Long-stay visa in France is required for non-EU/EEA individuals who are planning to relocate to France for a period longer than 90 days. This type of visa implies applying in advance and, during its period of availability, it is equivalent to a Schengen visa.
Follow the detailed guide below prepared by our immigration lawyers in France in order to have a better understanding of the long-stay French visa requirements.
Table of Contents
Who needs to apply for a long-stay visa in France?
Foreign citizens who are looking to move to France for periods longer than 90 days are required to submit a French long-stay visa application form, with the exception of citizens from: European Union, Monaco, Andorra, European Economic Area and Switzerland. Individuals obtaining the French long-stay visa can travel through the Schengen Area outside of France during the visa’s availability.
Get more information from our immigration attorneys in France in order to find out if you are eligible to apply for a long-stay visa.
Motives to obtain long-stay visa in France
If your nationality requires to apply for a long-stay visa in France, the next step is to check the main reasons for which this visa is, generally, issued:
- for personal reasons or tourism matters;
- professional activities and job-related situations;
- study and pursue education in France;
- join family members who are already having French residency.
If one of the reasons above is suitable for you, get in touch with our specialized immigration lawyers to get more details about the application for long-stay visa in France.
Documents to apply for long-stay visa in France
In order to successfully submit the French long-stay visa application form, it is important to consider the following documentation requirements:
- travel document or passport in original and copy: the document must be issued less than 10 years ago and be available for at least 3 months after the date the visa should expire;
- 2 recent photographs in ID format;
- supporting documents, depending on the reason you apply for: marriage certificate, working contract, university admission document and more;
- proof that presents the payment of the application fees.
Furthermore, if you are looking to obtain the long-stay visitor visa in France in order to travel within this country for more than 90 days, there are additional documentation requirements to consider:
- travel itinerary;
- proof of return to your home-country;
- reasons for travelling to France;
- flight and hotel/accommodation bookings;
- proof of financial stability (bank statements from the last 3 months).
Find support from our lawyers if you need help to complete the documentation requirements and make your immigration to France more efficient.
Processing time and fees for the long-stay visa in France
For people who are looking to relocate to France and apply for this kind of visa, it is important to consider that the French long-stay visa processing time lasts between 15 and 45 business days (in the case when there are additional checks to be done by the authorities).
As for the application fees for the long-stay visa in France, these can vary according to the country of the foreign citizen, but they should not exceed 40 EUR.
Validity of long-stay visa in France
The French long-stay visa has availability for a period which lasts between 3 to 12 months, depending on the applicant’s reason to relocate. In this case, if the person who applies intends to stay in France no longer than 12 months, the long-stay visa will be considered a residence permit. If the period of staying exceeds 12 months, then it is required to apply for residency in France.
Find assistance from our immigration lawyers in France in order to get through the process of obtaining residency in this country and, later on, even getting citizenship in France.
Immigration statistics in France
Considering the variety of opportunities that France offers and its cultural diversity, official data shows some impressive numbers regarding people who choose to immigrate to France:
- In 2023, net migration rate in France was about 183,000 people;
- In the same year of 2023, 32% of immigrants living in France were born within the European area;
- 37% of people moving to France came here for work reasons, while 34% for family matters.
For more support regarding long-stay visas in France and residency in this country, do not hesitate to contact us.
