2025 Guide to Long Stay Visas in France

Bonjour! Many dream of going to France long-term. Whether it's to study, settle down, or on a work assignment, getting the opportunity to spend time in France is so exciting.

However, there are some logistics to figure out, and one of the biggest barriers to entry (no pun intended) is applying for the right visa.

In most cases, if you plan to spend more than 90 days in France, you will be required to obtain a long stay visa.

In this guide, you'll learn must-know information about long stay visas for France - whether or not you need one, which ones might be applicable to your unique situation, and how to go about the application process.

Allez-y !

Do you need a long-stay visa for France?

Whether or not you need a long stay visa for France depends on a few factors, including your nationality, the purpose of your visit, and how long you intend to remain in France.

If you are:

• Planning to stay in France for more than 90 days
• And are not a citizen of a country in the Schengen area, EU, or EEA

Then you will need a long stay visa.

Which long stay visa you need and whether or not you fit the eligibility requirements is another story - but we will discuss some of the available options in this guide.

Before we talk about specific types of visas, it's important to understand the difference between a long stay visa and residency.

Long stay visas are intended for temporary visits. While they are longer in length, the stay has a fixed period. Residency, on the other hand, is typically for more extended stays, including indefinite ones (such as in the case of obtaining a renewable visa).

If you are looking to become a resident in France, you might start with a long stay visa, but applying for residency is another process.

How do I get a long-stay visa for France?

There are a few steps required in order to apply for a long stay visa for France. It all begins with understanding the purpose of your visit to France and looking at which visas are available.

Below, you'll find some of the long stay visas available for those looking to spend more than 90 days in France, as well as some of their eligibility requirements.

This information comes from the official France-Visas website. Make sure to always check France-Visas for the most up-to-date and accurate information about visas, especially including eligibility and requirements.

Find out if you're eligible

The first step is to determine the purpose of your long stay (is it tourism? Work? Something else?).

In addition to knowing the purpose of your trip, it's also important to be clear about how long you intend to stay. French long stay visas can be between 3 months in length up to one year.

If you're hoping to stay for longer than a year, you will need to apply for a residence permit. Some long stay visas act as resident permits. These visas have the code VLS/TS on them and may require additional validation after arriving in France.

Long stays for tourism in France

If you're hoping to spend time in France simply for the joy of being in France, it is possible with a long stay visitor visa. It's possible to get a long stay visitor visa that doubles as a residence permit.

Visitor visas give you the opportunity to explore France for longer periods of time (more than 90 days).

There are a few things to know about long stay visitor visas in France, however. The first one is that you cannot work or carry out professional activities when you're staying in France on a visitor visa. The visitor visa is exactly that - for visiting.

Additionally, you will need to be able to speak to your socio-economic position. Are you taking a gap year? A retiree? You'll need to share your status as well as how you plan to sustain yourself during your stay in France.

With other documents, visitor visa applicants must show proof of finances, accommodation, and medical coverage.

Long stays for working in France

There are several different work visa options in France. Which one you need depends on the type of work you're doing. Here are some of the French work visas that are available.

While this information comes from the official France-Visas website, always check there for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding all French visas, including types, eligibility, and requirements.

Self employment & liberal professions

If you want to start a new business in France, it is possible. However, you will need to prove the economic viability of your business and the work that you do.

If you're self-employed or contractual, it's also possible to continue this work in France. Financial stability is key here and you'll need to show proof of this and that you make the equivalent of a full-time minimum wage worker in France - at least.

Some professions in France are regulated, so if you are planning to start a business or be self-employed in France, make sure you check that you're able to go about that.

If the information here applies to you, you might be eligible to apply for an entrepreneur/profession libérale visa.

This visa is a VLS-TS, meaning it doubles as a residency permit once validated in France.

Your employer has sent you to France

If your employer is sending you to France, congratulations!

For work assignments exceeding 90 days, your employer will need to secure a French work permit. Depending on the length of your stay, you may need to apply for a travailleur temporaire visa (temporary worker visa).

The France-Visas website will be able to tell you specific requirements surrounding this visa, including which documents you will need to include to apply.

A French company has hired you

Congratulations!

There are several different types of visas if you're in this situation - and each one has different requirements and details.

If you have been offered a contract by a French company, check the official France-Visas website for which visas are available. Your new employer may be able to help you find the option that best suits your new situation.

Long stays for studying abroad in France

If you're looking to study abroad in France there are a few eligibility requirements that you'll want to make sure you meet to apply for a study visa.

The first is that you need to be over the age of 18. Second, you must have already chosen your training course or program. You can look at programs and courses on the official Campus France website.

Before applying for your visa, you will need to apply for your program/course. An official acceptance letter is one of the required documents for your long stay visa application.

If your course is between 3 and 6 months in length, you will be issued a temporary long stay visa.

If your program is longer than 6 months in length, you'll be issued a long stay visa that doubles as a residence permit instead. With this visa, there will be additional formalities that you need to take care of once you arrive in France.

There are a couple of great perks that come with your study visa. Students are allowed to work part-time while they're studying in France. There are limits on the amount of work you can do, so always check your specific visa to see what the limits are.

Another perk is that all non-EU students under the age of 28 are eligible to register for social security while in France. Keep in mind that while this is the case, there still might be medical/travel insurance requirements as part of your visa application process.

Long stays for family reunification in France

There are options for family reunification in France, including spousal visas, visas for children, and visas for parents.

If you don't plan to settle permanently with your family member(s) in France, you will likely need a tourism/visitor visa.

However, if you're planning to settle long term, there are different options depending on your situation. The official France-Visas website offers information on what visas are available and who is eligible to apply.

Your family is an EU, EEA, or French National

If your spouse is an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen living in France (but is not a French citizen), you can join them in France and apply for residency. Some travelers may need to apply for a short-stay visa before traveling.

The same applies to dependents under the age of 21 or older relatives.

Your family is a French National

If your spouse is a French citizen, you can join them in France but you will need to show proof of your legal marriage, as well as their nationality.

Children with a French parent (or parents) can join them in France if you're under the age of 21, are dependent on your parent, and can prove your familial relationship. You'll also need to submit documentation that proves the nationality of both of your parents.

For seniors looking to join a relative who is a French citizen, proving the relationship is a must. Other conditions need to be met as well, such as showing that you are dependent in your country of residence, that you have medical insurance covering your first 3 months in France, and the conditions of your French accommodations.

Lastly, if your child is a French citizen, you may be able to apply for a visa to join them in France. In the application process, you will need to prove that you have contributed to their upbringing since birth for at least two years (and to their education). You'll also need to provide specific details about the child, including age, residency, and your relationship.

Long stay France visas for something else

While the visas listed above are some of the more common ones, there are also other types of visas that you could be eligible for.

These include:

• Volunteering.
• Young traveler on a working holiday (eligibility depends on nationality and age).
• Young au pair (applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30. There are eligibility requirements regarding your host family as well as language requirements).
• Others!

How to begin the visa application process

The visa application process for long stay visas for France begins on the France-Visas official website.

Once you know which type of visa you will be applying for, you will receive a list of what documents are required and which eligibility requirements you will need to meet in order to submit your application.

Common requirements include:

• Proof of accommodation for your stay in France.
• Proof of sufficient funds showing that you can sustain yourself during your time in France.
• Schengen-compliant travel insurance.
• A valid passport and recent passport-sized photographs.

This isn't a comprehensive list of requirements, so always go off of the official list given to you.

There will likely be other requirements related directly to your reason for staying in France, such as marriage licenses or work contracts.

Once you have all of the necessary documents collected in the formats requested, you will need to book an appointment at a visa application center/consulate in your country of residence. At this in-person appointment, you will submit your biometrics (fingerprints), pay applicable fees, and submit your application for processing.