France

Tourism, sightseeing, business meetings, conferences, visiting friends and family on a passport that needs no Schengen visa, across the whole Schengen Area.

For Irish citizens, who live, work and travel in France freely as citizens of the EU, on a passport.

Short-stay visa for passports that need one: tourism, business trips, cultural events, conferences, medical treatment, visiting family. Applied for at the French consulate, with travel insurance meeting the Schengen minimum coverage — the current threshold is checked with the consulate.

Enrolment at French universities and grandes écoles, exchange programmes, doctoral research, French language courses. Applications go through Campus France in most countries, and the VLS-TS includes work authorisation for up to 964 hours a year.

Employment with a French employer, including intra-company transfers. Requires a signed employment contract and leads to a residence permit (titre de séjour) on arrival.

France's programme for highly skilled professionals in several categories — researchers, artists, entrepreneurs, investors, elite athletes, tech professionals — with a simplified procedure and the option to include family members from the first application.

Joining a spouse, PACS partner, minor children or other family members legally residing in France — whether French citizens or residence permit holders.

Living with a French host family, with childcare duties and mandatory enrolment in a French language course. Ages 18–30, basic French (A1–A2) required.

For young adults from Australia, New Zealand and Canada under bilateral agreements (18–30, or 18–35 depending on the agreement), combining travel with paid work.