French immigration has issued new procedures to easily process immigration application documents faster.  EU citizens are automatically allowed to visit France for three months without any visa. In the past, French authorities have been protective of their domestic labor force.  A lot of bureaucratic obstacles then got in the way of companies wanting to recruit foreign workers. 

French Immigration

Now, France also keeps its borders open for non-EU foreigners. A number of temporary work visas and work permits were issued to non EU foreigners who want to work in France. A foreign expert can also get a work visa as an independent non salaried expert.

The normal procedure for the application of work permits requires a French employee to prepare a petition through the assistance of a French counsel. This petition also involves the submission of personal documents with certification or letter from a French employer explaining the applicant’s migration purposes. Upon arrival in France, the applicant should pass a medical examination to be issued a work permit.  

An EEA (European Economic Area) is for EU nationals working in France and have the same rights as French nationals.  They have the right to good working conditions, access to housing as well as trade union memberships. Immediate dependents and families are entitled to join them and have similar rights.

Types of French Visa and Costs

Temporary French Visa

The Schengen visa may be issued for either a multiple, double or single entry and is eligible to visit France for three (3) months. The Schengen Visa cannot be extended while the holder is in France. The Schengen holder can not also re-visit the country after the visa has expired. When you apply for the Schengen visa, you must submit documentation in order to support their application form. You must submit an answered application form, proof of your intention to leave before the visa expires, and proof of funds for the length of the trip. All French applications should be submitted in original copy. You are also required to submit an original copy of your marriage certificate (if married), valid passports for you as well as your spouse, Form 1 A as well as C form and three passport photos.

The Student French Visa is issued to students who want to enter France except for Swiss or EU nationals since they must have a long stay student visa on their passport. It will allow you as a student to live and stay in France until you apply for Residence permit. You must then pass all requirements to obtain this French student visa. These requirements include:

• Letter of admission or registration from the French Academic Institution.
• Evidence of resources for 500 Euros a month for living expenses for a period of stay such as for food, medical expenses, housing and transports as well as proof for tuition fees.
• Short Bio-data
• Evidence of accommodation in France for a period of stay.
• Four passport size photographs with light background.
• Copy of your diploma or degree  and certificate
• Copy of the first two pages of your valid passport for the entire period of stay in France

The cost for short-term visa in France is 35 French dollars, while the short term visa to overseas visa is 9 French dollars. The long term visa such as family and student visa is 99 French dollars, and the visa for adoption is 15 French dollars. Exempted from visa fees are those aged 25 years and below, European Union Citizens, and scholars of the French Government.

Types of Permits

The Temporary Secondment is a permit for non French companies that need to place their employees in France. This may be applied for by any foreign company but needs the full co-operation of the French client. A sponsored employee should remain employed and lined up for the Foreign Service provider. The limit for this permit is 18 months and can be extended for up to 9 months more.

The full work permit is done by a French company wanting to employ a non EEA national. One should be a full time employee and paid in Euro in order to avail of this permit.  There is no limit whatsoever for this permit.  

Usually, work permits are valid for 12 months. However, the renewal and maximum length of stay are at the discretion of French authorities.

The Schengen Visa is valid for a stay in France for up to 90 days. This type of visa can not be extended. If you intend to stay longer than 90 days in France, the long stay visa is required to all nationals wanting to do so.  Only extraordinary circumstances like sudden illness can a foreign national obtain an extension beyond the 90 days allowed by the Schengen visa.

Immigration Policy

The French Immigration Policy Act of 1998 promotes greater access to French citizenship.  The main goal of the Policy Act of 1998 is to integrate foreign nationals into the French Culture. This act specifies that the children of foreign nationals should be given a French citizenship when their children reach maturity.  This will start when the children reach the age of eleven (11). The children granted French citizenship can stay in France for a period of five years. 

Immigration Laws

The Bonnet Law started to classify illegal migration.  Once identified as an illegal immigrant, the applicant is expelled from the French territory.  

The Chevenement Laws focus on the rights of a foreigner in the French territory. The Guigou Law Act 1998 allows for the automatic rights of children born in France to have French citizenship.

The law of French immigration issued on February 2003 focused generally on the security of immigrants entering France.  It was also designed to reinforce measures against illegal immigration.   

A new immigration bill on French immigration was issued in 2007.  This requires the DNA test for the foreigner before they get to unite with relatives in France. The bill also requires French language test for visa applicants and parents wanting to join family members and sign immigration contracts. It also has authorized voluntary genetic tests to prove family ties.