France
France is an EU and Schengen member state. Most long-stay immigration runs through the France-Visas portal and the VLS-TS long-stay visa system, which must be validated online via the ANEF portal within 3 months of arrival. France's 2026 Finance Act raised residence-permit and visa fees effective 1 May 2026; figures here reflect the current post-1-May-2026 official amounts.
Immigration Pathways
(4) Last updated: Jun 7, 2026 · 5 days agoMulti-year residence permit (up to 4 years) for skilled non-EU employees with a qualifying French employment contract and a gross salary at or above the published threshold (€39,582 as of 31 Aug 2025). Serves as both residence and work permit.
- Processing time
- Not fixed; set by each consulate. Track online at France-Visas.
- Validity
- Up to 4 years, renewable
- Language requirement
- No language requirement for the Talent Passport itself; French is required for later naturalization.
- Documents
- 5 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · Eligible for a long-term resident card after generally 5 years of legal residence
- Citizenship
- Yes · Naturalization generally available after 5 years of habitual residence
Long-stay student visa-residence permit for full-time enrollment at a French institution for more than 90 days. Allows work up to 964 hours/year and access to housing aid. Validated online via ANEF within 3 months of arrival.
- Processing time
- Not fixed; set by each consulate. Track online at France-Visas.
- Validity
- 4 months to 1 year, renewable as a multi-year card
- Language requirement
- No general language requirement for the visa; program-specific language requirements may apply.
- Documents
- 5 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · Study years count partially toward long-term residence; eligible after generally 5 years of legal residence (study years often counted at half)
- Citizenship
- Yes · Naturalization generally after 5 years of habitual residence (reduced to 2 years for graduates of French higher education)
Procedure for a non-EU resident lawfully in France for at least 18 months to bring their spouse and minor children. Filed via the OFII portal; the prefect decides within 6 months. Subject to income and housing conditions.
- Processing time
- Prefect decision within 6 months maximum of complete submission
- Validity
- Family member receives a residence permit aligned with the sponsor's situation, renewable
- Language requirement
- French language and integration requirements apply for residence-permit renewal and for naturalization.
- Documents
- 7 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · Eligible for long-term resident status after generally 5 years of legal residence
- Citizenship
- Yes · Naturalization generally after 5 years of habitual residence
Long-stay visa-residence permit for those who wish to live in France without working, including retirees. Requires adequate stable income (generally ≥ the French SMIC) and private health insurance, plus a signed undertaking not to work.
- Processing time
- Not fixed; set by each consulate. Track online at France-Visas.
- Validity
- Up to 1 year, renewable
- Language requirement
- No language requirement for the Visitor visa; French is required for later naturalization.
- Documents
- 5 required
- Permanent residence
- Yes · Eligible for long-term resident status after generally 5 years of legal residence
- Citizenship
- Yes · Naturalization generally after 5 years of habitual residence
