France · Visas and documents
France-Visas · Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères · 13/11/2026
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/web/france-visas/etudiant Study
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/web/france-visas/etudiant Work
https://www.france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/activite-salariee Join family
https://www.france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/famille-de-francaishttps://www.france-visas.gouv.fr/en/famille-d-etranger-residant-en-france A preparation roadmap by purpose, with documents, steps and direct links to the responsible authorities.
Guides to the main routes, not a list of every existing visa. Nationality, residence, age, family and consulate can change the required evidence.
Study
Residence determines whether Études en France applies. Use the France-Visas wizard for your individual checklist.
Documents to organise: Valid passport or travel document; Admission or enrolment at an eligible institution and course; Financial evidence accepted for this category.
Depending on your case and the official checklist: Diplomas, transcripts and qualification recognition; Language evidence for the category or exemption; Accommodation or address evidence in the accepted format; Health insurance appropriate to the category; Certified translations and legalisation/apostille where requested; Evidence of lawful residence in the application jurisdiction.
Route forms and references: Études en France · VLS-TS.
How to proceed: Choose the category and check the authority/consulate checklist for your place of residence. Confirm admission, enrolment, payments and institution-issued documents. Use the official channel linked in the source and keep receipts. Attend interviews or biometrics when requested. After the decision, check entry conditions, local registration, residence and permitted activities.
Work
Salaried work may require prior employer work authorisation. The contract type and duration determine the category.
Documents to organise: Valid passport or travel document; Contract or job offer accepted for the category; Employer authorisation, sponsorship or petition where the route requires it.
Depending on your case and the official checklist: Diplomas, transcripts and qualification recognition; Evidence of experience and professional licensing; Certified translations and legalisation/apostille where requested; Evidence of lawful residence in the application jurisdiction.
Route forms and references: VLS-TS.
How to proceed: Choose the category and check the authority/consulate checklist for your place of residence. Ask the employer to complete the prior authorisation or sponsorship required by this route. Use the official channel linked in the source and keep receipts. Attend interviews or biometrics when requested. After the decision, check entry conditions, local registration, residence and permitted activities.
Join family
A French citizen’s spouse must prove marriage, nationality and shared life. Joining a resident foreign national follows a different procedure.
Documents to organise: Valid passport or travel document; Certificates and evidence of family or partner relationship; Family member’s identity and immigration status or nationality.
Depending on your case and the official checklist: Civil records and evidence of parentage or name changes; Certified translations and legalisation/apostille where requested; Evidence of lawful residence in the application jurisdiction.
How to proceed: Choose the category and check the authority/consulate checklist for your place of residence. Use the official channel linked in the source and keep receipts. Attend interviews or biometrics when requested. After the decision, check entry conditions, local registration, residence and permitted activities.
Before paying or travelling
Check fees, minimum income, document validity and timing with the route source. Confirm translations and legalisation with the responsible consulate. Visa, entry, residence and permission to work are different steps; approval is not guaranteed.
Information for lawful migration. PassyGo does not issue visas or replace individual advice from a qualified professional.
Editorial information. Requirements depend on your circumstances and may change. Check the official source before applying.
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