France: Visa options and requirements

French visas are categorized into Short-Stay visas and Long-Stay visas, depending on the purpose of the visit and the intended length of stay. 

Foreign nationals wanting to reside in France for more than 90 days, whether for personal reasons (such as family reunions) or professional reasons (such as taking up paid employment), need to apply for a Long-Stay visa through the French consulate in their country of residence. Upon approval and arrival in France, the visa holder must register for a resident permit with the French authorities.

Understanding the visa options in France helps employers, HR and mobility professionals manage international moves more efficiently. This guide provides an overview of the main Long-Stay visa types and their requirements.

Long-Stay Work Visas

The French Work Visa is issued to foreign nationals looking to stay in France for three months to one year to engage in paid activities. Different categories of Work visas exist, each with specific requirements:

French Salaried Employees Visa

For long-term salaried employment in a French company. Applicants must submit a work contract endorsed by the regional directorates for the economy, labor, employment, and solidarity (DREETS).

France Passport Talent Visa

This visa aims to attract individuals who can significantly contribute to France’s economy, culture, science, and sports. 

A Passport Talent holder will apply for a passport card similar to a residence permit upon arriving in France. This visa is valid for up to four years and includes multiple categories:

-> Skilled Recent Graduates: For graduates with at least a Master’s degree and professional license, and employed as qualified workers or by innovative companies paying above €35,526.40 annually.

-> Highly Skilled Workers – EU Blue Card: For highly skilled workers with at least five years of experience and a contract valid for at least one year and a minimum annual salary of €53,836.50. 

-> Researcher Visa: For individuals pursuing doctorates, teaching, or conducting research in France. Requires a Master’s degree and a hosting agreement.

-> Economic Investor: For individuals investing at least €300,000 in France through direct investments, company ownership, or shareholding.

-> Innovative Economic Project: For those with recognized innovative economic projects, recognized by a public body.

-> Self-Employed or Liberal Profession: For individuals who want to create or participate in agricultural, artisanal, commercial, or industrial projects, or liberal professions. Requires proof of economic viability and financial means.

-> Overseas Employees on Assignment in France: For senior employees of overseas companies on work mobility in France. Requires a valid work contract and an annual salary of at least €31,973.73.

-> Legal Company Representative: For individuals overseeing the legal activities of a French company.

-> Internationally Renowned Person: For renowned foreign professionals continuing their careers in France.

-> Artists and Performers Visa: For artists and performers engaging in artistic activities for more than 90 days.

French Professionals and Independent Workers Visa

For professionals starting independent practices. Non-EU nationals are restricted from certain professions, and some, like architects and doctors, need authorization from professional bodies.

French Long-Stay Sports Visa

For athletes engaging in salaried sports activities. 

France International Organization Work Visa

For individuals on official assignments with international organizations in France.

Long-Stay France Work Visa and Permit Criteria

Applicant: Highly Skilled Employees

Eligibility criteria:

• A permanent or fixed-term employment contract for at least 12 months with an employer established in France.
• A qualification awarded after at least three years of higher education or documents proving five years of professional experience.
• Gross annual pay of at least 1.5 times the average annual gross salary set by decree, i.e., €53,836.50 as of January 1, 2024.
  
  Holders of a European Union Blue Card granted by another EU Member State, provided they lived there for at least 18 months, may be issued with this type of residence permit if they apply within one month of entering France.

Residence permit: Talent Passport – European Union Blue Card multi-year residence permit

Duration of residence permit: Up to 4 years, renewable

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Applicant: Employees Transferred Within a Group (French Contract)

Eligibility criteria:

• An employment contract with the subsidiary in France.
• At least three months' service in the group to which the employing company belongs.
• Gross annual pay of at least 1.8 times the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), i.e., €38,165.40 as of January 1, 2024.

Residence permit: Talent Passport – Employee on assignment multi-year residence permit

Duration of residence permit: Up to 4 years, renewable. Does not entitle the holder to apply for a residence permit after 5 years of regular residence in France.

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Applicant: Qualified Employees

Eligibility criteria:

• Gross annual pay of at least twice the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), i.e., €42,406 as of January 1, 2024.
• A permanent or fixed-term employment contract for at least three months with an employer established in France.
• A qualification equivalent to a master’s degree obtained in France.

Residence permit: Talent Passport – Qualified employee/Employee of a JEI/ Employee of an innovative company multi-year residence permit

Duration of residence permit: Up to 4 years, renewable

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Applicant: Employees of an Innovative New Company (Jeune Entreprise Innovante - JEI)

Eligibility criteria:

• Gross annual pay of at least twice the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), i.e., €42,406 as of January 1, 2024.
• A permanent or fixed-term employment contract for at least three months with an employer established in France.
• Active participation in the R&D project and development of the company.
• Employer’s status as an innovative new company (JEI) (i.e., the firm is less than eight years old, has a workforce of fewer than 250 employees, and a turnover of less than €50 million).

Residence permit: Talent Passport – Qualified employee/Employee of a JEI/ Employee of an innovative company multi-year residence permit

Duration of residence permit: Up to 4 years, renewable

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Applicant: French Tech Visa for Employees

Eligibility criteria:

• Gross annual pay of at least twice the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), i.e., €42,406 as of January 1, 2024.
• A permanent or fixed-term employment contract for at least three months with an employer established in France.
• Active participation in the R&D project and development of the company or any active link with the economic, social, international, and environmental development of the project.

Residence permit: Talent Passport – Qualified employee/Employee of a JEI/ Employee of an innovative company multi-year residence permit

Duration of residence permit: Up to 4 years, renewable

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Applicant: Employee Hired on a Permanent Employment Contract (“CDI”), Excluding Talent Passport

Eligibility criteria:

• A permanent employment contract.
• A work permit granted in advance.

Residence permit: Long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS) or temporary residence permit marked

Duration of residence permit: One year, renewable

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Applicant: Employee Hired on a Fixed-Term Employment Contract (CDD), Excluding Talent Passport

• Eligibility criteria:some text
  • A fixed-term employment contract.
  • A work permit granted in advance.
• Residence permit: Long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS) or temporary residence permit marked
• Duration of residence permit: Duration of contract, renewable for a period equal to that of the fixed-term contract or the new fixed-term contract

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Applicant: Employee of Algerian Nationality

• Eligibility criteria:some text
  • An employment contract.
  • A work permit granted in advance.
• Residence permit: A certificate of residence for “Employees”
• Duration of residence permit: One year, renewable

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Long-Stay France Job Seeker/New business creator Visa

This visa is for recent graduates and researchers who have resided in France with a student or researcher talent passport permit:

-> students who have resided in France with a student residence permit and have obtained: a Licence Professionelle (vocational degree); a master’s degree or equivalent (such as an engineering degree, a degree from an institute of political studies (IEP), a higher diploma in accounting and management, etc.), a specialized Master’s degree; a Master of Sciences (MSc) accredited by the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles.

-> researchers who have resided in France with a researcher talent passport residence permit and have completed their research mission.

It allows the holder to seek employment, work legally, and set up a business in a field related to their training or research. The permit is valid for 12 months and is non-renewable, but the holder can apply for a different residence permit upon securing a job with a salary at least 1.5 times the minimum wage or establishing a company.

France Student Visas

Foreign nationals wishing to study in France need a Study visa. This visa permits them to stay for the duration of their studies and, in some cases, take on paid employment:

Two of the most popular options for French Study visas are:

1. Long-Stay Student Visa (VLS-TS “Étudiant”): For students over 18 accepted into a French higher institution, valid for four months to one year.

2. France Long-Stay Student Trainee or Internship Visa: For students undertaking internships as part of an ongoing professional training program.

Long-Stay France Family Visa

The French Family visa allows foreign nationals to visit family members in France for up to 12 months. The family member in France must be either:

• A French national
• A citizen of the European Union or European Economic Area
• A foreign legal resident of France

Categories of French Family Visas

1. Family Visa for a Family Member of a French National

• Eligibility criteria:some text
  • Spouse, child, or parent of a French national
  • Evidence of French citizenship (e.g., French marriage certificate, children's birth certificate)
• Residence permit:some text
  • A spouse may qualify for a 10-year residency card if married for at least three years before the visa application

2. Family Visa for a Family Member of an EU/EEA/Swiss National

• Eligibility criteria:some text
  • Family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss national
  • Evidence of family ties with the EU/EEA family member
• Residence permit:some text
  • Apply for a French residence permit (Carte de Séjour) at the Prefecture after arrival

3. Family Visa for a Family Member of a Non-EU/EEA/Swiss National Residing in France

• Eligibility criteria:some text
  • Family member of a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national residing in France
  • Evidence of financial support (either self-support or support from the family member in France)
  • Family member in France must have a French EU Blue Card or talent passport
• Residence permit:some text
  • Granted a “private and family life” residence permit, allowing the holder to remain and work in France

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This blog post is intended for informational purposes only. The appropriate visa or permit for an individual will be determined based on their specific circumstances and eligibility criteria. 

Jobbatical provides expert assistance and end-to-end support with visa applications and relocation in France. Our team handles all the details, ensuring a smooth transition for both employers and employees. Learn more about our services and how we can assist with your relocation needs here.