permit before October 1, 2021. There has been an exceptional influx of applications: 96,632 residence permits having been distributed under the "Brexit, withdrawal agreement" permits in 2021.

A visa for France will cost you more or less, depending on the type of visa you require and your nationality. In general, short-stay visas are issued for stays of up to 90 days and cost €60. Long-stay visas, which are issued for stays of over 90 days, cost €99.

There are also fees for other types of visa, such as student visas(€50) or work visas.

It should be noted that some countries have special agreements with France that allow their citizens to travel without a visa. However, this does not exempt them from paying the application fee. Depending on your nationality and the type of visa you need, the cost of a visa for France can range from €60 to almost €100. Make sure you find out about requirements and costs in advance so you can plan accordingly.

Don't forget that if you go through an experienced intermediary (immigration lawyer), his or her fees will be added.

There are several different types of visa for living in France. The most common is the long-stay visa, for those wishing to stay in the country for more than three months. This type of visa can be used for study, work or family reunification.

• If you wish to work in France, you will need to apply for a work visa in the form of a residence permit. You will also need to provide proof of your employment contract and qualifications.
• If you are a student, you will need to apply for a student visa. This type of visa can also be used for internships or apprenticeships.
• Finally, if you wish to join your family in France, you will need to apply for a family reunion visa. This type of visa is available to people who already have a close family member living in the country.

Whatever type of visa you apply for, make sure you have the necessary documents and meet all the requirements to ensure your application runs smoothly and successfully.

If you are planning to study in France, obtaining a visa is the first step in your journey. The first step is to apply for a long-stay visa for students, also known as a "Visa de long séjour pour études". This visa allows you to stay in France for a period of three to twelve months.

To apply, you will need to submit the necessary documents to the French consulate in your country. These documents include proof of enrolment in a French educational establishment, proof of financial support and proof of health insurance. You'll also need to provide a valid passport, a recent passport photo and a completed visa application form.

Once you have submitted all the required documents, the consulate will usually process the visa within two to three weeks. Once the visa has been approved, you can travel to France and begin your studies.

After one year, you can apply for a temporary student residence permit, valid for 1 year, or a multi-annual student residence permit, valid for 2 to 4 years.

Visa applications concern most foreigners who are not nationals of the following countries or areas: European Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norwaydepending on the length of stay.

Nationals of the following countries and territories, holding a valid passport, can enter the Schengen area, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania without a visa, for short stays (generally 90 days out of a 180-day period): Albania, Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (China), Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao (China), Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Northern Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Republic of China (Taiwan), Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela.

The documents you need to provide depend on the reason for your presence in France. The experts will provide you with a detailed and precise list depending on the reason: employment, family reunion, internship, studies, etc. However, there are a few common documents:

• ICAO-format passport photos
• A travel document (passport), issued less than 10 years ago, with at least 2 blank pages, valid for at least 3 months beyond the date on which you plan to leave the Schengen area or, in the case of a long-stay visa, valid for at least three months beyond the expiry date of the visa you are applying for.

⚠️ Please ensure that all passport pages with visas, entry/exit stamps or other markings are forwarded.

There is no visa for France that is generally considered easier to obtain than others. The decision to grant or refuse a visa for France depends on many factors, such as the reasons for your trip, your personal and professional situation, your travel history and your financial situation.

If you wish to travel to France for tourist purposes, you will generally need to apply for a short-stay visa, also known as a Schengen visa. This type of visa allows you to stay in France for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. To obtain a short-stay visa, you'll usually need to provide documents such as a valid passport, proof of your financial situation, proof of accommodation in France and a return ticket.

If you wish to stay in France for a longer period, you may need to apply for a long-stay visa, also known as a temporary residence visa. This type of visa allows you to stay in France for up to a year, and can be renewed if necessary. To obtain a long-stay visa, you will generally need to provide documents such as a valid passport, proof of your financial situation, proof of accommodation in France and proof of your activity in France (for example, a letter of employment or a certificate of studies).

The time it takes to obtain a visa for France depends on several factors, such as the reason for your trip, your nationality and your personal situation. In general, it takes around 15 working days to process an application for a short-stay visa for France, although this may vary depending on the French embassy or consulate handling your application.

If you wish to obtain a long-stay visa for France, it usually takes around a month to process your application, although this time may also vary depending on the French embassy or consulate processing your application. It's important to note that visa processing times for France can be longer during busy periods, so it's advisable to submit your visa application well in advance to avoid delays. Our partners are used to dealing with administrative delays to minimize consular round-trips.

France Visas is an official website of the French Ministry of Immigration that allows you to apply for a visa to France online, which can speed up the visa application process.

The France Visas website also allows you to check the status of your visa application, download visa application forms and find information on the documents required for your visa application. You can also use this website to find information on the different types of visa available for France, as well as the eligibility criteria and application procedures for each type of visa.

Using the France Visas website, you can also make an appointment with the French embassy or delegated collection agency to submit your visa application in person, if you prefer not to apply online. The WelcomeToFrance website, published by the French government, is also a mine of information.

In spite of this website, we strongly advise you to seek the support of specialists, especially if your typology requires a more detailed presentation and study.