Western Europe · Immigration

France

167 immigration routes

France sits in Western Europe. Its immigration system runs 167 distinct routes — led by family, work and long-term residence, each set out in official law. All 167 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

Immigration routes
167across 15 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
167 of 167cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Family40 of the 167 routes — see them under Family below
Region
Western Europe
Capital
Paris
Population
68,720,337
Official language
French
Currency
EUR
Time zone
14 zones
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 167 routes, grouped by purpose — 167 of 167 cite an official government source directly.

Work

30 routes

Investment

from €300,000
1 route

Starting a business

from €22,404.20
7 routes

Talent and merit

from €22,404.20
10 routes

Study

from €615
12 routes

Entry for a higher-education entrance examination with possible post-success regularisation

Eligibility: 2Process & costs: 2Report facts: 1
Official government source: france-visas.gouv.fr · checked 2026-07-27

Family

40 routes

Living from your own income

from €17,735.19/yr
3 routes

Long-term residence

22 routes

Free movement

9 routes

Youth mobility

2 routes

Cultural travel with incidental work under a bilateral working-holiday agreement

Eligibility: 3Process & costs: 2Report facts: 3
Official government source: france-visas.gouv.fr · checked 2026-07-27

Cultural and language exchange through a regulated au-pair placement

Eligibility: 4Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 2
Official government source: france-visas.gouv.fr · checked 2026-07-27

Culture, faith and volunteering

from €1,306.91/mo
6 routes

Short stays and visits

4 routes

Humanitarian protection

15 routes

Medical treatment

5 routes

Transit

1 route

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

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