The government has announced increases in the cost of the tax that a foreign national must pay for the issuance of a residence permit, effective May 1, 2026.
To obtain a temporary residence card, a multi-year residence card or a resident card, a foreign national wishing to reside in France must buy a tax stamp. This payment must be made once the application has been accepted, for the issuance of the document.
From May 1, 2026, the amount of this tax stamp is EUR 350 for the first-time issuance of one of these residence permits (compared to EUR 225 previously).
A reduced rate applies to residence permits issued for certain reasons, for example:
- seasonal worker;
- student;
- job search or business creation;
- family reunification;
- au pair.
From May 1, 2026, this reduced tax stamp rate will be EUR 150 (compared to EUR 75 previously).
The cost for the renewal of a residence permit has also increased to EUR 250 (compared to EUR 225 previously).
The reduced rate for renewals, which applies in the same situations as for a first-time issuance, is now set at EUR 100 (compared to EUR 75 previously).
The cost of the tax stamp for obtaining a duplicate residence permit is now the same as for the first-time issuance of the document: EUR 350 for the normal rate, and EUR 150 for the reduced rate.
A new tax for provisional residence permits
A new fee has been established for the issuance and renewal of a provisional residence permit, which is issued to foreign nationals carrying out a volunteer mission in France, or who are parents of a seriously ill minor child. This now costs EUR 100.
Two categories of people are exempt from paying this tax:
- people coming out of prostitution engaged in a social and professional integration process;
- beneficiaries of temporary protection.
Other changes to immigration fees
Several other tariff provisions concerning foreign nationals came into force on May 1, 2026.
The tax stamp for applications for naturalization and reintegration into French nationality, and for declarations of acquisition of nationality, has increased to EUR 255, up from EUR 55 previously. In Guyana, the amount of this tax stamp is halved in accordance with the provisions of the General Tax Code; it is therefore set at EUR 127.50, compared to EUR 27.50 previously.
The regularization visa fee is now EUR 300, including a EUR 100 non-refundable deposit, which is due upon submission of the regularization application (compared to EUR 200, including a EUR 50 non-refundable deposit previously). The right to a regularization visa applies to foreign nationals who entered France irregularly or who do not have a residence permit within the regulatory deadlines.
The amount of the tax for a long-stay visa valid as a residence permit or exempt from a residence permit has been set at EUR 300 as of May 1, 2026, compared to EUR 200 previously. A reduced rate is applied for certain statuses (seasonal worker, student, family reunification, job search or business creation, etc.). This reduced rate is now EUR 100, compared to EUR 50 previously.
The Finance Act for 2026 provides for these tax increases.
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