In order to get it, follow the steps listed below in the given order:
- Apply for a French long-stay visa with a validity of 4 months to 1 year from your country of residence
- Travel to France
- Validate / Confirm your long-stay visa as a VLS-TS at the French Immigration and Citizenship Office (OFII) in France
Full Answer
How long does it take to get a visa to France?
The Campus France application for approval (step 1) process takes either 3 days with expedited processing or up to 3 weeks for regular processing. The visa application process may take a minimum of 2-3 weeks after you have had your in-person appointment at the Visa Application Center (VAC). You may begin the Campus France application at any time.
What are the requirements for France visa?
- Recent bank statements.
- Employment contract stating your salary, if you will be working in France.
- Income from rented property.
- Retirement benefit plan.
- A letter of declaration from a sponsor stating the readiness to cover your costs for the period of stay, accompanied by documents that confirm possession of money of such sponsor ...
Do US citizens need visa for France?
All U.S. and Canadian citizens, including infants, need a valid passport to enter France. Visas are not required for American and Canadian visitors staying in France for up to 90 days. For more information, contact your nearest French Consulate. See a list of local French consulates in the U.S. (External link)
How to find a job in France as a foreigner?
Some practical advice when looking for work in France
- Keep an eye on sites with job opportunities and create email alerts by saving your search criteria. ...
- Take the time to update your CV and adapt it to the job offer you are applying for.
- Be sure to send in spontaneous applications to companies that interest you, so they get to know you.
How can I legally live in France?
For those willing and able to live in France without working or studying, you can apply for a long stay visa and then a carte de séjour once you're here. Be warned: This is not for the faint of heart. It requires proof of financial resources, private medical insurance, police clearance and massive documentation.
Can I get a visa to live in France?
For any stay in France exceeding 90 days, you are required to apply in advance for a long-stay vis. In this instance your nationality does not exempt you from requirements. Whatever the duration of your planned stay, the duration of your long-stay visa must be between three months and one year.
How do I get a visa to move to France?
The first step in moving to France from the U.S. is to get a visa, which will allow you to stay in the country for more than 90 days. To get one, visit France-Visas, the country's official visa website. You can complete the visa paperwork online, but you will need to submit it in person at the nearest visa center.
How much does a visa cost to live in France?
How Much Does a French Visa Cost?Visa typeFees in EuroFees in DollarsShort Stay8088.43Short stay visa for French Overseas Department or Region8088.43Short stay visa for French Overseas Territories1516.70Student Visa5055.605 more rows
Can I move to France permanently?
Permanent residence and citizenship If you are the spouse of a French national or foreign national with a carte de resident, or are the parent of a French child living in France, you can apply for permanent residence in France after three years.
How can I move to France without a job?
Your opportunities for moving to France without a jobFreelancing. As a freelancer in France, you'll be working for different companies rather than being permanently employed. ... Teaching English. Armed with good grammar and an email address, you can teach English from the comfort of your home. ... Start a business. ... Find a job.
How much money do I need to move to France?
Although France tends to be slightly more expensive than the U.S., a couple can live a modest lifestyle for just under $2,500 per month.
How long can you live in France without a visa?
90 daysU.S. citizens planning to enter and visit France as tourists do not require a visa. Citizens are permitted to remain in the country a maximum of 90 days.
Can you live in France without citizenship?
Residence and citizenship in France If you are staying in France for more than three months, you will need a residence permit (carte de séjour). The temporary VLS-TS visa acts as a one-year residence permit which you need to validate with the OFII within three months of arrival.
How much bank balance is required for France visa?
The minimum balance required for France is Euro 65 / day (if you show hotel reservations for the entire stay) or Euro 120 / day (for the number of days you do not show proof of hotel reservation). You should provide the details of bank account which is your salary account.
How do I get a 5 year Schengen visa?
5-year MEV is granted to people that have obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for at least two years within the previous three years. This visa permits you to enter 26 countries in Europe as many times as you wish, within five years, as soon as you do not violate the 90/180 days rule.
Is France visa easy to get?
The process of getting a French Visa is not easy, nor quick. You can complete the application process for a France visa by following the steps listed below: Choose the right Embassy. Compile the documents file.
Is it difficult to get residency in France?
For EU nationals, the process of gaining permanent residence in France could not be easier due to the rights of free movement. However, for non-EU/EEA nationals, gaining permanent residence in France takes time and requires an understanding of the country's immigration system.
How much money do I need to retire to France?
How much do you need to retire in France? This depends on your own lifestyle and where you take up residence but living well is very affordable in all parts of France. Two people can run an apartment while living well in France for between $2,100 to $2,500 per month. Is France a good place to retire?
Can I stay in France for 6 months?
Reminder: The temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T) is valid for 4–6 months. It applies to foreign nationals who wish to stay in France to attend a short educational programme, work as an artist or stay in France without working.
How long can you stay in France if you own property?
Home-owners will be able to stay at their French homes for 90 days every 180 days, at most. Overstaying this period has its consequences. By the end of 2022, all Brits travelling to France to visit their homes there will need to apply for a travel authorization.
How to apply for a visa in France?
Download the France Visa Application form, fill it completely and with sincerity. You can also fill the France Schengen Visa application form electronically and then print a hard copy .
Who does and who doesn’t need a Visa to enter France?
Not every foreigner and not for every territory of France applies the same visa policy. As such, visa exemptions are greatly influenced by dissimilar factors, where the major ones are: foreigner’s nationality, the territory of France that the applicant seeks to visit, foreigner’s residence status in Schengen Area or specifically in France, the purpose of visit, as well as the duration of stay.
How long can a French citizen stay in Uruguay?
Uruguay. Nationals who can enter the French Overseas Territories WITHOUT a French Visa but CANNOT stay more than three (3) months or ninety (90) days there, come from the following countries: Schengen Area member countries, Andorra, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Monaco,
How much does it cost to get a short stay visa in France?
If required a short-stay or airport transit visa for France the application fee is 60€ (unless otherwise stated on the visa sticker)
What is a medical visa in France?
France Visa for Medical Purposes is destined for foreigners who need to enter and stay in a French territory temporarily to get medical treatment in a medical institution located in French territory . Typically this visa type is issued to foreigners who cannot get the appropriate healthcare in their home country.
What is a cover letter for a French embassy?
French embassy/consulate also requires the confirmation of coverage letter as the proof of coverage to be submitted along with other requested documents and France visa application. A cover letter stating the purpose of a visit to France and itinerary. Flight ticket reservations.
What age are children allowed in France?
Children of 6-11 age (not including French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Mayotte and French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Do you Have a Valid U.S. Passport?
No matter which long-term visa you apply for, you need a valid U.S. passport that is no older than ten years.
French Visa and Residence Permit
A French long-stay visa gives you the right to enter France. In order to live in France for longer than ninety days, you also need a residence permit.
Get a Long-Stay Visa for Your Situation
Which visa you apply for depends on your specific situation. I will discuss the most common situations but make sure you read all the details on France-Visas.
How do you Apply for a Long-Stay Visa?
Use France-Visas wizard to determine which visa fits your situation the best.
Once Your Visa has been Accepted
Once you get your passport back, read carefully the data written on your visa sticker. It shows:
How to fill out a visa application?
Fill out the visa application form 1 Your application fees are due upon filing. 2 If your home country is eligible, you must fill out the online application form. You will be guided through the whole process by on-screen explanations.#N#Before validating and printing out your application, you will be asked to create a personal account that includes your email address in order to save your partially- or fully-completed form. After this step, you will receive the list of required supporting documents and have the opportunity to book your appointment. 3 If your country is not eligible, please check the appropriate procedure on your country of application page.
How old do you have to be to get a visa?
Any visa applicant aged 12 or older must submit his or her visa application in person. The following biometric data will be required: a photo (scanned or taken during your appointment), and ten individually-taken fingerprints.
What is the service provider for a visa?
The service provider (or consulate ) will receive you, review your application, collect the visa fee, capture your biometric data (photo and fingerprints) and retain your passport and the copies of all your supporting documents in order to forward them to the consulate.
How long can you hold a Schengen visa?
If you hold a biometric Schengen visa issued within 59 months, either bearing the mention ‘VIS’ or issued after March 2016, your previous biometric data can be re-used.
How long does it take to get a visa for a short stay?
Check on the average appointment wait times to ensure that you are able to submit your application three months to two weeks prior to your departure date for a long stay visa and 6 months to two weeks to your departure date for a short stay visa.
How long is a travel document valid for?
A travel document (original + copy) in good condition, issued less than 10 years ago, with at least two blank pages, which is valid for at least three months after the date on which you have planned to leave the Schengen Area, or in the event of a long stay, which is valid for at least three months on the date on which the requested visa expires. However, in the event of a duly proven emergency, this final requirement may be waived.
Can passports be sent by mail?
In some instances, the passport can be sent by postal services.
How to get a visa to live or study in France
Is it your dream to live la vie en rose? Well, this dream isn’t only possible, it’s actually not as hard as you think…! Here’s a guide on how to get a visa to study or live in France. Essential reading for students thinking about their options, as well as those who fancy a change.
Studying in France
If you’re looking to study in France but want to learn in English, there are several universities and schools that accept foreign students.
Do You Need a Visa or Residency Card to Retire to France?
If you’re not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country (which now includes British citizens after Brexit), or the spouse/direct family member of an EU/EEA citizen, you do not have an automatic right to move to or retire to France.
The Path to Residency for Retirees in France
If you are looking to retire to France, the path to residency is the same as for any other non-EU citizen hoping to move to France.
What Are the Requirements for Retiring to France?
As a retiree, you must provide proof that you are able to support yourself for the duration of your life in France. This means being able to prove that you have sufficient income (from a pension, savings, or investment), health insurance coverage, and accommodation.
Retiring to France?
From applying for residency and understanding your pension options, to life in France for the over 60s – FrenchEntrée is here to help! Let our Essential Reading articles guide you through the whole process, then visit our French Tax, Healthcare, Wills & French Inheritance, and Life in France zones for everything else you need to know.
How long do you have to be in France to get a French citizenship?
If you have been in France for five years , an alternative option to applying for your 10-year residency card is to apply for French Nationality, i.e., to become a French citizen.
How Much Does It Cost to Become Resident in France?
It also does not include the cost of translating any official documents into French (which is required at some points in the application process), so be sure to factor this into your calculations. Bear in mind that these fees will be split up over several years.
How long is a second carte de séjour valid for?
The second Carte de Séjour you will apply for will be a multi-year ‘pluriannuelle’ card, which is typically valid for four years (this may vary in certain circumstances, for example, a student Carte de Séjour may be issued for the length of your study term only).
How long does it take to get a Carte de Résident in France?
The minimum time you must have been living in France to apply for a Carte de Résident is five years ; this is reduced to three years for the spouses or family members of a French national. This card is valid for 10 years and is renewable, effectively serving as a permanent residence.
How long does it take to become a French citizen?
The first thing to prepare yourself for is that the road to permanent French residency is a long one – prepare yourself for a minimum of three years and a hefty amount of paperwork, regardless of your situation.
What is a medical exam in France?
The medical consists of a general clinical examination, an x-ray of the lungs, a vaccination check, and a blood glucose test for those at risk of diabetes. Additional examinations may be requested by the doctor. Health advice and information on the health system in France may be given.
Can spousal visa fees be waived?
Note that in some cases, for example, in the case of a spousal visa, these fees are waived; some study visa fees are also reduced. The following is included only as a reference – these fees are subject to change.
In short
You’ve gone through this lengthy process! You will need to request a renewal for the first 3 years before being able to request a 10-year residence permit as a French citizen spouse if you meet the requirements.
French Spouse Visa FAQ
Yes, you can live in France after requesting a French Spouse visa (called Vie Privée et Familiale) from the French Consulate of your current country of residence. Once arrived in France, you will need to validate your French Spouse Visa into a residence permit.
How long do you have to stay in France to get a residency card?
After three years of living in France under this residency permit, you can apply for a 10-year residency card. This residency card will allow you to work if you want to and will renew automatically.
How long does it take to get a French visa?
You can apply for the visa at a French consulate or by mail, but you will need to report to a consulate or embassy in person for an interview as well. You can expect the visa process to take at least one to two months.
How much does a doctor visit cost?
A typical visit to the doctor costs $30. As a resident, you will receive 70% of your healthcare costs back. Prescription medicine is less than half the price you pay in the U.S. for most drugs. If you develop a need for long-term healthcare such as diabetes or cancer treatment, the medication will be free. You will be expected to pay any fees or charges at the time of your visit.
Do you have to worry about overpaying in France?
Hospitals and private clinics offer some of the best quality of care in the world. Specialists have fixed fees dictated by the government, so you do not have to worry about overpaying in the French healthcare system. Taxes in France. In your first few years in France, you will not be authorized to work.
Is France a good country for healthcare?
Food, utilities, entertainment and other consumer goods are priced similarly to what you’d find in the United States. Healthcare in France. Healthcare in France has been ranked the best in the world, according to the World Health Organization. As a resident, you will have the same healthcare benefits as French citizens.
Is France safe to travel to?
Overall, France is a safe country, especially outside large cities. In a few urban areas, though, the French have had a recent history of terrorist attacks, and there is crime in some of the poorer banlieues (suburbs) around Paris. They have made several changes to their public security measures and have implemented anti-terrorism powers. On the whole, violent crime, vehicle crime and otherwise occur at similar rates to the United States.
Is France a good place to retire?
France has rich culture, some of the best healthcare in the world and relatively low crime rates. With all of these reasons, it’s no wonder many American retirees want to settle in France.
Immigration in France
Who Needs A French Visa?
Types of French Visa
Short-Stay French Visas
Temporary Long-Stay French Visas
Long-Term French Visas
Asylum Seekers and Refugees in France
Residence and Citizenship in France
- If you are staying in France for more than three months, you will need a residence permit (carte de séjour). The temporary VLS-TS visa acts as a one-year residence permit which you need to validate with the OFIIwithin three months of arrival. If you have a standard long-stay visa, you need to apply for a residence permit within two months of arriva...
Arriving in France
Appeals and Complaints