Moving to France from the USA: Visas and the application process

There’re 8 different types of visas for Americans wanting to move to France. Find out how to apply for one and all other practicalities.

Jale

7 minute read

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20 Jan 2023

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Moving

Each year, the number of Americans moving to France increases, thanks to its universal healthcare system, attractive employment opportunities, top-notch education system, and an overall high-quality life. As of today, France has more than 150,000 Americans living, working, and studying in many beautiful French cities, especially in bigger cities like Paris.

Are you preparing to move to France from the US? Find out which visa is the best for you and the requirements you need to meet as an American moving to France.

Americans who intend to stay in France for less than 90 days don’t need visas. But, from November 2023, US citizens must apply for an ETIAS travel authorization to enter France.

The application for ETIAS will be online and will cost €7 per person. Anyone under 18 and over 70 will be exempt from paying the fee. You must apply for ETIAS at least 72 hours before your flight. If approved, your visa waiver will be valid for 3 years or until your passport expires.

If you’re planning to visit France for more than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a valid visa depending on your purpose of stay.

The top 8 visa types for US citizens moving to France are:

1. Student Visa
2. Talent passport: Research visa
3. Job Search Visa
4. Internship visa
5. Work Visa
6. Entrepreneur/Liberal profession visa
7. Talent Passport: Investor visas
8. Family reunification visas

Who is it for: American citizens enrolled in a study or exchange program in French institutions or who need to sit in an exam.

Validity: Depending on the duration of your studies, you can apply for 4 different types of student visas in France.

1. Student long-stay visa as a residence permit (VLS-TS "étudiant"), for students who want to do a bachelor's or master's program in a French university. If you apply for this visa, you must validate it within 3 months using an online platform.
2. Student temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T "étudiant"), for a stay of 3 to 6 months.
3. Short-stay visa for studies (court séjour pour études), for a maximum stay of 3 months__.
4. ’Student in competition’ (étudiant concours), for a maximum stay of 3 months to sit in an exam.

Application: US citizens must follow an online procedure called Études En France (Studying in France) to apply for all types of student visas in France.

Only students with long-term study visas can work in France (up to 964 hours per year).

Cost: €50 ($52.70)

Who is it for: To apply for a PhD or to conduct research in France.

Validity: Valid for 1 year and renewable. For research that lasts more than 12 months, your visa will be valid for the duration of your research, up to a maximum of 4 years.

Application: You must apply at the French embassy in the US with the required documents. Once you get your visa, you must validate it online within 3 months of your arrival to use it as your residence permit.

Cost: €225 ($237.14)

Who is it for: A job seach visa allows its holder to look for and secure a job in France. American students or researchers can apply for a job search visa anytime within 4 years of graduating from a French university.

Validity: Job search visa is only valid for 12 months and is not renewable. After your job search visa expires, you must apply for a new work visa.

Application: You can apply at a prefecture in France before your student or research visa expires. Alternatively, apply at the French consulate in the US if you left France after receiving your diploma. Once you acquire the visa, you must validate it online within 2 months of your arrival to use it as a residence permit.

Cost: For students €75 ($79.65) and for researchers €225 ($238.96).

Who is it for: This visa is for American citizens who don’t study in France but want to intern or train in France for longer than 3 months. The internship must be part of a training course ( e.g., part of the university curriculum or professional training in the company).

Validity: The visa will be the valid duration of your internship. 2 months before your visa expires, your employer can apply for an extension or work permit on your behalf.

Application: You can apply for it online via the Études en France (EEF) platform. At the moment of application, you must be residing abroad. Once you receive your visa, you’ll have 3 months to validate it online to use it as a residence permit for the duration of your internship.

Conditions: To apply for this visa, you must earn at least €615 monthly from your internship.

Cost: €99 ($104.34)

Who is it for: For the US citizens wishing to work in France.

There’re different types of work visas Americans can apply for, depending on their educational background, the job description, and its duration.

1. Long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit with statement salarie (in short employee VLS-TS): for a permanent contract or contract longer than 1 year.
2. Temporary long-stay visa with the statement travailleur temporaire (in short VLS-TS): for a fixed-term contract of 3-12 months.
3. Talent Passport (passeport talent): a multi-year residence permit for highly skilled American citizens who can enhance France’s economy and society.

Different types of talent passport visas are available depending on your qualifications. In general, to apply for a talent passport, you must meet the salary and education requirements.

Validity: Both employee VLS-TS and VLS-TS are valid for 1 year and can be extended. The talent passport will be valid up to 4 years, depending on your work contract.

Application: Your employer needs to start the process by applying for a work permit on your behalf. Once the French consulate receives your application, you can start your visa application process.

After arriving in France, you must validate your visa within 3 months to receive your French residence permit at your nearest prefecture.

Cost: €99 ($104.34)

Who is it for: American citizens who want to want to [freelance in France](freelance article] as an independent contractor or by setting up a small business.

To be eligible, your freelancing activities in France must help you earn at least €20,147 (as of August 2022) per year, which is the minimum salary of a full-time employee.

Validity: The self-employment visa is initially valid for 12 months. 2 months before your visa ends, you must apply for renewal at the local prefecture.

Application: If you still live in the US, you have to apply for a visa at the French consulate in the US. Once you arrive in France, validate your visa online within 3 months.

If you already live in France, you need to apply at the prefecture in the city of your residence for a change of status.

Cost: €269 ($283.51)

Who is it for: for Americans who wish to invest in France’s economy and create job opportunities. France has 2 different types of investor visas.

1. Talent passport: business
2. Talent passport: new business

Requirements for the talent passport: business visa

• Investing at least €300,000 in fixed tangible or intangible assets.
• Directly/indirectly creating employment possibilities in France within 4 years following the investment.

Requirements for the talent passport: new business

• Investing at least €30,000 in your business.
• Hold a Master’s diploma or show proof of 5 years of work experience in the related field.
• Pay at least the monthly French minimum wage to all employees
• Have a detailed business plan and prove it by issuing the certificate from this official French website.

Unlike Spain’s Golden Visa, French investment visas are only available for investors to create job possibilities. This is why personal investments, such as purchasing a house, are outside these visas' scope.

Validity: The validity of this permit depends on the characteristics and duration of the business and can be up to 4 years.

Application: If you reside outside of France, you can apply at the French consulate in the US. When you arrive in France, you must validate it online and then go to the prefecture to receive your permit.

If you’re already in France, you must go to the prefecture where you reside in France.

Cost: €324 ($341.49)

Who is it for: For Americans who want to join their direct family member legally residing in France. A direct family member means a spouse or partner, children under 18, or parents (in-law) above 65 years.

Validity: Family reunification visa is valid for as long as the family member (sponsor) residing in France holds their visa.

Application: The family member residing in France acts as a sponsor and can apply for the family reunification visa on behalf of the joining family members.

There’re 2 types of family reunification processes depending on the sponsor's visa.

1. Simplified procedure, for the family members of talent passport holders.
2. Generalized procedure, for the family members of all other visa type holders.

Under the simplified procedure, you can apply for the talent passport and family visa at the same time at the French embassy in the US. Upon arrival, you and your family will have 3 months to validate the visa and then visit a police station or prefecture to collect your residence permit.

Under the generalized procedure, you, the sponsor, can apply for the family reunification visa after 18 months of living in France. Fill in the application form, collect proof of sufficient, stable income, and proof that you meet the housing criteria. Send the application to the OFII, who will make a decision within 6 months.

After you get a certificate from OFII, your family members abroad can apply for a visa at the French consulate or embassy. They must enter France within 3 months of receiving the visa.

Cost: €99 ($104.34).

Obtaining a visa is the first part of moving to France from the US. After that, there is a lot to do, from signing a rental contract to opening your French bank account. Make sure you go through the relocation checklist to be on top of everything before and after your move.

Once you reside in France for 5 years with one of the visas mentioned above, you can apply for the long-term French residence permit.

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