Immigrate to France

You wish to travel to France for tourism, to join a family member, to study, or to work? The choice of visa depends both on the length of your stay and on your plans, whether personal or professional. Choosing the wrong type of visa may result in a refusal or complicate your ability to settle in France.

Types of visas

• Short-stay visa
  Allows you to stay in France for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, particularly for tourism, family visits, or occasional professional purposes.
  In principle, it does not allow you to work. However, certain short-term professional activities may be authorized under strictly regulated legal conditions.

• Long-stay visa
  Allows you to stay in France for more than 90 days. It is the first step toward long-term residence and may require obtaining a residence permit after arrival, depending on your situation.

• Long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS)
  Allows you to reside in France without immediately applying for a residence permit. This visa must be validated after arrival and is generally valid for one year.

Visas for personal reasons

• Tourist
  You wish to travel to France for vacation, a cultural stay, or a short visit. The tourist visa is generally a short-stay visa.

• Joining a family member (private and family life)
  You wish to join your spouse, partner, or a family member in France. This category covers individual situations related to private and family life, particularly in cases of marriage to a French national or a foreign national legally residing in France.

• Family reunification
  This is a specific procedure allowing a foreign national legally residing in France to bring their spouse and minor children. This process is regulated and subject to conditions relating to income, housing, and length of residence.

• Visitor
  You wish to reside in France without engaging in professional activity, particularly if you have sufficient financial resources.

• Student
  You wish to pursue studies at an educational institution in France.

Visas for professional reasons

• Employee hired by a French employer
  You are hired by a French company to work in France.

• Posted worker (intra-company transfer – ICT)
  You work for a foreign company that temporarily assigns you to France as part of a mission.

• Talent passport
  You have a qualified profile or a specific project (executive, researcher, investor, entrepreneur).

• Temporary worker
  You come to France for a short-term or temporary assignment with an employer.

• Self-employed / Entrepreneur
  You wish to carry out an independent professional activity or start a business in France.

Procedures and obligations

• Understanding procedures depending on the visa

  • A short-stay visa does not require formalities after arrival but does not allow long-term settlement.

  • A standard long-stay visa requires you to apply for a residence permit upon arrival in France.

  • A long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS) must be validated within three months of entry into France.

• Continuing your stay in France
  At the end of a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit, you must apply for a residence permit to continue residing legally in France.

• Compliance with deadlines
  All procedures must be completed within the required time limits to avoid any irregular situation.

• Difficulties and appeals
  In the event of a visa or residence permit refusal, legal remedies may be available. A precise analysis helps define the appropriate strategy and secure your plans.

Legal assistance allows you to identify the appropriate visa, prepare a strong application, and anticipate potential difficulties. Pierre Lepicier assists clients at every stage, from the visa application to obtaining a residence permit, taking into account the specific aspects of each personal or professional situation.