Long-stay visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS) and France-Visas process

Drafted from the official pages listed under Sources, last read on 29 October 2026. Rules, fees and thresholds change: check the official page before you act. This is not legal advice and does not guarantee any outcome.

Who it is for

This guide explains how a long-stay visa works in France for stays of more than 3 months and up to 1 year, in particular the VLS-TS (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour), which acts as a residence permit. According to Service-Public it concerns students, employees on a permanent contract, spouses of French nationals and holders of the Talent card (see the Talent card guide). Stays of 3 months or less use a short-stay Schengen visa, which is not covered here.

The platform does not apply for visas and cannot tell you whether a visa will be granted.

How it works

• Check your situation. On France-Visas, check whether a visa is required for your project and which documents apply. The visa assistant lists personal and professional supporting documents for each case.
• Complete the online application. Have your passport, two recent ICAO-format photos and your supporting documents ready. Nationals of 72 listed countries studying in France use "Études en France" instead.
• Book the appointment. Booking details are on the France-Visas page of the country where you file. Depending on the country the appointment is at the consulate or at an outsourced service provider. Allow time for the wait and for processing.
• Attend the appointment. Bring the full file, the printed form (CERFA) and receipt. The provider or consulate checks the file, collects the fee and records your photo and fingerprints. Applicants over 12 must appear in person for a first application.
• Track and collect. You are notified when to collect your passport from the visa centre; in some countries it is mailed.
• Travel and validate. After arrival you validate the VLS-TS online within 3 months and pay the tax. Validation keeps your stay regular and lets you re-enter the Schengen area.

Apply at the French consulate of your country of residence, no more than 3 months before your planned departure. Afterwards, if you are staying longer than the visa, you apply for a residence card through your prefecture or the ANEF platform.

Main requirements

Main points from Service-Public (F16162, verified 9 October 2026) and France-Visas:

• A passport valid at least 3 months beyond the visa end date, with at least 2 blank pages, issued less than 10 years ago.
• Photo and fingerprints are recorded (except for children under 12).
• The VLS-TS is valid from 4 to 12 months and is issued for a reason that France-Visas lists, such as study, salaried work or being the spouse of a French national.
• Documents depend on the reason for the stay; the France-Visas assistant gives the exact list. Documents not in English or French may need French translations.
• The VLS-TS must be validated online within 3 months of arrival. Student visa holders may leave and re-enter France in the first 3 months even if not validated, but after 3 months without validation a new visa is needed to return.
• The prefect may revoke a VLS-TS for fraudulent obtention, entry for a purpose other than the one stated, or a threat to public order.

Some students, for example those with a minor school-going visa, do not need online validation, and a short-stay visa holder or young adult should contact the prefecture, as the Campus France page explains.

Costs and timing

Amounts and periods as published:

• The visa application fee is set by the French administration, varies by country and is kept even if the visa is refused. The amount is on the "Tarif" section of the France-Visas page of the country where you file.
• The outsourced service provider fee cannot exceed 45 euros per application.
• The VLS-TS validation tax is paid online in addition to the visa fees. The amount depends on the type of visa: 300 euros for a salarié or travailleur temporaire visa (Service-Public F15898) and 100 euros for a student visa (F2231).
• Late renewal of the card without force majeure or a valid visa adds a 180 euros regularisation visa fee.

Timing: France-Visas states that decisions usually take 15 days and can be extended up to 45 days in special cases. This is an estimate published by the authority, not a promise. If no decision is sent within two months, the application is treated as an implicit refusal that you can appeal. Appeals against long-stay refusals must be sent by post within 30 days to the CRRV.

Preparing your file

Use the France-Visas assistant first, then prepare each document in original and copy. Check the passport rules (validity, blank pages, issue date), get the two ICAO photos in PDF format as requested, and arrange translations if your documents are not in English or French. Book the appointment early, because some centres have waiting lists.

Keep a digital copy of the receipt and application. After arrival, prepare for the validation: a valid email address, your visa information, the date of arrival, your home address in France and a bank card (or electronic stamp) to pay the tax. After validation, you may be convened by the OFII for a medical visit and for the republican integration contract (CIR), which includes civic training and a language assessment.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Not validating the VLS-TS within 3 months of arrival, which can leave you without regular status.
• Applying too early: file no more than 3 months before departure.
• Choosing the wrong visa type for the contract or purpose (for example salarié versus travailleur temporaire).
• Using a passport with fewer than 2 blank pages or less than 3 months of validity after the visa end date.
• Trusting websites that charge extra or promise a visa. France-Visas warns about companies claiming they can help obtain visas, and the official service fee is capped at 45 euros.