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French visa for Russians and Ukrainians 2026

There are two main visas for France: the short-stay Schengen (type C) for a visit, and the long-stay (type D, often a VLS-TS) for moving. Since September 2022 Russian citizens apply at the standard €90 fee. All figures are as of 2026 — check current ones on france-visas.gouv.fr.

29 June 2026 · 3 min read

Two fundamentally different visas lead to France. Choosing wrong costs time and money, so let’s start with the key point: type C is for a visit, type D is for moving.

Short-stay Schengen visa (type C)

It allows you to stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area. It suits tourism, a business trip, visiting relatives, a short internship. Paid work is only possible with a work authorisation.

  • Fee: €90 for adults (it rose from €80 to €90 on 11 June 2024), €45 for children aged 6–11, free under 6.
  • Biometrics: photo and fingerprints are recorded in the VISABIO file; children under 12 are exempt from fingerprints.
  • How Russian citizens apply: the online form on France-Visas, then document submission and biometrics via VFS Global or a consulate.

Long-stay visa (type D) and VLS-TS

This is the visa for moving: it allows entry and residence for 4 to 12 months, plus movement within Schengen (no more than 90 days per period). A special form is the VLS-TS (visa valant titre de séjour): it itself serves as a residence permit, with no separate card to obtain.

Mandatory: the VLS-TS must be validated online within 3 months of arrival via the ANEF portal, or it is cancelled. From 1 May 2026 the validation fee is €300 (students €150).

Long-stay visa categories

  • Étudiant — for studies; usually a VLS-TS, student validation €150.
  • Salarié — under an employment contract with a French employer.
  • Passeport talent — for the highly qualified; salary threshold €39,582/year; the EU Blue Card is €59,373/year (arrêté of 21 August 2025).
  • Visiteur — residence without the right to work; sufficient resources and health insurance required.
  • Vie privée et familiale / conjoint de Français — on family grounds, for spouses of French citizens.

More on categories and the dossier is in the guide Titre de séjour: residence permit step by step.

Visa by invitation (attestation d’accueil)

For a private visit by relatives or friends of under 3 months, the host arranges an attestation d’accueil at the town hall where they live. The tax stamp is €30.

The reality for Russian citizens in 2026

The EU’s visa-facilitation agreement with Russia has been fully suspended since 9 September 2022. The effects: the former reduced fee (€35) is gone, processing is longer, more documents are required, checks are stricter. The base Schengen fee is the standard €90. Applications go via France-Visas and VFS Global. The specific VFS service fee and processing times change — check them directly on the official sites.

Fresh practical nuances — how a given visa centre works, what documents are actually requested — are discussed regularly by our community in the chat.

The “Vibe South of France” community chat on Telegram — visas, moving and life in the South

See also:

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Schengen visa to France cost?
The base fee for adults is €90 (it rose from €80 to €90 on 11 June 2024). Children aged 6–11 pay €45; under 6 is free. The visa centre’s service fee is paid separately — check it on the VFS Global site. As of 2026, verify current.
What's the difference between a C and a D visa?
Type C (short-stay Schengen) is up to 90 days in 180 for tourism, visits, business; it isn’t for moving. Type D (long-stay) is 4 to 12 months; it’s often a VLS-TS that itself serves as a residence permit and needs no separate card.
What is OFII validation of a VLS-TS?
A long-stay VLS-TS visa must be validated online within 3 months of arrival (the ANEF portal), or it is cancelled. From 1 May 2026 the validation fee is €300 (students €150). Check the current amount on service-public.gouv.fr.
How do you arrange an invitation for relatives to visit?
The host applies for an attestation d’accueil at the town hall (mairie) where they live; the tax stamp is €30. This document confirms the guest’s accommodation for a short-stay visa.
What changed for Russian citizens?
The EU’s visa-facilitation agreement with Russia has been fully suspended since 9 September 2022: the former reduced €35 fee is gone, processing is longer and more expensive, with stricter checks. The base fee is now the standard €90. Applications go via France-Visas and VFS Global.

This is your chat in the South of France

Questions about moving, housing, doctors, schools, where to buy buckwheat — and just good company. ~400 people in the chat answer in Russian every day. Free.

Open the Vibe South of France chat on Telegram @vibe_sud_france