PARIS/DUBAI — International law firm iWorld has recorded a marked increase in demand for France’s long-stay visitor visa among applicants from the Gulf region, highlighting growing interest from residents of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.

The firm said enquiries related to the visa de long séjour “visiteur” have risen steadily over recent months, indicating a shift in how individuals from the Gulf approach long-term residence in Europe. Unlike work or investment-linked permits, the visitor visa allows non-EU nationals to live in France without taking up employment, provided they can demonstrate sufficient financial means, accommodation and health insurance.

According to iWorld, the trend reflects changing priorities among internationally mobile families and high-net-worth individuals, who are increasingly seeking legal residence options that are not tied to local labour markets or active business operations.

“We are seeing a clear change in the profile of demand,” a iWorld spokesperson said. “Applicants from the Gulf are less focused on employment-based or investment-driven immigration routes and more interested in residence frameworks that allow them to live in France while maintaining their financial and professional interests abroad.”

The firm noted that France has become particularly attractive due to its healthcare system, education infrastructure and relative predictability of residence rules, especially when compared with more complex or volatile immigration regimes elsewhere.

At the same time, iWorld said French authorities have applied closer scrutiny to visitor visa applications, placing increased emphasis on the transparency and structure of applicants’ financial arrangements. Even applicants with substantial assets may face refusal if income sources or long-term plans are not presented coherently.

“The visitor visa is often perceived as straightforward, but in practice it requires a consistent legal and financial narrative,” the spokesperson said. “French authorities are assessing not just wealth levels, but whether the proposed way of living in France aligns with the legal framework of the visa.”

iWorld added that the rise in interest from the Gulf coincides with broader global mobility patterns, as affluent individuals seek residence options that prioritise stability, quality of life and long-term planning over short-term relocation linked to work or investment incentives.

France does not offer a dedicated retirement or passive-income visa, but the visitor visa has increasingly been used by financially independent applicants as a basis for extended residence, with the possibility of renewal subject to continued compliance with its conditions.

Founded as an international legal advisory firm, iWorld provides immigration and residency services to private clients and families across Europe, the Middle East and North America. The firm advises on long-term residence strategies, cross-border mobility and regulatory compliance.

About iWorld

iWorld is an international law firm specialising in immigration and migration law, private client and family advisory, and long-term residence and residency matters in Europe. The firm works with clients from the Middle East, Europe, North America and Asia, and has extensive experience handling applications for France’s visitor visa and residence permits.

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