Emigration to France: how can Ukrainians move in 2025?

To successfully emigrate to France, it is necessary to determine the type of visa in advance, collect the necessary documents and research all the legal nuances. Find out more about how Ukrainians can move to France in 2025, what types of visas and residence permits are available, and how to obtain a work permit

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Emigration to France is a long and difficult process that has many legal nuances. For a successful move, you need to research all the requirements in advance and collect the necessary documents, as well as familiarise yourself with the rules of legalisation in the country.

How to emigrate to France in 2024 and what types of visas exist, as well as the package of necessary documents, residence permits and legalisation in the country, are described in the article below.

Detailed information on what you need to know before moving to France can be found here:

- Travelling to France for tourism purposes;

- Work in France;

- Immigration to France;

- Study in France;

- Temporary protection for Ukrainians in France.

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Do Ukrainians need a visa to France in 2025?

Ukrainian nationals do not need a visa for short-term travel to France (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) if they hold a biometric passport.

The visa-free regime allows Ukrainians to travel to France for tourism, business or family purposes, but not for work or study that requires a long-term stay. In case of long-term travel (more than 90 days), it is necessary to apply for a visa of the appropriate type.

This material describes when Ukrainians need a visa to France and how to obtain one.

Medical insurance for studying abroad: which policy to choose for your child – read here.

Read more about drug analogues in France and how to choose medicines here.

Take care of your health when travelling to Europe with health insurance from Visit Ukraine, which guarantees reliable protection. Ensure your peace of mind while travelling.

Visa to France for Ukrainians: what types are there?

The following types of visas are available for Ukrainians:

- Short-term visa (type C) – for trips lasting up to 90 days (upon completion of visa-free days or absence of a biometric passport).

- Long-term visa (type D) – for study, work or family reunification.

What does travel insurance cover abroad – we explain here.

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Types of long-term visas to France for Ukrainians

Long-term visas are required for long stays related to work, family or study. Here are the most popular types of French long-term visas:

- Business visa: to attend meetings, professional events or conferences.

- Guest visa: to visit family or friends living in France.

- Tourist visa: for sightseeing, vacation or relaxation.

- Family reunification visa: to reunite with family members living in France.

- Student visa: to enter university or study in long-term educational programs.

- Work visa: to work in France under an official employment contract.

- Working holiday visa: for working holidays or other cultural exchange programs.

- Talent Passport: for professionals working in specialized fields such as research, technology or the arts.

The updated French Tech Visa program in 2025 remains one of the most convenient paths for talented professionals and entrepreneurs seeking to live and work in France. Read more about the new permit in this article.

For more informationon the cost of living in France, renting a house, food and transport, please follow the link.

Documents for a visa to France

In order to obtain a visa to France, Ukrainian citizens must prepare and submit the appropriate package of documents.

The main documents are:

- a visa application form filled out in accordance with the requirements (available on the official website of the French Embassy);

- a foreign passport with a validity period exceeding the date of return by at least 3 months and at least two blank pages;

- current 3.5 x 4.5 cm photographs (no more than six months old).

Documents confirming the purpose of the visit:

- for tourists - accommodation reservation or documents from a travel agency;

- for guest visits - a written invitation with details of the stay;

- for business trips - an invitation from French partners or a letter from a Ukrainian employer.

Additional documents:

- insurance policy with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros for the entire period of stay;

- documentary evidence of financial solvency (bank statement for the last quarter);

- in case of sponsorship - a statement from the sponsor;

- round-trip tickets;

- a document confirming payment of the consular fee;

For a long-term visa, you will also need the following documents:

- proof of the purpose of the long-term stay. Employment contract or an official invitation from the employer, confirmation from the educational institution (letter of enrolment) or a document confirming family ties;

- a certificate of no criminal record issued by the competent authorities of Ukraine;

- proof of residence in France.

All documents must be submitted to a French consulate or an accredited visa application centre.

How to apply for a long-term visa to France?

You can apply for a French visa at the nearest French embassy, ​​consulate or visa center. You need to make an appointment to submit the necessary documents and pay the visa fee. Step-by-step procedure for applying for a French visa:

Step 1 - Fill out the visa application form

Before making an appointment to submit documents, you must complete the online visa application form on the France Visas website.

Step 2 - Schedule an appointment

You can make an appointment to submit documents at the link.

Step 3 - Collect the necessary documents

You will find a detailed list of documents on the France Visas website after filling out the online form.

Take care of your health while traveling abroad with medical insurance from the Visit Ukraine portal, which guarantees reliable protection. Ensure your peace of mind while traveling.

Step 4 – Submit documents and pay visa fee

The cost of a long-term visa to France is 99 euros.

Step 5 – Wait for a decision

As a rule, visas are issued within 10-30 days. This period depends, in particular, on the purpose of the stay and the time of application. The consulate does not provide information during the consideration of the case.

Step 6 – Obtain a visa

Passports can only be obtained by appointment after receiving a notification from the visa department.

Step 7 – Leave for France

For successful application, it is recommended to contact qualified visa lawyers. Specialists will advise on the necessary documents, help with the preparation of the application and provide full legal support for the process from the beginning to a positive decision.

We talked about car insurance in France and whether Ukrainians need to take out a local car insurance policy in our previous article.

Emigration to France for Ukrainians: how to move in 2025?

Conditions for obtaining a residence permit in France

The list of requirements for obtaining a residence permit in France varies depending on the grounds for immigration. The standard conditions that must be met to apply for a permanent resident permit include:

- the presence of a long-term visa type D or the equivalent of a residence permit (VLS-TS);

- reaching the age of majority;

- the presence of housing in the country (rented or owned);

- no criminal record;

- confirmation of income;

- the presence of a reason for staying in France.

Grounds for obtaining a residence permit in France

France offers various ways to legalize the stay of foreigners. The main categories look like this:

- Work - an employment contract with a French employer and a work permit are required. The minimum salary should be from 1766 EUR/month. First, a 1-year permit is issued, with the possibility of extension online through the OFII portal.

- Business or freelance - an entrepreneur or self-employed person must register their activity through the Guichet Unique portal, provide a business plan and prove financial capacity. First, a residence permit for 1 year, then a multi-year card for up to 4 years.

- Family - a vie privée et familiale permit is issued upon marriage to a French citizen, family reunification or the presence of a resident child. The document is issued for 1 year, later a multi-year permit for up to 4 years is possible.

- Talent Passport / EU Blue Card - intended for highly qualified specialists, investors, artists, scientists. The duration of the permit is up to 4 years. Blue Card holders can later apply for the status of a long-term EU resident (10 years) if they confirm their knowledge of the French language and the availability of health insurance.

- Pensioners – recipients of French pensions and their spouses can apply for a 10-year permit with the right to renew.

- Financially independent individuals – must prove stable funds of at least EUR 1,398/month. The permit is issued as a visiteur status for 1 year, with the right to extend.

- Seconded and seasonal workers – for specialists seconded to a French company (card up to 3 years), or for seasonal work up to 6 months per year. In most cases, a contract and work permit are required.

- Studies and internships – students receive a residence permit for up to 1 year with the possibility of extension up to 4 years. An agreement with a company or educational institution is required for an internship; the validity of the permit corresponds to the duration of the contract.

- Job search after studies – graduates of a master's degree or equivalent can stay in France for another 1 year to look for work or start a business. If they find a job with a suitable salary, they can switch to another type of residence permit.

- Au pair (host family) – young people from 18 to 30 years old can live in France for up to 1 year, helping the family in exchange for accommodation and food. The permit can be extended for another year.

How can Ukrainians get a residence permit in France?

In France, a temporary residence permit is called a ‘titre de séjour’ or ‘carte de séjour’ - an official document that allows citizens of non-European Union (EU) countries to legally reside in France for a certain period of time. The residence permit is issued for various purposes, such as work, study, family reunification or medical treatment, and its validity depends on the specific situation and can range from several months to several years.

The French system offers two main types of Carte de séjour: a temporary card (Carte de séjour temporaire), which is valid for one year, and a multi-annual card (Carte de séjour pluriannuelle), which is usually valid for four years.

The process of obtaining a residence permit begins with determining the appropriate category and collecting the necessary documents. The application is submitted through a French consulate, embassy or the French administration's online portal. After submitting the application, you may be required to provide biometric data and attend an interview. The processing time varies depending on the workload of the authorities and the complexity of the case.

It is important to remember to renew your residence permit before it expires. The renewal process requires the submission of updated documents and confirmation that the grounds for staying in France remain valid. When applying for a renewal, you should take into account the processing time and avoid planning any trips until you have received your new residence permit.

Obtaining a temporary residence permit is a complex process that requires careful preparation and compliance with the requirements established by law. To ensure a successful move and avoid any troubles, it is worth contacting specialists. Thelawyers of Visit Ukraine provide full support and advice on visa and migration issues to successfully resolve any nuances.

Permanent residence permit in France

In France, a permanent residence permit is called a ‘carte de résident’ or ‘carte de résident de longue durée’ - a document that allows citizens of non-European Union (EU) countries to live and work in France indefinitely.

To obtain this type of residence permit, you must have been legally residing in France for five continuous years, holding a valid residence permit and complying with immigration laws. Important conditions are the financial ability to support yourself and your family members without public assistance, successful integration into French society, including knowledge of the language and culture, and the absence of serious offences.

The process of obtaining a permanent residence permit begins with the submission of an application to the local prefecture (Préfecture). After submitting the documents and paying the fees, a waiting period begins, which can last several months. During this time, a temporary permit ‘récépissé’ is issued, which allows you to legally stay in France until a final decision is made. During the application process, you may be required to pass an interview to assess the level of integration and a language test. In case of a positive decision, a resident card is issued, which is usually valid for 10 years.

The following documents are required to apply for a permanent residence permit:

- a valid passport and copies of all its pages;

- documents confirming continuous residence in France (lease agreements, utility bills, tax returns);

- proof of financial stability (bank statements, employment contracts);

- medical insurance;

- marriage certificate or documents of kinship (if any);

- certificates of French language proficiency.

A permanent residence permit provides significant benefits: the ability to live and work in France indefinitely, full access to public services and the healthcare system. In addition, after five years of residence with a permanent permit, it is possible to apply for French citizenship, provided that you meet additional language and integration requirements.

Read how to get to France from Poland by car here.

Keep in mind that a Green Card is a prerequisite for legal entry and further movement in France by car. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can apply for a Green Card online from a licensed insurer. Packages are available for different periods from 15 days to 1 year for cars and trucks, trailers and semi-trailers for trucks, as well as motorcycles and scooters.

Residence permit ‘Visitor’ in France 

The residence permit ‘Visitor’ (carte de séjour visiteur) is a document that allows foreigners to legally stay in France for a long time (more than 3 months) for various purposes not related to work. This may include tourism, visiting relatives, studying (provided that study is not the main purpose of the stay), etc.

Almost anyone can apply for such a residence permit, provided that certain requirements are met. The main condition is not to be a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland.

The validity period of a Visitor's residence permit can vary from several months to several years and depends on the specific situation. As a rule, it is initially issued for a year and then extended if necessary.

Documents for obtaining the ‘Visitor’ residence permit:

- a valid passport and copies of all its pages;

- hotel reservation, invitation letter from relatives or friends;

- bank statement or letter of sponsorship;

- medical insurance;

- links with your home country (employment contract, property certificate, etc.);

- a completed application form;

- 2 passport-size photographs;

Other documents may also be required depending on the specific situation.

To obtain a ‘Visitor’ residence permit, you must first obtain a corresponding long-term visa from the French consulate in your home country. Once you arrive in France, you must register with the Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) within 3 months. After registration with the OFII, you will be issued a residence permit.

Obtaining French citizenship

There are several ways to obtain French citizenship:

- If one or both of your parents are French nationals, you can apply for citizenship on this basis.

- A child born in France to foreign parents can acquire French nationality if he or she has been resident in the country for at least 5 years from the age of 11.

- Marriage to a French citizen can give you the right to citizenship after 4 years of marriage, provided that you have lived in France for at least 3 years since the marriage.

- Service in the French Foreign Legion can be a basis for citizenship.

- Naturalisation. For this purpose, you need to legally reside in France for at least 5 years, prove your knowledge of the French language (B1 level), integration into society and the absence of a criminal record.

Documents for applying for French citizenship:

- a completed application form;

- photographs;

- passports and their copies;

- birth certificate;

- residence permit;

- marriage certificate (if required);

- certificates of no criminal record;

- documents confirming the place of residence and financial stability;

- certificates of language proficiency and participation in integration programmes;

- receipt of payment of the state fee.

The list of required documents may change, so it is recommended to check with the relevant authorities before submitting an application.

Read moreabout obtaining French citizenship on the basis of various conditions here.

Working in France: how to obtain a work permit?

To work legally in France for more than 90 days, you need to obtain a long-term work visa. This document is also a residence permit.

The procedure is as follows:

1. Your future employer concludes an employment contract with you and sends it to the relevant French authorities for consideration.

2. The French authorities (DIRRECTE and OFII) check the contract for compliance with the law.

3. After the OFII approves the contract, you receive an invitation to submit documents to the French Embassy in your country.

4. You prepare the required package of documents and submit them to the embassy.

5. After receiving a visa, you can come to France.

6. Within a certain period of time after arrival, you must register with the OFII.

Documents for obtaining a work permit:

- completed application forms;

- photographs;

- work permit from OFII or DIRECCTE;

- CV;

- passport and its copy;

- national passport and its copy;

- document on payment of the consular fee;

- for family members - proof of kinship, permission for the child to leave (if necessary).

We tell you more about obtaining a work visa in France in this article.

Read about what professions are in short supply and how to legally work and live in France at the link.

Important! If you are coming to France with your family, they must also obtain visas. All documents submitted to the embassy must be translated by an accredited translator. If you plan to reside in France for more than 18 months, you need to contact the OFII for further paperwork.

Reminder. Before travelling to France, it is important to familiarise yourself with the traffic rules. Read here what rules you should follow, what documents you need to take and what you need to know about traffic rules in France.

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