Moving to France can be an exciting new chapter—whether you’re pursuing a career, studying at a university, starting a business, or joining loved ones abroad.
But before you can enjoy life in France, there’s one essential hurdle: navigating the visa application process.
For many, applying for a French visa feels overwhelming.
There are forms to fill out, documents to collect, and strict requirements to meet (plus the risk of delays if anything goes wrong).
Visa rules also vary depending on your reason for moving, which makes it even more important to understand your options from the start.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Which French visa you need based on your goals
- What each visa type requires (from documents to health insurance)
- How long the process takes and what steps to take
- What happens after your visa is approved
- And the most common mistakes to avoid
By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to follow—so you can apply with confidence and focus on what matters most: your new life in France.
Why are you moving abroad?
Before diving into paperwork and requirements, the first (and arguably most important) step in the visa process is understanding why you’re moving to France.
Visa categories are designed around intent.
Someone coming for a short-term holiday will follow a very different process than someone relocating to launch a solo-entrepreneur business, study at a French university, join a spouse, or retire.
Your purpose for moving directly influences which visa you’ll need, what documents you’ll have to prepare, and the kind of health insurance coverage required for your application to be approved.
We’ve seen how this first step—defining your purpose—can shape the entire visa process. It determines which application route you take, what documents you’ll need, and how to get health insurance.
If you’re feeling uncertain, working with relocation specialists can be a helpful way to clarify your goals and ensure you’re following the right path.
Once your visa type is confirmed, companies like Feather can assist with visa-compliant health insurance to help you meet the application requirements smoothly and efficiently.
The most common visa types explained
Each country has its own naming system, but here are the main visa categories you’re likely to come across in France:
Tourist and Short-Stay Visas
If your stay will be 90 days or less and you’re visiting for tourism, business meetings, or family visits, you’ll likely need a Short-Stay Visa.
In France and much of Europe, this is known as the Schengen Visa (Type C).
It allows travel throughout the 26 countries of the Schengen Area, but it does not permit work or long-term study.
Student Visas
Planning to attend university or language school? You’ll need a Long-Stay Student Visa, known in France as the Visa de Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour (VLS-TS) – Étudiant(e).
To qualify, you’ll need:
- Proof of enrollment
- Accommodation
- Sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your studies.
This visa often allows part-time work during your time in France (up to 20 hours per week), and in some cases, it can lead to long-term residency.
Work Visas
If you’ve secured a job offer abroad, a Work Visa is likely your path forward.
In France, the most common version is the VLS-TS Salarié, which is tied to an employment contract.
There’s also a VLS-TS Travailleur Temporaire for shorter-term contracts.
Highly skilled professionals working in a specialized field might qualify for the EU Blue Card, which offers more flexibility and mobility across EU countries.
Freelancer and Self-Employment Visas
If you’re self-employed, a freelancer, or a digital nomad, you may qualify for a Profession Libérale Visa in France.
This long-stay visa is tailored to independent workers who can demonstrate financial stability and a viable business or freelance activity.
France also offers a variation for entrepreneurs under the Passeport Talent – Créateur d’Entreprise, which is ideal for business founders and startup builders.
In some countries, dedicated Digital Nomad Visas are now available, allowing remote workers to live abroad while working for foreign clients or companies.
Family Reunification Visas
If you’re joining a family member such as a spouse, parent, or child, you’ll need a Family Reunification Visa, known in France as the Visa Vie Privée et Familiale.
You must prove your relationship and, in most cases, that your sponsor can financially support your stay.
This visa can often lead to residency rights and, eventually, naturalization depending on your status and duration of stay.
Talent and Investor Visas
For entrepreneurs, investors, and highly skilled professionals, France offers the Passeport Talent. This visa includes several subcategories, such as:
- Skilled Employees
- Researchers
- Founders of Innovative Startups
- Artists and Performers
- Economic Investors
These visas often come with streamlined processing and residency benefits, making them attractive to those who contribute to the local economy or cultural sector.
How to apply for a French visa
No matter which visa you’re applying for, the success of your application will largely depend on the completeness and accuracy of your documentation.
Below is a breakdown of the core documents typically required for most visa types:
- Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay. If your passport is set to expire soon, renew it before applying. Many embassies will automatically reject applications based on short passport validity.
- Completed visa application form: Every country requires a visa application form, usually filled out online or downloaded from the official embassy or consulate website. It’s essential to answer all questions honestly and completely, as missing or inconsistent information can lead to delays.
- Passport-Sized Photos: These must meet specific guidelines, typically in terms of size, background color, and facial expression. It’s a small detail, but incorrect photo specs are a surprisingly common reason for application rejection.
- Proof of purpose: This is what justifies your stay, as authorities require clear documentation to verify that your reason for entering the country is valid and verifiable. It could be:
- A job contract or offer letter for a work visa
- A university enrollment letter for a student visa
- A marriage certificate or birth certificate for a family visa
- A job contract or offer letter for a work visa
- Proof of financial means: You will need to demonstrate that you can financially support yourself during your stay. This might include recent bank statements, pay slips, a contract showing income, or a letter of financial sponsorship. Most countries require proof of a minimum monthly income (recommended 1800€/month) or savings threshold.
- Proof of accommodation: Whether it’s a signed rental lease, hotel reservation, or letter from a host, you need to demonstrate where you’ll be staying upon arrival. For long-stay visas, French embassies often prefer a more permanent housing arrangement.
- Criminal background check: This isn’t always required, but many long-stay or residency visas will request a recent police certificate to verify that you don’t have a serious criminal record. This must usually be issued by your home country (or any country where you have lived for 6 months or more recently).
- Valid health insurance: One of the most critical components, especially for long-stay visas. Many countries, including France, require proof of comprehensive health insurance that covers emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation.
Health insurance is a key requirement for most French long-stay visas. Your coverage must include emergency care, hospitalization, and repatriation and it needs to meet strict local standards.
At Feather, we offer expat-focused plans specifically designed to meet the requirements of French visas. With a fast, 100% digital process, you’ll get your visa-compliant certificate in minutes, making your application smoother and more secure.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the most well-prepared applicants can run into unexpected issues during the visa process.
These are some of the most common mistakes we’ve seen and the reasons they can seriously impact your relocation plans:
- Applying for the wrong visa category: Each visa is designed for a specific purpose, such as work, study, family, or freelance. Applying under the wrong category can lead to an automatic rejection, even if your intentions are genuine. It’s essential to match your application with the correct visa type based on your long-term goals.
- Submitting outdated or incomplete documents: Missing bank statements, an expired passport, or unsigned forms are all small errors that can have big consequences. Immigration authorities are strict about documentation, and even minor omissions can delay or derail your application entirely.
- Underestimating visa processing times: Some visas can take weeks (or even months) to process. Many applicants underestimate this and end up in a stressful race against the clock. Always apply early and factor in time for unexpected delays, especially during peak travel or holiday seasons.
- Booking non-refundable travel before receiving a decision: While it’s tempting to book flights or accommodations in advance, doing so before your visa is approved can be risky. If your visa is delayed or denied, you may lose money on bookings that you cannot use. Always buy a refundable ticket in case of any delays during the process.
- Forgetting to validate or register your visa after arrival: In France, long-stay visa holders are required to validate their visa (e.g., the VLS-TS) within a specific timeframe, typically within the first three months. Failing to do so can put your legal status at risk, even if your visa was approved.
Working with visa, immigration, and relocation specialists (we’ve heard great things from EasyStart Relocation) can make all the difference. These companies offer tailored support, carefully reviews your documents, and manages the finer details, ensuring your move is smooth, compliant, and worry-free from start to finish.
