Visas for France

Visas for France follow Schengen regulations, meaning you can enter for short stays without applying for a visa if you’re a citizen of a fellow Schengen country. When it comes to long-term or permanent stays, securing a long-stay visa and residency permit (carte de séjour) is considerably more challenging if you’re not an EU or EEA national.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is implemented from October 2025, with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) following approximately six months later.

If you're moving to France for work, make sure you to read up on Work Permits for France.

Tourist visa for France

Tourist visas for France fall within the Schengen Area framework. If you’re a national of an appointed country, you don’t need to apply for a tourist visa before arrival when planning to stay in the country for less than 90 days. This includes citizens of European Union countries, the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and others.

If you’re a national of a country not listed, you’ll need to apply for a Schengen visa before arrival to be granted entry to France. The cost for this visa increases periodically, so check the current fees before applying.

Schengen visas

Schengen visas entitle you to up to 90 days of travel within a six-month period to any country within the Schengen Area. If you’re travelling to multiple destinations, you should submit the Schengen visa application to the consulate of the country in which you’ll spend the most time.

You must apply for and secure a Schengen visa before you arrive in France. This process requires submitting a completed visa application and appointed documents to your home country’s French consulate or embassy. Processing times typically take around 15 days but vary, so submit your application well before departure. Be aware that your application submission date cannot be more than three months before leaving your home country.

Useful links

• France Visas: Short-stay visa information
• European Commission: Applying for a Schengen visa

Long-stay visa for France

If you plan on living in the country for more than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a long-stay visa for France. This visa is primarily granted to those going to France to work, study or reunite with family. The application requires supporting documents, including a valid travel document issued less than 10 years ago with at least two blank pages, proof of accommodation, sufficient funds, and health insurance. If you’re an EU citizen, you don’t need to apply for a long-stay visa to live in France for more than 90 days.

The most common type is the VLS-TS (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour), which acts as both a visa and residence permit for up to 12 months. If you’re granted one of these visas, you are required to register with the Office Français d’Immigration et d’Intégration within the first three months of your arrival.

Following Brexit, UK citizens now need to apply for long-stay visas for stays over 90 days, just like other non-EU nationals. The 90/180-day limitation particularly affects those with holiday homes in France.

If you’re planning on living in France for more than a year, you must usually apply for a formal residence permit (carte de séjour) in addition to the long-stay visa.

Useful links

• France Visas: Long-stay visa information
• Service-Public.fr: Long-stay visa requirements

Residence permits for France

A residency permit for France is required if you’re not an EU citizen and plan to live in the country for over a year. You have two months from your initial entry to apply for this card. It’s best to start the process no later than one month after your arrival.

To get a residence permit, you must have entered France on a long-stay visa. You can apply for your residence permit at the Service des Étrangers section of your local préfecture. The required documents for application vary depending on the préfecture, as do the appointment policies. Some allow online scheduling, while others require telephone or in-person scheduling. Expats often cite securing an appointment as one of the biggest challenges in the whole process, so make your booking as early as you can.

Once all documents have been submitted, you’ll be given a récipissé de demande and a date for the required French medical check-up, which is quite thorough and even includes an X-ray. You must take the medical confirmation certificate back to the préfecture to complete the final step of the application process.

A new immigration law enacted in 2024 introduced stricter language requirements. Applicants for multi-year residence permits now need to prove at least an A2 level of French proficiency, while those applying for ten-year residence permits must demonstrate B1-level skills.

You’ll be notified when your residency permit is ready for collection. Some people receive their permits within days, while others have had to wait several months. Don’t be afraid to contact your local préfecture to check on the status of your permit application.

The carte de séjour is valid for one year, and you can start the renewal process two months before expiration. For renewal, submit your application between two and four months before your current permit expires.

Useful links

• Service-Public.fr: Residence permits information
• OFII: Official immigration services

Visa regulations are subject to change at short notice, and you’re advised to contact your respective embassy or consulate for the latest details.