Long Stay Visa Visitor
France, with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and world-renowned cuisine, is a dream destination for many. If you’re considering spending an extended period in this beautiful country, a Long-Stay Visitor visa might be the perfect solution.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about applying for and enjoying a long-stay visitor visa in France.
What is a Long-Stay Visa Visitor?
A long-stay visitor visa (Visa de Long Séjour – Visiteur) allows non-EU citizens to stay in France for more than three months without engaging in any professional activities.
This visa is ideal for individuals wishing to spend extended time in France for various personal reasons, such as visiting family or friends, working remotely without professional ties to France, retiring, or pursuing other personal interests.
When Can You Apply?
You can apply for a long-stay visitor visa if you plan to stay in France for more than 90 days and do not intend to work or engage in any professional activities in the country. Here are some common reasons for applying:
- Visiting Family or Friends: If you wish to spend extended time with family, friends, or a partner who resides in France.
- Remote Work: For digital nomads or remote workers who are employed by companies outside of France and wish to live in France temporarily.
- Retirement: For retirees who want to enjoy their retirement in the scenic and culturally rich environment of France.
- Personal Interests: For individuals who wish to explore personal interests, take extended vacations, or simply experience French culture and lifestyle for a longer period.
Two Main Types
Long-Stay Visitor Visa Type T
- Validity: Up to 180 days.
- Renewal: Cannot be renewed in France; you must leave France once the visa expires.
- Residency Status: Does not confer residency status in France.
Long-Stay Visitor Visa Type TS
- Validity: Up to 12 months.
- Residency Status: Grants residency status in France.
- Renewal: Can be renewed in France at the local prefecture.
Advantages of the Visitor TS
- Simple Documentation: The documentation required is straightforward and easy to prepare.
- No Police Background Check: There is no requirement for a police background check.
- Fast Processing: Applications are processed relatively quickly.
- Permanent Residence: Allows for permanent residence in France during the visa period.
- No Minimum Residence Period: There is no obligation to stay in France for a minimum period, nor is there a requirement to file French tax returns.
- Extension Possible: You can extend your stay and receive a ‘carte de séjour’ (residence permit) while in France.
- Change of Status: After living in France for five years, you can apply to change your status and obtain a residence card or even French citizenship.
- Social Insurance: You can obtain a social insurance number and access French state medical services.
- No Language Requirements: There are no French or English language proficiency requirements.
- Freedom of Movement: Enjoy freedom of movement within the Schengen zone and several non-Schengen EU countries.
Disadvantages of the Visitor TS
- No Employment: The visa does not permit you to engage in employment or entrepreneurial activities in France.
- Limited Term: The maximum visa or residence permit term is 12 months, requiring annual renewal.
- Personal Attendance: Renewal of the visa requires personal attendance at the prefecture inFrance.
Changing Your Visa Type:
If you hold a one-year visitor visa, you have the option to change your visa type. You should start the application process for a new visa during the last two months of your current visa. This allows you to upgrade your status and continue residing in France without interruption.
How To Apply
- Prepare Your Documentation : Gather all necessary documents, including a valid passport, proof of financial means, health insurance, and accommodation proof.
- Complete the Application Form: Fill out the long-stay visa application form available on the French consulate or embassy website.
- Schedule an Interview: Book an appointment at the French consulate or embassy in your home country. An interview may be required.
- Submit Your Application: Attend your appointment and submit your application along with the required documents and visa fee.
- Validation in France: Once you arrive in France, validate your visa within three months at the French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII).
Essential Documents You Need
Before you embark on your visa application, ensure you have the necessary documents at hand:
Travel Document
- A valid travel document issued within the last 10 years, with at least two blank pages. The document should have a validity period of at least three months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen Area.
- ID photograph
- Visa application completed
Purpose of Travel/Stay:
Demonstrate the purpose of your visit with the following documents:
- Provide a letter from your employer or proof of business ownership/business license if you’re self-employed.
- If you’re retired, include your pension certificate as proof.
- Students should submit a certificate of enrollment from their educational institution.
- If applicable, write a letter explaining your project and confirm that you won’t engage in any professional activity in France during your stay.
Financial Means:
Demonstrate the purpose of your visit with the following documents:Present proof of sufficient resources, which can include your pension certificate or your last three bank statements.
It’s generally essential to display an annual/monthly income exceeding the French minimum wage, which stood at €1,747.2 per month (Gross) or approximately €1,383.08 per month (Net) in 2023. In case of couples, each person should demonstrate a monthly net income of at least €1,383 (or a combined total of €2,800 per month).
In the absence of a steady monthly income from employment, pension, or business, you’ll need to exhibit adequate savings to ensure your well-being in France. While precise figures for substituting regular income with savings may not be widely published, it’s prudent to showcase savings equivalent to 2-3 years of the annual French minimum wage – roughly amounting to around €60,000 per person.
Travel Health Insurance:
Provide a travel health insurance certificate covering medical repatriation, emergency, and hospital treatment, with a minimum coverage of €30,000 valid for your entire stay in France. However, the requirements may vary based on the country from which you are applying.
For example, if you are applying from the UK:
• For stays in France up to 6 months: UK-insured reciprocal healthcare entitlement documents (valid EHIC/GHIC).
• For stays over 6 months: Private health insurance covering the entire validity of the visa (up to 1 year), except for retirees receiving a British retirement pension who may provide the S1 Form delivered by the NHS
Accommodation:
Submit proof of your accommodation in France. This could be in the form of a property title deed, tenancy agreement, or similar supporting document. If your accommodation will be provided by someone residing in France, include a document explaining the arrangement.
Service Fees
Consulate Service Fees
The service fees for a long-stay visitor visa application at the consulate can vary depending on your nationality and the country from which you are applying. Typically, these fees range from €99 to €180.
Appointment Booking Fees
Fees to book a slot for your appointment depend on the country of submission at VLS or TLS centers, ranging from €35 to €55.
Please note that in some cases, you may not need to pay a center like TLS or VFS. The requirement depends on the country of submission. For example, if you are applying from Spain, there isn’t a TLS or VFS center.
Validation
Importance of Validating Your Long-Stay Visitor Visa in France
Validating your Long-Stay Visitor Visa (TS) is a critical step once you arrive in France. This process allows you to:
• Renew Your Visa: After your visa expires, you can renew it at the local Prefecture in France, enabling you to obtain a Residency Permit.
• Declare Your Permanent Address: Validation helps you officially declare your permanent address in France.
• Integrate into the Social Security System: Gradually become part of the French social security system
Long Stay Visa Visitor For Minors
Travel Document:
- Valid travel documents issued within the last 10 years, with at least two blank pages. Its validity should extend at least 3 months beyond the intended departure from the Schengen Area, or 3 months beyond the visa’s expiry date for long stays.
- ID photograph.
- Application Visa competed
Purpose of Travel/Stay
- Details of your child’s enrollment in an educational institution.
- Proof of rights of custody in case of parental separation or divorce, or written agreement from the parent with custody rights for the child’s stay in France
Financial Means:
Demonstrate the purpose of your visit with the following documents:Present proof of sufficient resources, which can include your pension certificate or your last three bank statements.
It’s generally essential to display an annual/monthly income exceeding the French minimum wage, which stood at €1,747.2 per month (Gross) or approximately €1,383.08 per month (Net) in 2023. In case of couples, each person should demonstrate a monthly net income of at least €1,383 (or a combined total of €2,800 per month).
In the absence of a steady monthly income from employment, pension, or business, you’ll need to exhibit adequate savings to ensure your well-being in France. While precise figures for substituting regular income with savings may not be widely published, it’s prudent to showcase savings equivalent to 2-3 years of the annual French minimum wage – roughly amounting to around €60,000 per person.
Travel Health Insurance:
Provide a travel health insurance certificate, covering medical repatriation, emergency, and hospital treatment, with a minimum coverage of €30,000 valid for your entire stay in France.
Accommodation:
Submit proof of your accommodation in France. This could be in the form of a property title deed, tenancy agreement, or similar supporting document. If your accommodation will be provided by someone residing in France, include a document explaining the arrangement.
Tailor Your Situation:
Kindly remember that while we’ve outlined the general requirements, the French authorities might occasionally request additional documents based on individual cases. We truly understand that each person’s circumstances are unique. If you have any specific questions or concerns about your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to assist you in tailoring the visa application process according to your situation, ensuring a smoother journey for you.