French Republic visas
France issues residence permits through préfectures inside France and consulates abroad. The headline skilled route is the Talent Passport (Passeport Talent) with multiple categories covering salaried workers, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and artists. The EU Blue Card (carte bleue européenne) is also available. Family reunification (regroupement familial), student visas, and the long-stay visa equivalent to residence permit (VLS-TS) are the other major categories.
6 routes · 2 without a sponsor · 5 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
France-Visas — Official visa application portal ↗ · Ministry of the Interior (France)
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Conseil National des Barreaux (CNB) — National Bar Council — oversees the 164 local bar associations (barreaux) regulating avocats authorised to give immigration advice in France.
Visa routes (6)
Talent Passport — Salaried Employee (Passeport Talent Salarié)
Multi-year residence permit for qualified employees earning at least EUR 39,582 gross per year, issued directly for up to 4 years.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 2026
Talent Passport — Researcher (Passeport Talent Chercheur)
Multi-year residence permit for researchers with a hosting agreement (convention d'accueil) from a French research institution.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 August 2026
EU Blue Card (Carte Bleue Européenne)
EU-wide highly qualified worker permit requiring a degree and a gross annual salary of at least EUR 59,373 in France.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 2026
Long-Stay Visa — Salaried Worker (VLS-TS Salarié)
Standard work visa for non-EU nationals with a French employment contract who do not meet Talent Passport criteria — requires a full labour-market test.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 August 2026
Student Visa (VLS-TS Étudiant)
Long-stay student visa for international students enrolled at French higher-education institutions — includes part-time work rights.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 12 July 2026
Family Reunification (Regroupement Familial)
Residence permit for spouses and children of non-EU residents legally settled in France for at least 18 months.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 18 August 2026
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does French Republic have?+
We cover 6 French Republic visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, unsponsored work, study, and family. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which French Republic visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
2 of the 6 French Republic routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 4 are employer-sponsored.
Which French Republic visas lead to permanent residence?+
5 of the 6 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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