Long-Stay Visa France
France is a land of captivating beauty, and its stunning landscapes stretch from bustling cities to charming coastal towns and picturesque villages. With its vibrant culture and countless opportunities, it’s not surprising that so many visitors fall in love and want to stay longer than the 90-day limit for non-EU nationals.
Whether you're a tourist, student, expat, or retiree, the allure of La Belle France is truly hard to resist.
The French government recognises this, so they have made it easier for foreigners to extend their stay with the long-stay visa. This special visa, issued by French consular authorities, opens the door to those who wish to explore new opportunities in education, work, retirement, or family reunification.
If you’re exploring the possibility of working or studying in France or joining a family already in France, the long-stay visa option would be your ideal route to check if the place is a good fit for you in a more long-term scenario down the road.
What Does a Long-Stay Visa in France Mean?
Basically, this visa allows you to stay beyond the 3-month validity period of visas issued to citizens of non-EU countries like the UK.
Here’s the gist of what you need to know:
- The period for a long-stay visa is more than three months but less than a year
- Applicants need to apply for a long-stay visa in their home country before coming to France
- During its validity period, the long-term visa serves the same purpose as a Schengen visa, which means you can move around and stay in the Schengen Area under the same conditions as applicable for a Schengen visa.
- A long-stay visa allows you to remain in the country for an extended period, whether for tourism, personal reasons, professional activities, studying, or reuniting with family.
- It can be renewed and may also serve as a pathway to obtaining a residence permit if you plan to stay for more than a year.
Long-Stay Visa as Residence Permit (VLS-TS)
Holders of a long-stay visa marked "carte de séjour à solliciter à l’arrivée en France" (residence permit to be applied for upon arrival in France) must apply for a residence permit at the French prefectural authority in their place of residence within two months of entering France.
To apply, you need to validate your VLS-TS and pay the applicable tax and visa fee within the first three months of your arrival.
This long-stay visa applies to the following:
- Student
- Employee (holder of a contract of indefinite duration)
- Direct family of a French citizen or resident
- Talented passport (A type of long-stay visa designed for foreign nationals who wish to work in France in specific fields that are considered beneficial to the French economy)
This visa is usually issued to individuals who wish to pursue studies in France and employees with an indefinite employment period contract. It is also available to foreigners married to a French national. There are no conditions necessary for those with French spouses. Still, an application could be refused in cases of fraudulent marriages, annulled or void marriages, or if the applicant poses a threat to public order.
Let’s have an in-depth look at each of these.
Long-Stay Student Visa
The long-stay visa valid as a residence permit for students (visa long séjour valant titre de séjour "étudiant," or VLS-TS "étudiant") is designed for individuals who wish to pursue higher education or training in France for a period ranging from 4 months to 1 year. This visa can be renewed as a multi-annual residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) if a longer stay is needed, subject to statutory requirements.
A student visa entitles you to all the privileges to move around and travel to the Schengen Area, work for a maximum of 964 hours per year to support your financial needs as a student, receive subsidies and government support like VISALE (France’s rental guarantee scheme).
Requirements:
- Valid passport
- Valid photo
- Completed visa application form
- Payment of visa processing fee
- Proof of enrolment
- Academic records such as diplomas, transcripts or records
- Proof of financial means to support your study and living expenses like bank statements, proof of support, scholarship grants
- Proof of accommodation in France (not Airbnb or hotel accommodations)
- Proof of intention to return to your home country after finishing your course
- Health insurance coverage
- Other documents required by the school
Application Process:
- Apply to enroll in a higher education institution in France
- Upon passing, request for an acceptance letter from the institution
- Prepare your documentary requirements for visa application
- Apply for a long-stay student visa in the French embassy or consulate in your home country (this can be done online in some countries)
- Attend the interview
- Pay the visa application fee
- Observe the waiting period
- Receive your visa
- Submit any additional documents or pay the required fees upon arrival in France in the prefecture
Long-Stay Work Visa
France has a robust economy and welcomes eligible foreigners who wish to be part of the country’s workforce or contribute to business activities via the long-stay work visa or Visa de Long Séjour pour Travail.
This visa is also applicable for temporary or project-based workers, highly-skilled workers, exceptional talents like artists, employees of multinational companies assigned to the French office, seasonal workers, and self-employed individuals or entrepreneurs.
Depending on the documents you present and the work you’re going to do, this visa allows you to stay for an extended period of one year and may be renewed.
Requirements:
- Valid passport
- Valid photo
- Completed visa application form
- Payment of visa processing fee
- Job or employment offer
- Proof of education
- Proof of work credentials
- Proof of financial means to work and stay in France
- Proof of accommodation or residence arrangement like lease contract and health insurance coverage
- ACRO certification for work involving sensitive roles and vulnerable environments
Application Process:
- Obtain a job or employment offer
- Prepare other documentary requirements
- Submit your application together with the requirements to the French embassy or consulate in your home country (this can be done online in some countries)
- Attend the interview
- Pay the visa processing fee
- Observe the waiting period
- Receive the visa
- Upon arriving in France, submit post-arrival requirements like OFII registration and residence permit requirements
Long-Stay Family Visa
This visa is for direct family members of a French national or resident who wish to join their family in France. To be eligible, you must be a spouse, child, or dependent relative. This visa is valid for one year and may be renewed depending on eligibility for renewal.
Also called Visa de Long Séjour pour Réunion Familiale, the purpose of this visa is to facilitate the reunification of French citizens with their families.
Requirements:
- Valid passport
- Valid photo
- Completed visa application form
- Payment of visa processing fee
- Proof of family relationship like birth certificate, marriage certificate, or family tree record
- Proof of citizenship or residential status of the French citizen or resident you're related to
- Proof of the French citizen or resident’s financial means to support the family member
- Proof of accommodation in France (not Airbnb or hotel accommodations)
- Health insurance coverage
- ACRO certification (in some cases)
Application Process:
- Prepare documentary requirements
- Submit a completed application form along with your documents to the French embassy or consulate in your home country (this can be done online in some countries)
- Attend the interview
- Pay for the processing fee
- Observe the waiting period
- Receive the visa
- Upon arriving in France, submit post-arrival requirements like OFII registration and residence permit requirements
Long-Stay Retiree Visa
France is one of the most desired destinations for retirees, including British nationals. This long-stay retiree visa or Visa de Long Séjour pour Retraité is generally valid for one year with a possible extension if found eligible for an extended, long-term stay.
Retirees need to provide proof of their retirement status, health insurance coverage, and financial means to spend the rest of their years in France.
Requirements:
- Valid passport
- Valid photo
- Completed application form
- Payment of visa processing fee
- Proof of retirement status like retirement certificate, pension payment statements, or tax returns reflecting pension income
- Proof of adequate financial means to retire in France like recent bank statements, pension statements, proof of income from business
- Proof of accommodation in France (not Airbnb or hotel accommodations)
- Health insurance coverage
Application Process:
- Prepare documentary requirements
- Submit a completed application form along with your documents to the French embassy or consulate in your home country (this can be done online in some countries)
- Attend the interview and pay for the processing fee
- Observe the waiting period
- Receive the visa
- Upon arriving in France, submit post-arrival requirements like OFII registration and residence permit requirements
The Logistics of Your Long-Stay Plan
Planning for your long-stay move to France entails planning for your personal belongings. Will you be shipping them to your destination or storing them while you’re away?
Staying for a year or more in a foreign country with the intention to extend your stay requires taking care of your personal items and making your transition hassle-free.
In such a case, Gentlevan Removals has your back. We are a trusted service provider offering comprehensive house removal services throughout the UK and Europe.
We provide packing, storing, and moving services to individuals who are relocating to Europe and nearby regions.
Contact us today for inquiries and for a free online quote. Taking care of the logistics of your long stay in France doesn’t have to be a burden. Gentlevan Removals is here to support your big move.