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Volunteer Visa (Volontariat)
VisasFranceVolunteer Visa (Volontariat)
FranceFrance•Europe
Open

Volunteer Visa (Volontariat)

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

4-8 weeks

Application Fee

549 EUR

Stay Duration

Up to 12 months

Renewable

No

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

No

Remote Work

Not Required

Apply Now Official Information
France flag

Living in France

Cost of Living
10% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary€28,800
Quality of Life
155/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

The French Volunteer Visa (Volontariat) is a long-stay visa for non-EU/EEA nationals undertaking civic service, association, or European Voluntary Service missions with a French non-profit. Applicants need a signed contract with an approved foundation, and the mission must be social or humanitarian in character.

Stays of 12 months or less are marked "Temporary exemption from a residence permit"; longer stays require a Visitor permit. The long-stay visa costs EUR 99; the APS provisional residence permit is free. No job offer is required and there is no PR pathway. Dependents have no right to work.

This visa is ideal for non-EU nationals aged 16 or older who have secured a volunteer placement with an accredited French non-profit for a humanitarian or civic mission.

Fee Breakdown

Long-Stay Visa Application Fee
99 EUR
APS (Temporary Residence Permit) Fee
100 EUR
Visitor Residence Permit Tax (Stays > 12 months)
350 EUR

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Signed volunteering contract (contrat de volontariat) with a recognized foundation or association of public utility.

Volunteering mission must have a social or humanitarian character.

Proof of financial support, accommodation, and coverage from the host association (attestation de prise en charge).

Valid passport.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Volunteering contract approved by French authorities

Taking-in-charge certificate (attestation de prise en charge) from host association

Proof of accommodation in France

Proof of sufficient funds or full board/lodging provided by host

Application Process

1

Sign a formal volunteer contract (contrat de volontariat) with an approved French non-profit organization or foundation.

2

Obtain a taking-in-charge certificate (attestation de prise en charge) from the host organization.

3

Apply for a long-stay visa marked 'Volontaire' via the official France-Visas portal.

4

Attend visa appointment at a French consulate or center with all supporting documents.

5

Upon arrival in France, validate the visa online or apply for the Temporary Residence Authorization (APS) as required.

Verified Claims (21)

Last verified May 31, 2026
Application StepsSign a formal volunteer contract (contrat de volontariat) with an approved French non-profit organiz…france-visas.gouv.fr
Dependent Visafalsefrance-visas.gouv.fr
Fee BreakdownLong-Stay Visa Application Fee: 99 EUR; APS (Temporary Residence Permit) Fee: 100 EUR; Visitor Resid…service-public.fr
Fee Breakdown · APS (Temporary Residence Permit) Fee · amount0service-public.gouv.fr
FeesEUR 99 for the long-stay visa application. The APS (temporary residence permit for volunteers) is is…service-public.gouv.fr
Included NationalitiesAll non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationalitiesfrance-visas.gouv.fr
Job Offer Requiredfalsefrance-visas.gouv.fr
Application Portalhttps://france-visas.gouv.fr/france-visas.gouv.fr

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