Visa France
Visa to immigrate to France
14,8%
of Schengen visa refusals in 2024
Visamundi, a specialist in administrative travel formalities, works with the best partners to meet your every need. Our partner law firms assist the companies And foreign talents in their plans to immigrate to France.
- Which residence permit or work permit to obtain, depending on the type of profile and the type of assignment?
- Are there any specific requirements for different trades (startupersmodels, researchers, athletes, etc.)?
- How can Brexit made the transfer of people between France and the UK more complex?
- What is therepublican integration program" ? Is a medical examination compulsory?
- What risks does a company run if it hires an employee without a valid work permit?
Our partner lawyers can help you before, during and after your periods of professional mobility and your private immigration projects: from the project, to arrival and obtaining your residence permit, or even your French nationality.
International mobility
Professional immigration
Foreign subcontracting management
Assistance to foreign companies
Tell us about your plans to immigrate to France,
we study its feasibility
Our partners and experts in immigration procedures provide advice and services for securing internationalization and immigration of people, in particular for everything to do with the appeal against visa refusal.
Short-term visas (business / tourism), intra-group mobility, secondment of foreigners, new hires, internships / VIE, service providers, Talent (formerly Passport Talent)entrepreneurs, investors, athletes, artists We are able to assist with all types of immigration files.
Our partners can take care of all the formalities involved in obtaining work permits and assist applicants with theirobtaining visas and of residence permits.
Since January 1, 2026, applicants for certain multi-annual residence permits and resident cards must demonstrate a level A2 (first multi-annual card) or B1 (10-year resident card) in French, via a recognized diploma or certification. A civic examination is also required in certain cases.
Statistics on immigration to France
By 2024, France will have 7.7 million immigrants, or 11,3% of the total population. The population foreign living in France is 6.0 million of people, i.e. 8,8% of the total population.
Among foreigners, 5.1 million are foreign-born and 0.9 million were born in France with a foreign nationality.
Visit 2023, 347,000 immigrants arrived in France. Insee points out that this increase is part of a long-term trend, with a diversification in the origins of new arrivals. In 2023, 45,5% of immigrants arriving in France were born in Africa And 27,5% at Europe.
Residence permits
According to the Ministry of the Interior, 384,000 first residence permits were issued in 2025, an increase of 11,2% compared to 2024. According to the same source, the final 2024 data were published on June 26, 2025 and that the Ministry's annual publication brings together reference indicators on immigration, asylum and nationality.
Asylum
Ofpra published its 2024 activity report in June 2025. According to summary data for France, 153,600 asylum applications were lodged with Ofpra in 2024, compared with approximately 142 500 in 2023. Still for 2024, the statistics of the Ministry of the Interior quoted by European sources point to 157,947 asylum applications registered in France, including 130,952 first-time requests.
Public data from the Ministry show that in 2023, decree and declaration procedures accounted for 61 640 access to French nationality, i.e. almost two thirds of the total. The Ministry of the Interior is the competent authority for these naturalization and declaration procedures.
| A few useful pointers: France has a population of around 1 in 9 immigrants among its population, 1 foreigner out of 11, Recent inflows remain high, with a high proportion of new arrivals born in Africa. |
Frequently asked questions about immigrating to France
How much does a visa for France cost? What are the prices?
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 up to 90 days and cost €60. For long-stay visas, which are issued for stays of more than 90 days, the cost is 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 by using an experienced intermediary (immigration lawyer), his or her fees are to be added.
What types of visa are available for living in France?
There are several different types of visa for living in France. The most common is the long-stay visafor those wishing to stay in the country for more than three months. This type of visa can be used for studies, THE work or the family reunification.
- If you wish to working in Franceyou will need to request a work visa in the form of a residence permit. You'll also need to provide proof of your employment contract and qualifications.
- If you are studentyou will need to request a student visa. This type of visa can also be used for internships or apprenticeships.
- Finally, if you wish to join your family in Franceyou will need to apply for a family reunification. This type of visa is available for people who already have a close family member living in the country.
Whatever type of visa you are applying for, make sure you have the necessary documents and meet all the requirements to ensure your application runs smoothly and successfully.
How do I obtain a visa to study in France?
If you're 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 asLong-stay student visa". 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 a proof of enrolment in a French educational establishment, a proof of financial support and one proof of health insurance. You will also need to provide a valid passport, a recent passport photo and a visa application form duly completed.
Once you have submitted all the required documents, the consulate will usually process the visa within a few days. two to three weeks. Once your visa has been approved, you can travel to France and begin your studies.
After one year, you can request a temporary residence permit student valid for 1 year or multi-year student, valid from 2 to 4 years.
Which countries require a visa for France?
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 your stay.
In dark blue : Schengen area
In light blue : Other EU members and territories of Schengen countries outside the Schengen area
In green : Visa not required for short stays in the Schengen area, generally 90 days out of a 180-day period.
In light gray : Visa required to enter the Schengen area, and to transit through certain Schengen countries in certain cases.
In dark gray : Visa required to enter or transit any Schengen country
Which countries require no visa to visit France?
Nationals of the following countries and territories, holding a valid passport, can enter the Schengen area without a visa, in Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania, for short stays (typically 90 days over 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.
What documents do I need to apply for a visa to France?
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 reunification, internships, studies, etc. However, some documents are common:
- Passport photos in ICAO format
- A travel document (passport), issued less than 10 years ago, with at least 2 blank pages, valid for at least 3 months longer than 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 longer than the expiry date of the visa applied for.
⚠️ Please ensure that all passport pages with visas, entry/exit stamps or other markings are forwarded.
Which is the easiest visa to obtain for France?
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 reasons for your trip, your personal situation And professionalyour 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 "visa de court séjour". 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 will generally 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).
How do I appeal a visa refusal for France?
If you wish to appeal against a visa refusal for France to the Nantes Administrative Court of AppealIf you are unsuccessful, you should first contact the French embassy or consulate that processed your visa application for information on appeal procedures. If the French embassy or consulate is unable to process your appeal, or if you feel that the visa refusal decision is illegal, you can then appeal to the Administrative Court of Appeal in Nantes.
To appeal a visa refusal decision to the Administrative Court of Appeal in Nantes, you will generally need to submit an appeal form. written request explaining why you believe the original decision was wrong. You will also need to provide any evidence you consider relevant to support your claim, such as additional documents or further information about your personal or professional situation.
It is important to note that appeal procedures may vary depending on the Nantes Administrative Court of Appeal, so it is advisable to contact this institution for precise information on the steps to follow.
Our partner lawyers specializing in immigration law will be able to give you advice and help you appeal the visa refusal decision to the Nantes Administrative Court of Appeal.
How long does it take to get a visa for France?
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 time may vary depending on the French embassy or consulate processing your application.
If you wish to obtain a long-stay visa for France, you will generally need to calculate about 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 any delays. Our partners are used to dealing with administrative delays to minimize consular round trips.
What is the purpose of the france-visas.gouv.fr website?
Le site 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.
Le site France Visas you can also check the status of your request to 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 VisasAlternatively, you can 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 website WelcomeToFrancepublished by the French government, is also a mine of information.
Despite this website, it is strongly recommended that you seek the assistance of specialists in this area.This is particularly true if your typology requires a more detailed presentation and study.
| What is EES? The system EES (Entry/Exit System) came into force in October 2025. It replaces the physical stamping of passports with an electronic biometric scanning system for each entry/exit into the Schengen area. All non-EU travelers are affected, including those exempt from visa requirements (Americans, Canadians, Australians, etc.). |
How do I apply for a visa to France from Canada?
Visa applicants can go to the following offices VFS Global à Montréal, Toronto, Ottawa And Vancouver to submit their application. The Consulate General in Montreal is responsible for reviewing and approving visa applications.
How do I apply for a visa to France from Morocco?
Visa applications sent to the TLS centers inAgadirof Casablancaof Marrakechof Fez, d'Oujdaof Rabat and of Tangier are handled by the French Consulates General in Casablanca and Rabat respectively.
How do I apply for a visa to France from Algeria?
People living in Algeria and wishing to apply for a visa should contact the French consulates general at Algiers, Annaba And Oran. These three locations are the only ones authorized to accept visa applications and make decisions concerning them.
From April 9, 2018, the VFS Global in Algiers will be responsible for receiving visa applicants from the Algiers consular district, and applications must be made via the France-Visas website.
Those located in Annaba And Oran must also use France-Visas for their application, and must include all the documents requested on the website. All documents must be authentic.
How do I apply for a visa to France from Tunisia?
The Consulate General of France in Tunis is the only body responsible for deciding on visa applications from people in France. Tunisia. The time it takes to process a visa application may depend on the applicant's nationality, the type of visa and the time of year. It is advisable to make an appointment as soon as you have determined the date of your trip.
How do I apply for a visa to France from Senegal?
With the resumption of world travel after the period of health restrictions on entry, the Consulate General of France in Dakar receives a large number of visa applications, resulting in a slowdown in the time it takes to book appointments and process applications.
How do I apply for a visa to France from Côte d'Ivoire?
The only body empowered to make visa decisions is the French Consulate General in Abidjan, where applications for visas on ordinary passports presented in Côte d'Ivoire are processed.
VFS Global Abidjan is the entity responsible for accepting visa applications, acquiring biometric data, providing information to applicants and releasing their passports once decisions have been taken by the Consulate General of France.
How do I apply for a visa to France from Madagascar?
The only body empowered to make decisions concerning visas for Madagascar is the Consulate General of France in Tananarive, which processes all visa applications.
How do I apply for a student visa for France for a Chinese national?
If you are Chinese and wish to study in France, you will need to apply for a student visa to enter and stay in this country. The procedure for applying for a student visa for France is generally as follows:
- Find a higher education establishment in France that accepts international students and offers a study program tailored to your interests and level of training.
- Contact the higher education establishment for information on admission procedures and the documents required for your student visa application.
- Prepare the documents you need for your application student visa, such as a valid passport, proof of your financial situation, proof of accommodation in France and proof of enrolment in a French higher education establishment.
- Submit your application Chinese visa applications are only processed by the French Consulates General at Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai, Shenyang, Wuhan and the French Embassy in Beijingand only these entities are empowered to make decisions concerning visas.
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