From GoinGlobal

France: Work permits and visas

There are several visas and permits available for travel, work or study in France. All visas must be issued in the applicant's country of residence and cannot be renewed or changed after arrival in France. Visas must be applied for at the local consulate, which is determined by the applicant's country or state of residence. Processing times vary depending upon the type of visa but generally range from one to three weeks. Student visas can take up to two months so it is best to begin the process early. Visa processing fees are in local currency and fluctuate with the Euro exchange rate. Work permits must first be applied for by an employer on behalf of the employee and are only issued after a visa has been obtained. The French Foreign Ministry provides detailed information about the application processes for visas and work permits on its website at http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/. However, the bulk of the information available is in French so it may be helpful to visit local consulate websites for guidelines in English (e.g., http://www.consulfrance-newyork.org http://www.consulfrance-newyork.org, http://www.consulfrance-sanfrancisco.org,http://www.consulfrance-chicago.org).

Most visa applications will require a photo or photos that meet specific requirements. All photos must be recent, identical and passport size - 2 in x 2 in (4.5 cm x 4.5 cm) and showing the entire face, including the forehead, hairline and ears, on a white background.