- Find out whether you need to apply for a French work visa. ...
- Decide under which category of the French Long Stay Work Visa you fall. Check out all the categories of the Work Visa and find out under which category you fall. ...
- Complete the file of documents. The requirements might change from country to country, though the changes cannot be many; therefore take care to collect the documents according to the requirements ...
- Book an appointment. Usually, you can book an appointment online. However, some countries do not offer this option, in which case you will have to go to the embassy or ...
- Pay the visa fee. Pay the visa fee on the day of your interview and save the receipt you get, since you will need it after to present it to ...
- Attend the interview. On the day of your appointment take care to show up at the embassy on time. Try not to be nervous and relax.
Full Answer
How long can you stay in France without a visa?
The rule states that over a year you can spend 180 days in total in France but not consecutively, you would have to spend time outside the EU (such as back in the UK) in between. You can do your 90 days as one block or as several shorter trips, but in every 180 days the total number of days must not exceed 90.
How to get a residence visa in France?
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
How long does it take to get a nonimmigrant visa?
The B-1 visa for temporary business-related visits to the United States is one of the most popular non-immigrant visas. There’s no specific timeline for a B-1 visa application. It can take anywhere from 2 weeks to several months to process your visa. It depends largely on the workload of your local U.S. embassy. B-2 Visa
How long can one stay on a tourist visa?
Visitor visa For tourists, business visitors or to visit family for 3, 6 or 12 months. Basic Eligibility. be a genuine visitor; have enough funds to support your stay and leave; pop-up content starts. Glossary and feedback
How long can a foreigner stay in France?
A long-stay visa allows foreign nationals to stay in France for longer than three months, with the aim of enabling the holder to obtain a residence permit so they can live in France for a specified period.
Which countries are exempt from the long stay visa requirement?
Nationals of the principalities of Monaco and Andorra. Nationals of San Marino and the Holy See. However, the following are exempt from the long-stay visa requirement: Foreign nationals and their families who have acquired long-term resident status in another European Union Member State.
Can I stay in France with a residence permit?
During this validity period, it grants the holder the same rights as the holder of a temporary residence permit or multi-year residence permit. It also allows the holder to apply to the Préfecture in their place of residence for a residence permi t so they can stay in France.
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 long can a foreigner stay in France?
A long-stay visa allows foreign nationals to stay in France for longer than three months, with the aim of enabling the holder to obtain a residence permit so they can live in France for a specified period.
How long does a passport need to be valid in France?
A passport (or other travel document) meeting both the following conditions:#N#Issued in the last 10 years.#N#Valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from French territory.
Can a consular reject a visa?
Consular or diplomatic authorities can reject visa applications. The reasons for such rejection must always be given in writing. Applicants may informally appeal such decisions free of charge and ask the relevant authority to reconsider their application.
How long does it take to get a long stay visa in France?
You can file your application for a long-stay visa VLS-TS from three months before your planned date of arrival in France. Processing times vary depending on the country you are applying in, but it’s a good idea to start as early as possible to leave enough time – you will need to make and attend an interview at your nearest French embassy or visa centre.
What is proof of French residence?
Proof of your French residence, rental agreement, or intended place of residence. This can be a hotel, proof of homeownership, or an attestation from your host.
What is an attestation in France?
An attestation stating the purpose for your stay (for example, that you are a second-home owner wishing to visit or carry out maintenance on your holiday home) and that you will not exercise any professional activity in France (for visitor visas only)
What to bring to CERFA?
Along with your printed receipt and CERFA form, be sure to bring all the required documents on the list provided – make sure you bring both the originals and copies. It’s a good idea to bring any supporting documentation, too, just in case.
Can non EU citizens travel to France?
Many non-EU citizens receive long-stay visas to visit France each year, and if you are eligible for a long-stay visa and have all the necessary paperwork, there is every chance your application will go through without a hitch.
How to renew your long-stay French visa?
It has now been almost one year that you live in France and your France long term visa (VLS-TS – Initial France entry visa valid as a residence permit) will expire in the next 2 months.
What is a France long term visa?
The first thing to consider is the duration of your stay in France since the 90-day rule applies in all the Schengen Area.
How to apply for a French visa?
Your first step should be to connect to the French administration’s visa wizard. It will confirm the visa type matching your situation. You will need to create an account, then complete the form and print out the result with the list of supporting documentation to submit with your visa application.
What is proof of address in France?
Proof of address in France matching the duration of the visa request (it can be for example a rental lease agreement, or a letter attesting you will be hosted with the dates, together with your host ID copy and their latest energy bill, and also Airbnb reservation (or equivalent).
How long does it take to get a French passport?
Depending on the consulate the visa processing time could be somewhere between a few days to usually 2 weeks to either receive your visa by postal mail or having to come in person to the consulate to retrieve your passport with your French visa.
How long does it take to get a residence permit in France?
The récépissé authorises you to remain in France the time to receive your permit, but only for the dates indicated on the document, usually 4 months, sometimes 6 for the initial request.
How many copies of each document are needed for a visa?
It is always a good idea to come overly prepared with all the documents requested when submitting the visa application request with 2 copies of each document.
What should I know about a long stay visa in France?
The first thing you should know about the long-stay visa for France is that the application is not easy. You are essentially playing a guessing game and trying to predict what will be acceptable and what you will need that isn’t listed on the website. You must be over-prepared at all times. Whatever the consulate asks for, give them more, not equal or less. I went into this process assuming it would not be straightforward to avoid any disappointment or frustration. I recommend you take the same mindset.
How to apply for a French visa in the US?
The first step is to find the French consulate in your country of residence (for me, the USA) which will take your application. There are multiple consulates in the US, so you’ll need to find the one that works with residents of your state if you’re American. At that point, you want to look at how far out they have an available appointment. Chances are you’ll have to wait at least a few weeks or months for an appointment. This will give you time to prepare the necessary documents.
How long is a passport valid in France?
Valid Passport – Passports must be valid for 3 months beyond the date of exit. (ie. If I arrive in France on October 1, 2017 with plans to leave on May 1, 2018; my passport must be valid until at least August 1, 2018)
How long does it take to get a visa approved?
If they approve/deny it right away, then it takes less than a week. Mine took 2-3 weeks because they needed more information and supporting documents. Personally, I wouldn’t risk it by booking other travel, but that’s just me. Good luck!
How long do you have to wait to get an appointment for a flight?
Chances are you’ll have to wait at least a few weeks or months for an appointment. This will give you time to prepare the necessary documents. It’s impossible to rush the application, so be sure to apply at least 3 weeks ahead of your intended departure date.
Can I apply for a visa in France?
Hi Megan! To answer your questions: 1. It is not possible to apply for the visa while in France. You can certainly prepare your application there (like securing a lease, getting your photos taken, etc.) but you need to apply in your country of residence.
Can Americans work in France?
About a year ago, I decided I wanted to move to France. After some research, I decided to apply for the French Long-Stay Visa, a visa for Americans which can be granted for a period of 3 to 12 months. This is a type of visitor visa which does not allow you to work for a French employer, so you must have either enough money to support yourself without working or have an external income stream outside of Europe.
Why a Long Stay Visa for France?
Since I’m not a student or an au pair, don’t have a French employer sponsoring a work visa and am not a spouse of French national, that left me with the long stay visa for France.
How long does it take to get a French visa?
After arriving in France, you need to complete the stamped OFII forms that you’ll receive with your new French visa within 90 days of your arrival. Completing this as soon as possible is best, as if you don’t complete the OFII process your visa is not valid.
How to send an OFII form to France?
Along with the completed form, you’ll send the following documents via mail to your department’s OFII office.
How often do you have to renew your titre de séjour in France?
For the first five years that you live in France, you must renew your titre de sejour annually. Once you have lived in France for five consecutive years, you’re eligible to apply for a permanent resident card. It’s not really a permanent residency, as that must be renewed every 10 years.
How many copies of the long stay visa form are there?
2 original copies of the long stay visa form completed
How long can US citizens stay in the EU?
As US citizens, we’re only allowed to stay in the EU for 90 days visa free. Then we have to leave for at least 90 days before returning again for up to another 90 days of visa free travel within the EU. Just as I needed a visa to live in Italy as a resident, I’d need to apply for one for France. And so the research began…
How much money do I need to live in France?
Depending on where in France you plan to live, being able to show a minimum of € 2500 per month seemed satisfactory. I provided three months of statements each for checking, savings, 401k and investment accounts.
How long does it take to hear back from a French consulate?
If you are an American, you should hear back within 14 days. They told me that in person at the French consulate. If you are not an American citizen or are applying for a different kind of visa this could take longer.
How to change passport in a building?
You go into the building and show the people at the front desk your passport and tell them you have an appointment. They give you a sticker thing and you go up. This will may change when they outsource their visa process.
Is the view from the consulate's windows bad?
The view from the consulate’s windows- not bad !!
Do France send letters saying you have been denied?
Some prefectures in France are nice enough to send you a letter saying you have been denied. Others are not.
Is the visa process changing in the USA?
Note that from the summer of 2018 the visa process will be changing in the USA. Your experience getting the long stay tourist visa to France may be different than my experience. I hope it will be better! Check the consulate’s website for more information, but be warned that there will probably still be a lot of red tape.
