Visas & permits
Which long-stay visa applies to you
A plain-language map of the common French long-stay visa categories.
Reviewed 10 September 2026
Common categories
- Student (etudiant) - enrolment at a recognised institution.
- Worker (salarie / travailleur temporaire) - employer-sponsored contract.
- Passeport Talent - skilled workers, founders, researchers; four-year card.
- Family (vie privee et familiale) - spouse or family of a French or resident person.
- Visitor (visiteur) - self-funded, no work rights, must show income and cover.
Each category has its own renewal path and paperwork. Your visa type drives which deadlines Arrivo tracks for you.
What changed in 2026
- Since 1 May 2026, permit taxes rose: 300 EUR for a first card or visa validation, 200 EUR for a renewal, plus a 50 EUR stamp.
- Since 1 January 2026, a civic exam applies and French language levels are set at A2 for a first multi-year card, B1 for the ten-year card and B2 for naturalisation.
BonjourBase summarises public information and is not legal advice. Rules change — confirm details with the official source or a qualified professional.