Visa help
Visas and residence permits can feel overwhelming. Start with the official sites, then lean on free, trusted organizations if you need a hand.
Good to know
Rules depend on your nationality and the type of visa or permit you hold, and they change. This page is a starting point, not legal advice. Always confirm details on the official sites below.
Start with the official sites
- France-Visas (opens in a new tab)france-visas.gouv.fr
The official site for applying for a visa to enter France, with a tool to find the right visa for your situation.
- ANEF (opens in a new tab)administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr
The government portal for residence permits: apply for or renew a titre de séjour online, and validate your long-stay visa (VLS-TS) after you arrive.
- Service-Public (opens in a new tab)service-public.fr
Plain-language official guides to your rights and procedures as a foreigner in France.
- OFII (opens in a new tab)ofii.fr
The French Office for Immigration and Integration, which supports newcomers with integration steps after arrival.
For students
- Campus France (opens in a new tab)campusfrance.org
Guidance for international students, including step-by-step tutorials for student visas and permits.
Free legal help & community support
Stuck, worried about a refusal, or unsure which permit applies? These organizations offer information and support, and their basic services are generally free.
- La Cimade (opens in a new tab)lacimade.org
Legal information and support for foreigners, with drop-in sessions at several locations in Paris and the Île-de-France region.
- GISTI (opens in a new tab)gisti.org
Reference legal information on the rights of foreigners, with free guides published online.
- France terre d’asile (opens in a new tab)france-terre-asile.org
Support for asylum seekers, refugees, and newcomers, including help with administrative steps.
- ADDE (opens in a new tab)adde.fr
A network of lawyers who defend the rights of foreigners, useful for finding a specialist.
Before you apply
- Never pay a middleman for ANEF or France-Visas.
The official portals are free to use. Be wary of third-party sites that charge fees or ask for your documents.
- Mind your deadlines.
If you arrive on a long-stay visa that needs validating, do it soon after arrival, and start renewals well before your permit expires. Check the exact timing for your permit type.
- Keep everything.
Save your confirmations, attestations, and emails. Take copies of your passport, permit, and application documents.
- Ask early if something goes wrong.
A refusal, a missing document, or a long delay is easier to handle with help from one of the organizations above.
Know a resource we’re missing?
Recommend an immigration lawyer, an association, or a guide that helped you, and we’ll review it for this page.
Suggest a resource (opens in a new tab)Last updated: . This page is for general information only and is not legal advice.