From the visa to French nationality, step by step

Find the procedures that apply to you, from the visa to nationality. This is not a mandatory sequence: the rules depend on your nationality, situation and the permit you are applying for. Each stage links the relevant official fiches.

1. Before you leave: the visa

   Before a stay of more than 3 months, check whether you need a long-stay visa. Some long-stay visas also act as residence permits (VLS-TS).

   1. Check whether your nationality and the length of your stay require a visa.
   2. Apply on France-Visas before you leave, with the documents for your reason.
   3. If you hold a VLS-TS, validate it online within 3 months of arrival.
   • Visa to visit France (visa pour venir en France)
   • Visa de long séjour (séjour de plus de 3 mois à 1 an)

   Un étranger a-t-il besoin d'un visa pour venir en France ? · 2026-11-03

2. On arrival: integration and health cover

   Check whether you must sign the Republican integration contract with OFII and which training it provides for. For health cover, check the rules for your country of origin and status.

   1. Check whether you must sign the Republican integration contract with OFII.
   2. Follow the civic training and, where the contract provides for them, the French lessons.
   3. Check the health insurance registration procedures for your status.
   • Republican integration contract (contrat d'intégration républicaine)
   • Assurance maladie d'un étranger qui s'installe en France

   Qu'est-ce que le contrat d'intégration républicaine (CIR) ? · 2026-11-03

3. Your residence permit

   The permit depends on your situation: employee, student, private and family life, talent. Check your permit's fiche for where to apply and what the document issued while your application is pending allows you to do.

   1. Find the permit that matches your situation.
   2. Follow the filing instructions and document list on the official fiche.
   3. Check whether the document you receive after applying proves lawful residence and allows you to work.
   4. Report a change of address, a lost or a stolen permit.
   • Carte de séjour "vie privée et familiale" d'un étranger en France
   • Travail d'un étranger en France : carte de séjour - salarié/travailleur temporaire
   • Student visa or residence permit (visa ou titre de séjour étudiant)
   • Carte talent : carte de séjour pluriannuelle d'un étranger en France
   • Residence permit application receipt (récépissé de demande de titre de séjour)
   • Change of address declaration (déclaration de changement d’adresse)
   • Que doit faire un étranger en cas de perte de sa carte de séjour ?
   • Que doit faire un étranger en cas de vol de sa carte de séjour ?

   Carte de séjour "vie privée et familiale" d'un étranger en France · 2026-11-03

4. Bringing your family

   Family reunification concerns non-European foreign nationals with a residence permit. Check the conditions for bringing your spouse and minor children: length of residence, income and housing. The family of a French national follows a different procedure.

   1. Check the residence, income and housing conditions.
   2. File the family reunification application with OFII.
   3. Check the arrival procedures that apply to each family member: visa, medical visit and integration.
   • Regroupement familial
   • Le regroupement familial concerne-t-il toutes les familles étrangères ?
   • Residence as a French citizen’s spouse (séjour du conjoint de Français)

   Regroupement familial · 2026-11-03

5. Driving in France

   For a non-European licence, check how long you may drive after settling and whether an exchange is possible. If the licence cannot be exchanged, check the conditions for taking the French driving test.

   1. Check whether your licence can be exchanged and by when.
   2. Apply for the exchange on ANTS with the documents it asks for.
   3. If your licence cannot be exchanged, check the conditions for taking the French driving test.
   • Driving with a foreign licence (Conduire avec un permis étranger)
   • Non-European licence exchange (échange de permis)
   • Un Ukrainien peut-il conduire en France avec un permis ukrainien ?

   Peut-on conduire en France avec un permis étranger ? · 2026-11-03

6. The civic exam and the French level

   These procedures can require passing the civic exam and proof of French level. Check the requirements and exemptions for your application before booking a test.

   1. Prepare with the official questions and our explanations.
   2. Take the exam in an approved centre and keep the pass certificate.
   3. Prove your French level with a diploma, a recognised test or a certificate.
   • Naturalisation française : comment passer l’examen civique ?
   • Carte de séjour pluriannuelle et carte de résident : comment passer l’examen civique ?
   • Proving your French level (justifier de votre connaissance du français)
   • Proving your French level (justifier de son niveau en français)

   Naturalisation française : comment passer l’examen civique ? · 2026-11-03

7. The resident card and nationality

   Resident cards and naturalisation are separate procedures, each with its own conditions. Check the fiche for the card or nationality procedure that applies to you.

   1. Check the conditions for the resident card or EU long-term resident card.
   2. For a naturalisation application, gather the documents requested, including proof of civil status, address and income.
   3. Follow the fiche's instructions for submitting the file and attending the interview.
   • Carte de résident de longue durée-UE (étranger en France depuis 5 ans)
   • 10-year resident card (carte de résident)
   • Permanent resident card (carte de résident permanent)
   • Naturalisation française par décret
   • Comment obtenir la nationalité française ?
   • Qu'est-ce que la cérémonie d'accueil dans la citoyenneté française ?

   Carte de résident de longue durée-UE (étranger en France depuis 5 ans) · 2026-11-03