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France - Types of visa

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Only people who are coming out of the European Community have to obtain a visa. European people have only need to have a valid passport or a national identity card. If you want to stay in France for working, you need to obtain a residence permit at the Prefecture.

Two types of visa are necessary for people coming out of  the European Community :
- short-term visa : 3 months
- long-term visa : 6 months

short-term visa

  • A short-term visa is for tourists or people who just want to stay for three months. However, a long-term visa is necessary for working in France. To obtain it before your departure, you need to go to the French Consulate or Embassy of your country. You find the address and phone number for all the French Embassies here:
    website: http://www.expatries.diplomatie.gouv.fr/annuaires/repdipet.asp

A long-term visa

  • For the long-term visa you need the following documents :
    - a  valid passport
    - a work contract or a letter from your future employer in France
    - a proof of health insurance
    - the address of your future home in France

The residence card

If you want to stay in France more than three months, you need to obtain a residence card. This residence card is compulsory for people coming out of the European Community and from the European Community too.

  • European people
    For obtaining your residence card you need to go to the townhall of your city or at the Prefecture.  It's better to go yourself in order to obtain quickly this card. Be patient with the French administration and everything will be fine !
    Here are the documents, that you will need to present :
    - three photographies of identity
    - a valid passport
    - a birth certificate
    - a copy of your work contract (if you have)
    - a proof of your address in France (bills like EDF-GDF or France Telecom…)
    - a document that proof you have got a health insurance or the form E111 will be fine
    It's better to have several copies of each documents.
  • Non-European people
    Before obtaining this card, your future employer must submit a dossier to different French Administration offices. When you have got your work contract, you can ask for a residence card within three months of your arrival in France.
    Here are the documents that you will need :
    - three photographies of identity
    - valid passport
    - a birth certificate or family record book
    - your work contract stamped by the OMI (International Migrations Office)
    - a proof of your French residence (bills like EDG-GDF or France Telecom…)
    It's better to have several copies of each documents.
  • For more information contact:
    Préfecture de Paris
    50 av Daumesnil
    75012
    PARIS
    Tel: + 33 (0)1 4928 4000

Be patient with the French administration!

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