Who is it for?

The long-stay visitor visa (VLS-TS “visiteur”) is designed for retirees, sabbaticals and financially independent Americans who want to live in France for a year or more and do not plan to work there.

What you need

• A valid U.S. passport.
• Proof of sufficient, stable resources, such as pensions, savings or investment income. At minimum, the French net minimum wage per month is generally expected, and more is better.
• Health insurance covering your entire stay in France.
• Proof of housing in France, such as a lease, a property deed or a long-term rental.
• A signed commitment not to work in France.
• An online application on France-Visas and an appointment at a VFS Global center in the U.S.

After you arrive

1. Validate your visa online within 3 months of arrival. It then serves as your residence permit for the first year.
2. Renew at the préfecture before your visa expires.
3. After several years, you may apply for a multi-year card or a resident card. Language and civic requirements for these cards were tightened under France’s 2024 immigration law.

The mistakes we see most often

1. Unclear or unstable income. The consulate wants to see reliable resources for the whole stay.
2. Short-term rentals instead of real housing. A few weeks of vacation rental is rarely enough.
3. Insurance with gaps in coverage, dates or amounts.
4. Planning to work for French clients. The visitor visa does not allow it.

Why Americans work with us

We have offices in Santa Ana, California and Paris, and we know both sides of the move. We prepare your file to consulate standards and guide you through validation and renewal once you’re in France.

This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Arif Law Offices, P.C.