Long Stay Visas

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Whether it's for work, study, relocation or other purposes, VLS offers comprehensive support for various long-stay visa categories. We streamline the application process, making your transition smoother.

Planning a Long Stay in France? Here’s What You Need to Know About Long-Stay Visas

For a stay in France of more than 90 days, most non-European nationals need a long-stay visa before travelling. Exemptions depend on nationality and circumstances, including for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. The visa category determines what you must do after arrival: validate a VLS-TS online within three months, or apply for a residence permit within the deadline stated on your visa. A temporary long-stay visa follows different rules and generally does not allow you to extend your stay from within France.

Long-Stay Visa Regulations in France: Who’s Exempt?

For mainland France, citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area, Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican may stay for more than 90 days without a long-stay visa. Exemptions for the French overseas territories differ, as outlined below.

  • Citizens of the European Union, Monaco, and Andorra:

For individuals hailing from the European Union, Monaco, and Andorra, these long-stay visa regulations don't apply across any of the territories. This means that you have the flexibility to stay for more than 90 days without the need for a long-stay visa.

  • Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland (Excluding Specific Territories):

Citizens of the European Economic Area and Switzerland are exempt from long-stay visa requirements for the French overseas territories, except French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis-et-Futuna, and the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF).

Long-Stay Visa Application Guide

Long-Stay Visa Application Guide for Moving to France: Financial Requirements and Health Care Insurance Eligibility

  • Financial Requirements:

Financial requirements depend on the visa category, the length of your stay and your circumstances. Visitor, student and professional applications have different resource requirements, so a single income or savings figure does not apply to every long-stay visa.

Your supporting documents should clearly show how you will fund your stay. Depending on the category, these may include pension statements, bank statements, scholarship evidence, income from your professional activity or financial support from a guarantor. Where a threshold applies, use the current amount specified for that category.

VLS helps you organize this evidence into a clear, consistent application. The final document list is the one generated for your situation through France-Visas, together with any instructions from the consular service handling your application.

  • Health Care Insurance:

Health insurance requirements depend on your visa category and circumstances. For a visitor application, you must provide medical insurance covering your stay in France. Check the documents generated by France-Visas and the instructions of the consular service handling your application for the required coverage and duration.

Your evidence should identify the insured person, the dates of cover and the benefits provided. Where required, these must include medical care, hospital treatment and repatriation. VLS helps you review the insurance documentation alongside the other supporting documents for your application.

THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF FRENCH LONG-STAY VISAS

Common Queries Long Stay Visas

Frequently Asked Questions

France offers various long-stay visas, including student visas, work visas, family reunification visas, and more. Each type is designed for specific purposes. A student visa is for pursuing education, a work visa is for employment, and a family reunification visa is for joining family members already in France.

You must first obtain admission to the relevant course or institution. Depending on your country of residence and study plans, the Études en France procedure may apply before the visa application. Prepare the admission, financial, accommodation and other documents listed for your situation by France-Visas, then follow the application and appointment procedure for your country of residence.

Requirements depend on the activity and visa category. For ordinary salaried employment, the employer must normally obtain work authorisation before the visa application. You must provide the employment documents and personal supporting evidence required for your route. Talent, self-employed and other professional categories have their own eligibility rules and documents.

Eligibility depends on your relationship and the status of the person living in France. Ordinary family reunification generally concerns the spouse and minor children of an eligible foreign resident and requires prior approval. Separate routes apply to families of French or EU citizens, beneficiaries of international protection, and holders of certain professional residence permits. Having a relative in France does not by itself establish eligibility.

A carte de séjour is a residence permit. Your arrival procedure depends on the visa issued: validate a VLS-TS online within three months of arrival; for a visa marked "carte de séjour à solliciter", apply for the residence permit within two months. A temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T) follows different rules. Check the wording on your visa and the official instructions for your category.

Language requirements depend on your course, profession and immigration route. A university may require evidence of the language used for teaching, and some regulated professions have their own requirements. Separate French-language and civic-examination rules apply to certain residence-permit applications after arrival, with exemptions depending on the permit and your circumstances. Check the requirements for the specific application you are making.