France•Europe4-8 weeks
549 EUR
Up to 12 months
No
Not Required
Allowed
No
Not Required

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.
Long-Stay Visa Application Fee | 99 EUR |
APS (Temporary Residence Permit) Fee | 100 EUR |
Visitor Residence Permit Tax (Stays > 12 months) | 350 EUR |
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.
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 Steps | Sign a formal volunteer contract (contrat de volontariat) with an approved French non-profit organiz… | france-visas.gouv.fr |
| Dependent Visa | false | france-visas.gouv.fr |
| Fee Breakdown | Long-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 · amount | 0 | service-public.gouv.fr |
| Fees | EUR 99 for the long-stay visa application. The APS (temporary residence permit for volunteers) is is… | service-public.gouv.fr |
| Included Nationalities | All non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationalities | france-visas.gouv.fr |
| Job Offer Required | false | france-visas.gouv.fr |
| Application Portal | https://france-visas.gouv.fr/ | france-visas.gouv.fr |
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