Visas and cartes de séjour for France

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For most non-EU nationals, the first step to moving to France or staying for an extended period is obtaining a long-stay visa. If you decide to settle long-term you will later need to convert this to a residency card – known as a carte or titre de séjour.

Since Brexit this applies to Britons as it has for years to others including Americans, Canadians and Australians. It also applies to second-home owners seeking to spend up to six months at a time in France who, as non-EU citizens, are limited to 90 days visa-free in any 180-day period. It also includes people wanting to work, run a business or study here. 

All non-EU citizens can face expulsion orders if they do not comply with residency rules. This affected 140 Britons and 125 Americans in 2025 (appeals are possible; numbers actually expelled in 2025 were 60 and 50 respectively).

In 2025, Americans were in second place place for the most long-stay visas (7% of those issued) after Moroccans. Britons were fourth equal with Chinese people (5%) after Tunisians.

Americans were at number five in the top ten of nationalities for first-issue residency cards, with 13,122. Britons did not feature, but the total holding a card is climbing, now 173,312 not including children or French dual nationals, suggesting a population of over 200,000 Britons now settled in France.

Britons are the fifth largest foreign nationality living in France, after people from North Africa and Turks. 

Americans hold fewer than 100,000 cards but are rising.

In 2025 the company running the ten US visa centres on behalf of France changed. New services were added, but it also saw some fees increase. 

A 2024 immigration law added new language and other requirements, with many being in force since January 1, 2026.

In other news the UK and EU agreed in principle in spring 2025 to creating a new visa for young people to spend time working, studying or simply travelling, easing some complexities that have limited such experiences in recent years. The ruling Labour Party said it wanted a ‘reset’ with Europe.

There has also been support from French parliamentarians for easier visits for second-home owners.

This guide aims to explain what is involved in moving to and living in France on a visa or residency card and the types likely to be most relevant to our readers. 

If coming for more than a short visit you must plan ahead and carry out the formalities. You must also think how you will spend your time and support yourself. If you come on a non-working visa, it can be hard to change afterwards to be able to work.

If you have a query not answered in this guide please send it to questions@connexionfrance.com. We will answer a selection online or in future guide updates.

Thank you for your confidence in us. 

The Connexion team