Entering France

• Holders of a passport or an identity card from a State in the European Union may freely enter French territory.
• Holders of a resident card or a visa issued by a State in the Schengen area may freely enter French territory for a period of no more than 90 days over a 180-day period.
• Holders of a passport issued by one of the States listed here may also enter French territory for a period of no more than 90 days over a 180-day period.
• In all other cases, a visa must be requested through the French Consulate closest to your home address.

Residing in France

• Holders of a passport or identity card issued by a State in the European Union are free to remain on French territory with no restrictions to duration.
• Holders of a resident card issued by a State in the Schengen area cannot reside in France unless they have obtained a type D visa through the French Consulate prior to arrival, except in exceptional cases*.
• In all other cases, a type D visa must be requested through the French Consulate authorities in your home country prior to arrival in France.

*Holders of an EC resident card issued by another EU Member State may enter and remain in France without needing a long-stay visa (for visits of over 3 months). Those with a hosting agreement concluded in another European State may request a resident card at the Prefecture of their place of residence by presenting the hosting agreement drawn up with an organization in France.

Working in France

• Holders of a passport or identity card issued by a European Union Member State are free to work in France with no restrictions.
• Holders of a resident card issued by a State in the Schengen area cannot access the French job market without a work permit, except in very specific cases for short scientific visits*.
• In all other cases, a resident card which authorizes working and/or a work permit are necessary in order to access to the job market.

*Scientists-researchers enjoy the right to intra-European mobility. If the hosting agreement was established in another European Member State (or an associated country), they may carry out their research over a period of maximum 3 months with their scientist-researcher resident card issued by another Member State or an associated country.

 Purpose of stay in France