French Long-Stay Visa: Your Guide to Staying in France Over 3 Months

Key Takeaways

• Applicants must prove over €1,300 monthly, private health insurance, and non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationality for the VLS-TS Visitor visa.
• Visa process requires online application, in-person appointment, biometric data, €99 fee, and visa validation within three months of arrival.
• Stay allowed: three to twelve months; no work permitted; renewal via “carte de séjour” application before original visa expires.

If you are a non-EU, non-EEA, or non-Swiss national and wish to live in France 🇫🇷 for more than three months without working or running a business, the French Republic Long-Stay Visa equivalent to a Residence Permit (VLS-TS) Visitor (Visiteur) is the standard route. This visa is popular among retirees, people who want a long holiday, or anyone seeking a private, extended stay in France 🇫🇷. The rules are clear, and following them closely will help you have a smoother experience.

This guide will explain everything you need to know about the French Republic Long-Stay Visa, Residence Permit, and Visitor status. Each step is laid out in simple language so you can follow along easily. We’ll cover eligibility, required documents, how to apply, fees, how long the process takes, and how long the visa lasts. We’ll also provide tips, best practices, and what to do after you arrive in France 🇫🇷.

Quick Checklist for the French Republic Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS) Visitor:

• Are you a citizen of a country outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland 🇨🇭?
• Do you plan to stay in France 🇫🇷 for more than three months, but not work?
• Do you have more than €1,300 per month to support yourself?
• Have you arranged a place to live?
• Do you have full private health insurance for your entire stay?
• Are you ready to say in writing you won’t work in France 🇫🇷?

If you answered yes to all these, you can start your application for the French Republic Long-Stay Visa equivalent to a Residence Permit (VLS-TS) Visitor (Visiteur).

1. Who can apply?

Not everyone needs or can get this visa. To qualify for the French Republic Long-Stay Visa equivalent to a Residence Permit for the Visitor category, you must:

• Not be a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland 🇨🇭. If you are, you do not need this type of visa.
• Plan to visit France 🇫🇷 for more than 90 days and not work in any job and not run a business.
• Be able to support yourself financially. Usually, this means you must show you have more than €1,300 net (after taxes) per month.
• Have a place to stay in France 🇫🇷. This could be a hotel booking, rental contract, or a letter from someone hosting you.
• Have private health insurance that covers you for the whole time you will be in France 🇫🇷.
• Be willing to sign a statement promising not to work.
• Understand that the French Republic Long-Stay Visa, Residence Permit, Visitor status, does not allow you to work. You cannot take any paid job or run a business.

Important: European Health Insurance Cards are not accepted for this purpose. You must get private health insurance.

2. What documents do you need?

Having the right documents is key. Most applicants will need to prepare:

• A completed visa application form. This is available on the official France Visas website.
• Your valid passport, with at least two blank pages and valid for at least three months after you plan to leave France 🇫🇷.
• Recent passport-sized photos (French standards).
• Proof you have enough money to live in France 🇫🇷 without working (bank statements that show regular income or savings—more than €1,300 per month).
• Proof of where you will live during your stay. This can be:
  • A hotel booking,
  • A signed rental agreement,
  • Or an “attestation d’hébergement,” which is a signed letter from a host in France 🇫🇷.
• Proof of private health insurance that covers the whole length of your stay.
• A signed letter from you, agreeing not to work in France 🇫🇷.

Depending on your background, you might be asked to provide more documents. Each French consulate or visa center may have its own extra requirements. It is best to use the official France Visas website and follow their step-by-step checklist.

Tip: Start gathering your documents early. Missing documents can delay your application or lead to a refusal.

3. How do you apply?

A. Fill Out the Online Application

• Go to the France Visas portal.
• Use the “visa wizard” tool to check your individual needs. This tool helps you understand exactly what papers you must provide, based on your nationality and personal situation.
• Complete the application form online. Print it out and sign it.

B. Book and Attend Your Appointment

• After finishing your online application, book an appointment at your nearest French consulate or an official visa application center.
• At your appointment, you must bring all your papers. You’ll also have your fingerprints taken (biometric data).
• Note: Some centers are busier than others, so try to book early, especially before holiday seasons.

C. Pay the Visa Fees

• The standard application fee for the French Republic Long-Stay Visa, Residence Permit (Visitor) is about €99.
• You usually pay this fee when you submit your documents.
• Fees can sometimes change a bit from place to place, so always check with your local visa office.

D. Wait for Processing

• Processing often takes several weeks, but some people get their answer very quickly—sometimes in eight days if all is straightforward.
• Processing time depends on your home country, season, and how busy the consulate is.
• Apply up to three months before you want to arrive in France 🇫🇷.

4. What happens after you get your visa and arrive in France 🇫🇷?

A. Validate Your Visa Within 3 Months

• After you arrive in France 🇫🇷, you must validate your visa online within three months.
• You do this at the official government platform.
• You’ll have to pay a validation tax—usually around €200.
• Sometimes, the French immigration office (OFII) might invite you for a medical exam. If so, you must attend.

Important: If you do not validate your French Republic Long-Stay Visa, Residence Permit, Visitor status within three months, you lose your legal residency and might not be able to stay in France 🇫🇷.

Tip: Do this as soon as you arrive in France 🇫🇷. Don’t risk forgetting.

5. How much does it cost?

Here’s a table for easy reference:

Always check the most recent fee when you apply, as amounts may change slightly. Local visa centers can also sometimes add service fees.

6. How long is your visa valid for?

• The French Republic Long-Stay Visa equivalent to a Residence Permit (VLS-TS) Visitor (Visiteur) is valid from three months up to one year (twelve months).
• Most visas are more than three months. The longest is one year.
• This visa counts as both your entry visa and your residence permit after you validate it online.
• If you want to stay longer, you must apply for a special card called a “carte de séjour” at your local prefecture before your visa runs out. You can usually do this in the last two months of your visa.
• If you only need to stay up to six months, and you do not want residency or renewal, there is another option called the VLS-T (visa long séjour temporaire).

7. Tips, Common Mistakes, and Best Practices

• Double-check your documents: Missing or incorrect paperwork is the top reason for delays.
• Apply early: Some consulates have long waiting times for appointments, especially in busy seasons.
• Stay organized: Keep digital and paper copies of everything you send or are given through the process.
• Do not work: The French Republic Long-Stay Visa, Residence Permit, Visitor status simply does not let you work. Doing so could get you in legal trouble.
• Keep your health insurance valid: If your insurance cover lapses, your legal right to stay can be affected.
• Validate your visa: Failing to do this means you are in France 🇫🇷 without permission.

8. What if your application is denied?

While most people get approval if they meet all rules and provide full documents, sometimes applications are denied. If this happens:

• You’ll get a letter explaining the reason.
• Review the letter carefully—it might tell you what was missing or wrong.
• You can usually appeal by following the steps in the refusal notice. If you’re not sure, the France Visas website explains how to appeal.

9. After Your Stay: Leaving France 🇫🇷 or Renewing Your Status

• As your visa expiry approaches, decide early if you want to stay longer.
• If you wish to remain past the original validity, apply for a residence card (carte de séjour) two months before your current permission ends. Go to your local prefecture for this.
• If you only planned a visit, leave France 🇫🇷 before your visa runs out to avoid overstaying.
• Overstaying makes it harder to get French or other Schengen visas in the future.

10. Useful Resources

To make sure you follow the latest steps and get the right document list, always use official information sources. The France Visas website offers personalized checklists and updates.

If you want more detailed analysis and step-by-step examples, VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that following the official list from France Visas closely is the best way to avoid mistakes.

You can also contact your nearest French consulate or visa center if you have questions about your application.

Key Points to Remember

• The French Republic Long-Stay Visa, Residence Permit, Visitor is for people who want to stay more than three months in France 🇫🇷 but not work.
• You must prove you have steady money, a place to live, and private health insurance.
• The process includes an online application, in-person appointment, fee payment, and, after arrival, online validation within three months.
• Late validation or missing insurance can cause problems with your stay.
• You can renew your status by applying for a “carte de séjour” if you want to stay longer, but you must start the process in the last two months of your visa.

Where to find help:

• France Visas official website: Find forms, the visa wizard, and the latest instructions.
• Your local French consulate or visa center: For specific document needs, appointments, and questions.

By following the steps above and using the official tools, you can manage the French Republic Long-Stay Visa, Residence Permit, Visitor process with less stress—and enjoy your time in France 🇫🇷 securely and legally.

Learn Today

VLS-TS (Visa Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour) → A French long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit for visits over three months, requiring validation in France.
Private Health Insurance → A personal insurance policy purchased to provide healthcare cover in France, not accepted if it’s a European Health Insurance Card.
Attestation d’hébergement → A signed document by a French resident declaring they will host the visa applicant during their stay in France.
Biometric Data → Personal identifiers, such as fingerprints, collected during the visa application appointment for security and identification.
Carte de Séjour → A residence card in France required for staying beyond the initial validity of a long-stay visa.

This Article in a Nutshell

The French Republic Long-Stay Visa (Visitor) is ideal for non-EU citizens seeking over three months in France without working. Applicants must show financial means, insurance, and accommodation. The process involves an online form, consulate appointment, fees, and post-arrival visa validation. Careful preparation ensures a smooth, legal French stay.
— By VisaVerge.com

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