France long-stay visa: which visa to apply for by purpose, the application file and what to do on arrival

02

Do you need a long-stay visa to live in France?

Yes for a stay of more than 3 months: a foreign national who is not exempt applies to the French consular authorities, and the visa cannot be valid for more than 1 year (CESEDA, article L312-2). You apply at the consulate of the country where you live, no more than 3 months before leaving, with the document list from France-Visas (fiche F16162).

The applicant provides a photograph and has fingerprints taken; the consulate gives a dated receipt of the application (CESEDA, articles R312-1 and R312-2).

Sources: CESEDA L312-2 · Service-public F16162 · CESEDA R312-1 · CESEDA R312-2

03

What is the difference between a VLS-TS, a temporary visa and a card-to-request visa?

The VLS-TS (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour), valid 4 to 12 months, serves as a residence permit: it is validated online within 3 months of arrival (CESEDA, article R431-17). The temporary visa, from more than 3 months to 12 months, exempts you from a card but allows neither work nor social benefits, and you go home when it ends (fiche F16162).

The visa marked « carte de séjour à solliciter dans les 2 mois suivant l’arrivée » only lets you enter: the card is then requested at the préfecture, for example for a child or ascendant dependent on a French national (fiche F16162).

Already holding a VLS-TS and in France? The VLS-TS validation guide takes over; this page prioritises choosing a visa and preparing the consular file.

Sources: CESEDA R431-17 · Service-public F16162

04

Which visa to study or work in France?

For higher education, a student VLS-TS; nationals of 72 countries go through the Études en France platform at pre-registration (fiche F2231). A short course falls under the temporary visa (fiche F16162).

For salaried work, the employer first obtains the work authorisation: a permanent contract (CDI) leads to the “salarié” VLS-TS, a fixed-term contract (CDD) to the “travailleur temporaire” VLS-TS (CESEDA, article R431-16; fiche F15898). For a “talent” project, a VLS-TS suffices below 12 months; from 1 year, you need the multi-year “talent” card (fiche F16922).

Sources: Service-public F2231 · Service-public F16162 · CESEDA R431-16 · Service-public F15898 · Service-public F16922

05

Which visa to join your family?

The spouse of a French national obtains a “vie privée et familiale” VLS-TS, which can only be refused for a fraudulent or annulled marriage or a threat to public order (fiche F16162); the consulate decides without undue delay (CESEDA, article R312-2).

Once family reunification (regroupement familial) is approved, the spouse applies for a VLS-TS without delay, and the family must enter France within 3 months of the visas being issued (fiche F11166).

Sources: Service-public F16162 · CESEDA R312-2 · Service-public F11166