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France intra-company transfer visa (ICT)

Long-stay visa « salarié détaché ICT »

In short

Managers and experts transferred within a group to a French entity receive a "salarié détaché ICT" multi-year card for the length of the assignment, up to three years. They need at least six months' seniority in the group and resources of at least EUR 1,867.02 gross a month.

Apply on France-Visas (official visa portal) checked 25 October 2026

Key facts

Validity
Length of the assignment, up to three years, minus time already spent on the visa; not renewable.
Fee
€99Long-stay visa fee; the ICT card costs EUR 350 (EUR 300 tax + EUR 50 stamp duty).
Funds required
€1,867.02 per monthMinimum gross resources.
Family
Spouse and minor children join under the simplified accompanying-family procedure and may work.
Where to apply
France-Visas, then the French consulate or its visa application centre in your country of residence.

Conditions

You must have worked for the group for at least six months, shown by an employer certificate and payslips, and earn at least EUR 1,867.02 gross per month. For assignments of three months to one year, a VLS-TS with the ICT mention is sufficient.

After arrival: VLS-TS, OFII and residence card

Validate the VLS-TS online on the ANEF website within three months of arrival and pay the residence tax; without validation you are not lawfully resident and cannot travel back to France after leaving. OFII may summon you for a medical visit. Apply online for the next card between four and two months before the visa expires.

Duration and renewal

The card covers the assignment, up to three years in total, and time on the VLS-TS counts towards it. It is not renewable; a new card is possible after six cumulative months outside the EU and a new assignment.

Family

Your spouse and minor children apply for long-stay visas at the consulate as an accompanying family and receive cards that allow them to work.

Under the simplified accompanying-family procedure they come for the length of your stay without family reunification, even if they arrive after you or you marry after arriving. In France your spouse and adult children receive a "salarié détaché ICT (famille)" card valid for the remaining period of your stay, which allows any professional activity; minor children need no card until they come of age.

Refusal grounds and appeals

The prefecture must refuse the ICT card if the host establishment was set up mainly to facilitate the entry of seconded foreigners, if the employer or host company has been convicted of fraud or false declarations to obtain a work permit for a foreigner, or if the three-year maximum has been reached. It may refuse it if the employer or host was sanctioned for illegal work, convicted of hiring foreigners without work authorisation, or failed its social security, tax or labour-law obligations. If the prefecture has not replied after 90 days, the application is implicitly refused, and you have two months to file an administrative appeal and/or go to the administrative court.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • France-Visas long-stay form and receipt, signed
  • Passport valid for the stay, issued less than 10 years ago, with copies
  • Recent ICAO-standard photo and proof of legal residence in the country where you apply

Travel

  • Proof of accommodation

Money

  • Proof of gross pay of at least EUR 1,867.02 a month

Work

  • Assignment letter and employment contract within the group
  • Employer certificate and payslips proving six months in the group
  • Diplomas matching the senior manager or expert post
  • Proof that the employing and host companies belong to the same group

How to apply, step by step

  1. Create your long-stay application on France-Visas, choosing the "intra-company transfer (ICT)" purpose, and print the form and receipt.
  2. Book an appointment with the French consulate or the visa application centre it uses in your country of residence, and attend in person with originals and copies.
  3. Pay the visa fee and give fingerprints; the consulate decides on the long-stay visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS).
  4. Within three months of arriving in France, validate the VLS-TS online on the ANEF website and pay the residence tax.
  5. Attend the OFII appointments if you are summoned (medical visit, integration contract where applicable).
  6. Apply online for the residence card between four and two months before the VLS-TS expires.

Frequently asked questions

How long must I have worked for the group?

At least six months before the transfer.

Can the ICT card be renewed?

No. A new card requires six months outside the EU and a new assignment.

Can my spouse work?

Yes, the family members' cards allow work.

Which form is used for the ICT card?

Cerfa form no. 15619, together with the documents it lists and the signed commitment to respect the principles of the Republic.

What about missions of 90 days or less?

Short intra-group mobility of up to 90 days uses a separate notification form for short-term secondment, not the ICT card.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for France

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

Study and training

  • Student visa Validity: VLS-TS from four months to one year; then a one-year card, followed by a multi-year card for the rest of the degree.
  • Researcher visa Validity: Length of the hosting agreement, up to four years.
  • Internship and trainee visa Maximum stay: Company internship: six months initially; continuing training: 12 months, renewable once up to 18 months.

Work

  • Work visa Validity: First year on the VLS-TS; then a four-year multi-year card for permanent employees still in the job, or a card matching the fixed-term contract.
  • Skilled worker visa Validity: Length of the contract, up to four years.
  • EU Blue Card Validity: Contracts of two years or more: length of the contract up to four years; shorter contracts: contract plus three months, up to two years.

Family

  • Family reunification visa Processing time: The mayor checks resources and housing within two months; the prefect decides within six months of the complete file reaching OFII (silence means refusal).
  • Spouse and partner visa Validity: VLS-TS valid one year; then a multi-year card of two to four years.

Residence

  • Retirement visa Validity: VLS-TS for the first year, then a renewable one-year card.
  • Permanent residence Validity: 10 years, renewable. The EU card lapses after more than three consecutive years outside the EU or six years outside France; the ordinary resident card after more than three consecutive years outside France.

Protection

France visa guide