France Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS) guide

The basics

The long-stay visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS) is one of two main types of long-stay visa for France. According to France-Visas, it is for stays of up to one year and exempts the holder from applying for a separate residence permit during that period.

Validity

Long-stay visas must be valid between three months and one year, per France-Visas.

Stay per entry

Sources do not state a per-entry stay limit. The VLS-TS covers a stay of one year or less.

Where you apply

Online through the France-Visas portal, then submitted at the local visa centre.

Fee

Sources do not state the visa fee. The France-Visas visa wizard shows the fee for each situation.

Who it's for

France-Visas states that a long-stay visa is required in advance for any stay exceeding 90 days, and that nationality does not exempt you from this requirement. Citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area, Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican may stay in European France without a visa for longer than 90 days. Other rules depend on the context of your stay.

• Extended stays for tourist or personal reasons
• Carrying out a professional activity
• Education, training or internship
• Joining family members

How to apply

Based on the French consulate in the United States and France-Visas, the process runs through the France-Visas portal.

• Use the visa wizard on France-Visas to check whether you need a visa, which type, the documents required and the fee.
• Create an account and complete the application online.
• Submit the application at your local visa centre. France-Visas gives details on where and how.
• Track the application on the portal, which also tells you when your passport is ready to collect.
• Applications can be submitted up to six months before departure, per the French consulate in the U.S. Waiting times vary by country and time of year.

Documents

Documents are specific to your situation and purpose of stay. The France-Visas wizard lists them for your case.

• A long-stay visa obtained in advance for any stay over 90 days.
• Supporting documents specific to your purpose of stay, attached to the online application.
• Supporting documents presented to the Border Police on arrival if requested.
• An insurance certificate covering medical and hospital expenses, medical repatriation and costs in the event of death for the duration of the stay.

Stay and extensions

France-Visas states that to stay beyond the validity of your visa, you must apply for a residence permit at a prefecture. Sources do not describe a visa extension procedure.

A VLS-TS must be validated within three months of arrival in France. The validation procedure is online, through the Digital Administration of Foreigners in France (ANEF) portal. Official sources state that failing to validate means you are no longer legally present in France and cannot re-enter the Schengen Area. The French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) may call you for a meeting, a medical check-up or to sign an integration contract.

A different long-stay visa type carries the mention to apply for a residence card within two months of arrival, handled in person at the prefecture of your place of residence.

• During its validity, a long-stay visa is equivalent to a Schengen visa for stays in other Schengen countries of up to 90 days in any 180 days, per France-Visas.

Things to confirm

Sources do not confirm the following. Check them on France-Visas or with the consulate.

• The visa application fee for your situation and nationality.
• Biometric requirements for your visa category. Applicants are generally expected to appear in person.
• The exact documents for your purpose of stay.
• The official validation fee after arrival.
• Any renewal process at the end of the VLS-TS and what applies to your circumstances at the prefecture.

Sources

Every claim above comes from these pages. Higher tiers carry more authority. How we tier sources.