France: long-stay visa for Mayotte, what the order changes

The Order of 24 September 2026 amends the entry rules for Mayotte. Until now, these rules applied only to short stays. Since 9 October 2026, they also apply to long-stay visas.

What this means in practice for a company: an employee who enters Mayotte on a visa bearing the Mayotte designation cannot, on the basis of that document alone, travel to mainland France or any other French territory. A separate permit is required.

A Mayotte visa only grants access to the island: what the Order of 24 September clarifies

✅ The long-stay visa now falls within the scope of the Order: Until now, the Order governed entry for stays not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period. It now also covers long-stay visas issued under point 1° of Article L. 411-1 of the CESEDA.

✅ The passport must remain valid until the expiry of the long-stay visa: For stays of more than 90 days, the validity requirement for the travel document is tied to the expiry date of the long-stay visa. For stays of 90 days or less, the previous rule continues to apply.

✅ Two technical references are updated: Article L. 211-1 of the CESEDA, which had become obsolete, is replaced by Article L. 311-1. The reference to the standard visa model is also updated to refer to the annex to Regulation (EC) No 1683/95.

These adjustments replace no other step. The visa, the work authorisation and the residence permit remain three separate documents.

To clarify their respective roles, see our guide on the differences between a visa, a work permit and a residence permit. The work authorisation of a foreign employee follows its own procedure; the work visa for France sets out the general logic.

Assignment to mainland France: three things to do before departure

Residence permits issued in Mayotte in principle authorise residence on the island only, with the exception of the permits referred to in Article L. 441-8 of the CESEDA. Holders who wish to travel elsewhere in France must obtain a visa: short-stay for under 90 days, long-stay beyond that or for settling outside Mayotte.

• Check the visa sticker before any travel: a visa bearing the mention Mayotte covers neither mainland France nor other French territories.
• Plan a dedicated visa for each assignment outside Mayotte and submit the application to the French authorities at least six weeks before departure, as they recommend.
• Compare the expiry date of the long-stay visa with the validity of the passport before sending the file.