Key Takeaways
• Applicants must apply for a residence permit within two months after arriving in France with this special Long-Stay Visa.
• Proof of regular income above €1,766.92/month, valid accommodation, and comprehensive health insurance are required for all applicants.
• This visa is for non-EU workers, families not qualifying for VLS-TS, retirees, or certain independent professionals seeking stays over 12 months.
A French Republic Long-Stay Visa that requires a residence permit application is a special type of visa for people who want to move to France 🇫🇷 for more than just a short stay, but who are not eligible for the standard VLS-TS (Visa de Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour). This guide helps you understand when this visa is needed, who can apply, what documents you must prepare, how much it costs, what steps you must take once you arrive in France 🇫🇷, and what happens after you get there. By following these steps and meeting the listed requirements, you can settle in France 🇫🇷 with confidence and avoid problems that might affect your legal stay.
What Is the French Republic Long-Stay Visa (Non-VLS-TS)?
The French Republic Long-Stay Visa that requires a residence permit is given to people moving to France 🇫🇷 for very specific reasons. Unlike the VLS-TS, this visa does not serve as a residence permit by itself. Instead, you must apply for a residence permit soon after you arrive in France 🇫🇷. The visa is marked to let you know this extra step is needed—typically saying, “residence card to be requested within 2 months of arrival.”
Who Should Apply For This Visa?
This visa is mostly for people who:
– Want to stay in France 🇫🇷 for more than 12 months.
– Belong to certain family categories, like dependent children ages 16-21 joining a French citizen parent, or dependent parents.
– Are independent workers, entrepreneurs, artists, or retirees—especially if they don’t qualify for the VLS-TS.
Examples include:
– Children between 16 and 21 who join a French parent.
– Retired people and their spouses looking to settle in France 🇫🇷.
– People who work for themselves or run businesses.
– People on work assignments not covered by regular long-term visas.
This means that if your plan does not fit the normal categories for a VLS-TS, or if you intend to live in France 🇫🇷 for a period longer than 12 months, you are likely to need this visa.
Eligibility Conditions
To be eligible for a French Republic Long-Stay Visa that requires a residence permit, you must have a reason that matches certain categories. The French authorities decide if you qualify, based on the information in your application and the reason listed on your visa.
The main categories for eligibility are:
– Families of French citizens who do not qualify for a VLS-TS (such as dependent children or parents who rely on their French citizen relatives).
– Independent workers, business owners, and professionals who will carry out activities in France 🇫🇷 but who do not get access to a VLS-TS.
– Retirees planning a longer stay, along with their spouses.
– Anyone else who, due to the nature or length of their stay, isn’t given a VLS-TS.
The visa you receive will clearly tell you that you must apply for a residence permit within two months of your arrival.
Required Documents Checklist
When applying for this visa, you need to provide detailed documents. The exact papers you must bring can vary depending on why you want to live in France 🇫🇷, but here is a summary of what is almost always needed:
Documents Required for All Applicants
- Valid Passport: Must be from the last 10 years and be valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay in France 🇫🇷.
- Passport-Size Photos: Usually two recent photos that match French standards.
- Proof of Accommodation: Rental contract, deed to a property, or invitation letter from a host.
- Health Insurance: Private insurance that covers all medical costs until you are included in the French system.
- Proof of Sufficient Income: You must show stable monthly income at least equal to France’s minimum wage for adults (€1,766.92 gross per month as of January 2024). Documents can include employment contracts, pension slips, or ongoing payment records.
- Note: If coming as a family, you must prove even more income for every child or dependent.
- Purpose of Stay Papers: Examples include:
- Marriage or birth certificates.
- Business registration documents or qualifications.
- Retirement verification or pension statements.
- A formal letter explaining why you want to live in France 🇫🇷.
All original documents must be presented with photocopies. Most should be translated into French.
Where To Find the Latest Document List
Because the rules often change depending on your case, it’s best to check the official France Visas website’s Visa Assistant tool for the documents specific to your situation.
How and When To Apply – Step-By-Step Process
Step 1 – Complete the Online Application
- Go to the France Visas portal and make an account.
- Use the Visa Assistant to figure out which visa you need and get a checklist.
- Fill out your application form carefully, making sure all the details match your documents.
Step 2 – Book an Appointment with the Correct Authority
- Make an appointment at the French embassy/consulate in your home country, or a collection center like VFS Global or TLS if they handle applications in your area.
- Choose an appointment date that fits your planned move (do not apply more than three months before your travel).
Step 3 – Gather and Organize All Documents
- Check your paperwork twice to make sure all items are included.
- Arrange originals, translations, and photocopies in the right order, as this will make the process easier on the day of your appointment.
Step 4 – Submit Your Visa Application
- Attend your appointment in person.
- Submit all documents, have your fingerprints and photo taken (biometrics), and answer simple questions about your plans in France 🇫🇷.
- Pay the visa application fee at this time.
Step 5 – Track Your Application
- Use your applicant account on the France Visas portal to check the status of your application.
- Wait for the official decision. This often takes several weeks.
Application Timeframe
You usually get a decision several weeks after applying, but it can be longer during busy periods or if there are missing documents. It is best to start your application as early as possible within the three-month window before your journey.
Visa Fees and Other Costs
- Visa Application Fee: €99
- Residence Permit Fee: You’ll pay a separate fee later at the prefecture when applying for your residence permit in France 🇫🇷. The amount varies depending on your case.
- Other Costs: You might pay extra for document translation, photocopies, and certifications.
Note: Fees are not returned if your visa is turned down, so be careful with your paperwork and check all requirements.
Visa Validity Period
This special long-stay visa usually gives you only about three months to enter and settle in France 🇫🇷. This short period is to allow you enough time to apply for and get your official residence permit. The stamp or sticker on your visa clearly states that you must request a “carte de séjour” (residence card) within two months after arriving.
What Happens After Arrival?
- If you follow all rules and apply for your residence permit on time, you may later get a longer residence card valid for one or several years.
- Multi-year or even ten-year permits are given in some cases, depending on your situation and the reason you are living in France 🇫🇷.
What To Do When You Arrive in France 🇫🇷
You must:
1. Enter France 🇫🇷 with your special long-stay visa. Check that the stamp or sticker says you need to apply for a residence permit.
2. Within two months of your arrival (no later!), book an appointment at your local prefecture (the government office in your town or city).
3. Bring all your original documents, photocopies, proof that you entered France 🇫🇷 legally, and any new papers required.
4. Go to your prefecture appointment, give biometric data (like fingerprints), and pay the residence permit fee.
5. If needed, attend an interview about your plans or family situation.
After the Appointment
- You might receive a temporary proof (called a “récépissé”) showing you are waiting for a residence card but can remain in France 🇫🇷 legally.
- Your application is checked, and after some weeks or months, you receive your full residence permit.
- Your permit lets you work, study, or live with your family depending on your category and reason for living in France 🇫🇷.
Important Deadlines
Important: You must start your residence permit application within two months of your arrival. Missing this deadline could mean losing your legal status and being required to leave France 🇫🇷.
Renewals
- Before your permit runs out, you must apply again if you want to stay longer. Renewals usually mean repeating many of the earlier steps and providing updated documents.
Summary Checklist
Here’s a quick list to keep in mind:
– [ ] Check if you must apply for a French Republic Long-Stay Visa that requires a residence permit (not a VLS-TS).
– [ ] Gather all required documents—passport, photos, proof of housing, insurance, stable income above €1,766.92/month, papers proving your reason for the move.
– [ ] Translate and copy your documents as required.
– [ ] Fill out the online visa application and book an appointment with the French authorities or their application center.
– [ ] Submit application and biometrics, pay €99 fee.
– [ ] Monitor your application status online.
– [ ] If granted, travel to France 🇫🇷 and apply for your residence permit within 2 months.
– [ ] Visit the prefecture with all papers, pay the card fee, and give fingerprints.
– [ ] Await your temporary proof (“récépissé”) and later your full residence permit.
– [ ] Mark your calendar to renew your permit before it expires.
Tips, Best Practices, and Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not wait to book your prefecture appointment—slots fill quickly, and missing the two-month window could cause problems.
- Keep copies of every document, including translations, as you may need them again for renewals or government requests.
- Make sure your insurance is valid for every day before you get French healthcare.
- Check income requirements carefully, especially if moving as a family—you need enough monthly income for every dependent child.
- Read any letters or notices from the prefecture right away—these might include requests for new documents or further information.
What to Expect After Completing These Steps
- A correct and complete application leads to legal residence status in France 🇫🇷, granting you rights to live, sometimes work or study, and access community services.
- You will need to keep your status up to date by renewing on time and keeping your documents valid.
- You’ll be able to apply for other types of residence cards later if you meet requirements (multi-year, long-term, or permanent residence).
If your application is refused, you will be told why and might be able to appeal or reapply with stronger documents.
Where To Find Extra Help
For the most up-to-date, official information, visit the France Visas official site. It explains every type of visa, lets you use the Visa Assistant tool, and gives step-by-step instructions. For residence permits, you can also check the French government’s Service Public.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that following deadlines, keeping your documents organized, and using official websites will help you avoid common problems. If you’re unsure about your situation, ask the French embassy or a trusted immigration lawyer.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right visa matters for your safety and future in France 🇫🇷. The French Republic Long-Stay Visa that requires a residence permit is a strong option for people with special needs, families, or long-term plans. Always start your application early, check every document, and don’t delay the prefecture steps. Prepare for extra costs, stay ahead of deadlines, and keep up to date with changes in French visa laws. That way, your move to France 🇫🇷 can start smoothly and with confidence.
Learn Today
French Republic Long-Stay Visa → A visa for non-EU nationals staying in France over 12 months, requiring later application for a residence permit.
Residence Permit → An official document that allows foreign nationals to legally reside in France after initial visa entry.
VLS-TS → A long-stay visa for France which also acts as a temporary residence permit, but only for certain categories.
Prefecture → Local French government office responsible for processing residence permits and other administrative immigration matters.
Récépissé → A temporary document issued while awaiting a final French residence permit, allowing legal stay until a decision.
This Article in a Nutshell
If you aim to live in France for over a year and don’t qualify for the VLS-TS, the French Republic Long-Stay Visa is your solution. This guide breaks down eligibility, documents, application steps, and essential deadlines, ensuring your move is smooth, legal, and successful. Start early and stay organized throughout.
— By VisaVerge.com
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