A visa is a sticker affixed by a country's administration to a person's passport to allow him or her to enter and stay for a specified period of time.
The long-stay visa, type D, allows you to enter and stay in France from 4 months to 1 year.
If you are an adult, you must apply for a long-stay visa even if your nationality does not require a short-stay visa.
There are different types of visas depending on the reason and length of your stay and your intention to settle you in France.
FYI
it also allows you to move around (without any other visa) in the whole area Schengen, provided that it does not exceed 90 days during its period of validity.
Please note
you do not need this document if you are a citizen European, Andorran, Monegasque, San Marino, Holy See/Vatican.
Long-stay visa as residence permit (VLS-TS): valid for 4 to 12 months
This visa, says VLS-TS, is valid as a residence permit and you do not need to apply for a residence card in the prefecture as soon as you arrive in France.
This applies in particular to the following cases:
- Student
- Employee (holder of a contract of indefinite duration)
- Husband of French
- Talented passport
FYI
if you are married to a Frenchman, the VLS-TS is issued to you without conditions. It may be refused if your marriage is fraudulent or has been canceled or if you pose a threat to public order.
VLS-TS Validation
Within 3 months of your arrival in France, you must validate your VLS-TS and pay a tax in addition to the visa fee.
The online approach makes it possible to be in regular stay and to be able to cross the border again from the Schengen area.
Validate a long-stay visa as a residence permit (VLS-TS) and pay the tax
Visa mention "residence card to be requested within 2 months of arrival"
The endorsem*nt shall bear the residence card to be requested within 2 months of arrival. It allows you to enter France and obtain a residence card in the prefecture.
It is given to you in order to benefit from a residence card (annual, multiannual or 10 years depending on your situation), in particular in quality:
- French family (child aged 16 to 21 or dependent on a French person, dependent on a French person and his or her husband),
- a professional or self-employed person (trader, craftsman, etc.),
- worker (employee on assignment, EU Blue Card, seasonal, talent passport) or worker family,
- pensioner or pensioner spouse,
- of artist.
Working holiday visa
This visa can only be issued to you if your country is bound by a bilateral "working holiday" agreement with France. It may also be issued without bilateral agreement for Taiwanese nationals.
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Argentina
This visa is for young people aged 18 to 35. It has a maximum duration of 12 months and waives the need to apply for a residence card.
Brazil
This visa is for young people aged 18 to 30. It has a maximum duration of 12 months and waives the need to apply for a residence card.
Canada
This visa is for young people aged 18 to 35. It has a maximum duration of 12 months and waives the need to apply for a residence card.
Chile
This visa is for young people aged 18 to 30. It has a maximum duration of 12 months and waives the need to apply for a residence card.
China (Hong Kong)
This visa is for young people aged 18 to 30. It has a maximum duration of 12 months and waives the need to apply for a residence card.
Colombia
This visa is for young people aged 18 to 30. It has a maximum duration of 12 months and waives the need to apply for a residence card.
South Korea
This visa is for young people aged 18 to 30. It has a maximum duration of 12 months and waives the need to apply for a residence card.
Japan
This visa is for young people aged 18 to 30. It has a maximum duration of 12 months and waives the need to apply for a residence card.
Mexico
This visa is for young people aged 18 to 30. It has a maximum duration of 12 months and waives the need to apply for a residence card.
New Zealand
This visa is for young people aged 18 to 30. It has a maximum duration of 12 months and waives the need to apply for a residence card.
Peru
This visa is for young people aged 18 to 30. It has a maximum duration of 12 months and waives the need to apply for a residence card.
Russia
This visa is for young people aged 18 to 30. It has a maximum duration of 12 months and waives the need to apply for a residence card.
Taiwan
This visa is for young people aged 18 to 30. It has a maximum duration of 12 months and waives the need to apply for a residence card.
Uruguay
This visa is for young people aged 18 to 30. It has a maximum duration of 12 months and waives the need to apply for a residence card.
Minor visa in France: valid for 11 months maximum
You can benefit from this visa under the following conditions:
- You must be under 18
- You have to follow your education or studies in France for more than 3 months
- Your parents must reside abroad.
This visa has a maximum duration of 11 months. It allows you to enter France as many times as you want during its period of validity, without having to apply for a new visa.
Please note
as a minor, you do not have to hold a residence permit.
Temporary long-stay visa: valid for 4 to 6 months
This visa lasts between 4 and 6 months maximum. It is worth a temporary authorization to stay in France. It can be issued to you if you come to France:
- for short courses,
- or to engage in artistic activity,
- or as a visitor (you must be able to live from your own resources).
During the validity of your visa, you are exempt from applying for a residence card in the prefecture. At the end, you have to go back to your country of origin.
