Visa applications for France vary mainly according to the length and purpose of the stay. There are three types of visas: short-stay visas, long-stay visas and airport transit visas.
• The short-stay visa is for stays of less than three months. It does not allow the holder to settle long term in France or bring family members. Professional activity is also limited. This visa may be issued for a single entry or for multiple entries. In the latter case, it is called a circulation visa.
• The long-stay visa is for applicants whose stay will exceed three months, justified by several purposes, including family reunification, work or studies.
• Finally, the airport transit visa concerns only travellers whose final destination is outside the Schengen area. The airport transit visa requires the traveller to remain in the international zone of the French airport.
A visa application for France is generally made in two steps. First, registration on the France-Visas website is required. Then, in most cases, the file is submitted through service providers used by the consular services.
• France does not issue visas on arrival. It is therefore necessary to arrive in the country with a visa.
• This information is provided for guidance. Exceptions may apply depending on the country of origin and residence.