A professional woman walking on a Paris avenue with the Eiffel Tower behind her

FR · Europe

Immigrate to France

France has residence routes for skilled employees, researchers, students, founders and families. This page sets out the main options and what each one usually depends on.

Check your eligibility

Capital: Paris
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Languages: French
Typical processing: Varies

Why France

Why immigrate to France?

Many people consider France for its place at the centre of Europe and the breadth of its economy. International companies, research institutions and an active start-up community are based in Paris and other French cities, and several residence permits are designed specifically for skilled employees, researchers and founders. Working life is shaped by a detailed labour code, which sets out contracts, working hours and paid leave within a clear legal framework.

Families also weigh day-to-day life. State schools are free to attend, and residents who meet the conditions can join the national health insurance system. France is part of the European Union and the Schengen area, so a French residence permit also lets you make short trips to other Schengen countries. If you already speak French, settling in is usually easier, both at work and with local administration.

Students look at French universities, grandes écoles and business schools, many of which offer programmes taught in English. At the same time, France has tightened parts of its immigration system in recent years. Since January 2026, most first applications for longer-term residence cards also require a minimum level of French and a civic examination. If you hope to settle, it makes sense to start learning French early.

Visa categories

Available visa categories for France

01Talent residence permit (formerly the talent passport)
02EU Blue Card
03Employee or temporary worker permit
04Long-stay student visa (VLS-TS)
05Family reunification
06Schengen short-stay visa

Pathways in detail

Talent residence permit – qualified employee (talent – salarié qualifié)

This multi-year permit is for employees with a high level of qualification, typically a master’s degree or equivalent, who are hired by a French employer. Related talent categories cover employees of recognised innovative companies and employees sent on assignment to a French entity within their group. It suits experienced professionals with a confirmed job offer in France. It typically depends on your qualification, your contract and a salary that meets the minimum set for the category, and your employer does not need to obtain a separate work authorisation.

NOTESalary thresholds are reviewed periodically, and the talent categories and their conditions have changed in recent years.

EU Blue Card (talent – carte bleue européenne)

The EU Blue Card is for highly qualified employment in France. It suits professionals with a higher education qualification, or in some cases substantial comparable professional experience, and a job offer at a senior or specialist level. It depends on your qualifications or experience, the length of your contract and a salary above the Blue Card minimum. After a period of residence, it can also give some rights to move for work within the EU and to count time towards long-term residence.

NOTEThe Blue Card salary threshold is updated regularly.

Employee or temporary worker permit (salarié or travailleur temporaire)

If your role does not fall under a talent category, your French employer applies online for a work authorisation before you travel. Once that is granted, you apply for a long-stay visa for your type of contract. This suits people with a genuine job offer in France, including in occupations where employers face shortages. It depends on the employer’s application, the job and pay offered and, unless the role appears on an official shortage occupation list, the employer showing that the vacancy was advertised without finding a suitable candidate.

NOTEShortage occupation lists are national and regional and are revised from time to time.

Intra-corporate transfer (salarié détaché ICT)

This permit lets a company outside the EU transfer a manager or specialist to a French entity in the same group for a temporary assignment. It suits employees of multinational groups who are being posted to France for a defined period. It depends on the relationship between the two companies, your senior or expert role, and a minimum period of prior employment within the group.

NOTEThe permit is temporary and linked to the length of the assignment.

Get started