France for Ukrainians 2024: emigration, visas, residence permits and work permits

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 2024, what types of visas and residence permits are available, and how to obtain a work permit

Legal assistance on migration issues for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad

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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.

France for Ukrainians in 2024: how to apply for protection, social support and basic rules for refugees - follow the link.

Detailed information on what you need to know before moving to Croatia 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.

Do Ukrainians need a visa to France?

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.

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.

Rules of entry to France for Ukrainians for a long-term stay: types of visas

There are several types of visas that Ukrainian citizens may need to enter France, depending on the purpose of their trip.

● Schengen visas (short-term):

- tourist visa (type C) for tourist trips of up to 90 days;

- business visa for business trips, participation in conferences;

- a guest visa for visiting relatives or friends;

- transit visa for travelling through the territory of France.

● National visas (long-term):

- student visa for studying in French educational institutions;

- work visa for employment in France;

- family reunification visa for family members of French nationals;

- research visa;

- entrepreneurial visa for setting up a business in France.

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.

Read more about temporary border control in France here.

Ukrainians in France: stages of preparation and obtaining a visa

1. Choosing the type of visa. Understand the different types of visas and choose the one that suits your purpose of staying abroad.

2. Prepare a package of documents. Make a complete list of required documents and check their relevance.

3. Filling in the visa application form.

4. Making an appointment and submitting documents. Choose a convenient time to visit the consulate or visa centre.

5. Waiting for your application to beprocessed. Follow the status of your case.

6. Receiving the finished visa. Pick up your passport with a visa within the specified period.

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

Residence permit in France for Ukrainians 2024

Temporary 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.

There are different types of residence permits:

- a student residence permit (Carte de Séjour Étudiant) for those studying in French higher education institutions;

- employee residence permit (Carte de Séjour Salarié) for foreign workers with a job offer;

- a residence permit for private and family life (Carte de Séjour Vie Privée et Familiale), which is issued to family members of French citizens or foreigners residing in the country;

- a residence permit with a talent passport (Carte de Séjour Passeport Talent) for persons with exceptional skills in the fields of research, art or entrepreneurship.

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.

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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.

Travelling to Ukraine from France in 2024: how to get there and entry rules - follow the link.

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).

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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