Increase your vocabulary with this glossary of visa terms in French. This list can greatly help you during the different steps of the immigration process.
Read How to get a French visa to get an overall picture of the immigration process when relocating to France.
Make sure you check my sentences in French at the bottom of the page to know how to use the words correctly.
| French Term | English translation |
|---|---|
| une autorisation provisoire de travail ou APT | temporary work authorization |
| une attestation d’accueil | proof of accommodation given by the host of a foreigner |
| en cours de validité | currently valid |
| une carte de résident | ten-year residence permit |
| une carte de résident permanent | permanent residence permit |
| une carte de séjour or CDS | residence permit |
| une carte de séjour temporaire | one-year residence permit |
| une carte de séjour pluriannuelle | multi-year residence permit |
| un certificat médical délivré par l’OFII | OFII medical certificate |
| CIR ou le Contrat d’intégration républicaine | adaptation pact between a foreigner who wants to live in France and the state of France |
| une convention d’accueil | hosting agreement |
| un duplicata | copy of a legal document |
| l’espace Schengen | Schengen area |
| un étranger | foreigner |
| l’immigration | immigration |
| OFII ou l’Office français de l’immigration et de l’intégration | French office for immigration and integration |
| un passeport | passport |
| les pièces justificatives | required documents |
| une préfecture | local government office |
| un regroupement familial | family reunification |
| un titre de séjour ou TS | residence permit |
| un titulaire de visa | visa holder |
| un récépissé | document which proves that you applied for a residence permit |
| renouveler un visa | renew a visa |
| un timbre fiscal | excise stamp |
| VFS Global | company that facilitates visa applications |
| un visa | visa |
| Visabio | French file system that stores biometrics data for visa applicants |
| valider un visa | validate a visa |
| un visa de court séjour | short-stay visa (< 90 days) |
| VLS ou un visa de long séjour | long-stay visa (between three months and a year) |
| VLS-TS ou un visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour | long-stay visa equivalent to a resident permit |
| un visa étudiant | student visa |
| un visa non renouvelable | non-renewable visa |
| un visa stagiaire | intern visa |
| un visa temporaire | temporary visa |
| un visa visiteur | visitor visa |
Sentences in French
The following sentences will come handy when you need to renew your visa or your residence permit.
Je vous appelle car j’aimerais renouveler ma carte de séjour.
I am calling because I would like to renew my residence permit.
Bonjour, je voudrais acheter un timbre fiscal s’il vous plait.
Hello, I would like to purchase an excise stamp please.
J’ai une question concernant mon dossier de demande de titre de séjour.
I have a question regarding my application for a residence permit.
J’ai perdu ma carte de séjour et je voudrais obtenir un duplicata.
I lost my residence permit and I would like to get an official copy.
Are you aware that a travel insurance is mandatory for your French visa? Read Travel Insurance for a French Visa to learn the requirements and get an affordable policy.
