France Long-Stay Visitor Visa

Written by Luis Minvielle Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Luis Minvielle

Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: July 2, 2025

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2026

Hey, your brand could be here!

Get noticed by relocation-ready individuals and expats

Start Advertising

Promoted

If you’re planning to stay in France for more than three months and don’t intend to work for a French employer or run a business locally, the long-stay visitor visa might be a good option. This visa allows you to live in France for up to a year and is given by the French consulate or embassy in your home country before you arrive.

The French long-stay visitor visa is commonly used by retirees, people visiting family, or those taking time off for personal reasons. It can also work for remote workers. Although it’s not officially designed for digital nomads, it is often used by people who work online for clients based outside France.

This article explains who can apply for the long-stay visitor visa, how the process works, which documents are needed, and what to expect once you’re in France.

 

Who can apply for the long-stay visitor visa?

The long-stay visitor visa or visa de long séjour is for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who want to live in France for more than 90 days without working for a French employer or starting a business in the country. It’s commonly used by retirees, people joining family members, and anyone planning an extended stay for personal reasons.

It can also work for remote workers who earn their income from abroad. While the visa doesn’t have a specific category for digital nomads, many people use it that way—as long as their clients or employers are based outside France. What matters most is that you don’t carry out a professional activity while in France and with an organisation in France. That includes salaried work, freelance services, or anything that would normally require registration with French authorities.

To qualify, you’ll need to show that you can support yourself financially during your stay, have accommodation in France, and hold private health insurance that covers you for the full period. You’ll also need to confirm in writing that you won’t be working in France.

Although the rules aren’t designed specifically for remote workers, this visa has become a convenient solution for many people who want to spend a year in France while continuing to work online for clients abroad.

How long is the French long-stay visitor visa valid for?

There are different types of long-stay visas depending on your situation—such as studies, family reunification, or work—and their validity varies. But for the visitor category, the duration is generally fixed when the visa is issued and doesn’t go beyond one year.

How to apply for the long-stay visitor visa

You must start your application for the long-stay visitor visa before coming to France, from your home country or country of legal residence. The process begins online, usually through the ANEF website, where you fill out your application and check which documents you’ll need. It's important to know that the application cannot be submitted earlier than 3 months before the planned date of arrival in France.

After you submit your online application, you’ll book an appointment at the nearest French consulate or embassy to provide your documents and complete your application in person. Processing times will vary depending on the consulate.

Once your visa is approved, it allows you to enter France and stay for up to one year. Within three months of arrival, you will need to validate your visa online through the French immigration portal. This step is required for it to count as a residence permit and confirm your legal stay. This used to be an in-person appointment, but the French government moved to an online service instead. (Less than five years ago, upon arrival in France with this kind of visa, you had to attend an in-person appointment at an OFII site two months into your stay. Usually, this visit included a "welcome session," during which the officers would make fun of anyone who spoke to them in English.)

If you later plan to stay longer than your original visa allows, you’ll need to apply for a different French residence permit before it expires. That application happens from within France, through the same immigration portal, and the request must be made at least two months before your visa or permit runs out.

What are the main documents to submit?

When you apply for the France long-stay visitor visa, you’ll need to prepare and submit the following documents:

• A valid passport (with pages showing your identity, dates of validity, and any visas or entry stamps).
• A full copy of your birth certificate with the most recent entries.
• Proof of accommodation in France (such as a rental contract, hotel reservation, or signed letter from a host).
• Proof of your resources reaching an annual amount equal to €17,115.69 (around one year of the French minimum wage). This can include bank statements, pension income, rental income, or support from a guarantor.
• If you’re supported by someone else: documents proving their income, a letter confirming financial responsibility, and a copy of their ID.
• A certificate stating that you have private health insurance covering your stay in France.
• A signed statement confirming that you will not work in France.
• An e-photo code (from a photographer or approved photo booth in your country).
• Proof of address that is less than six months old. This means: Proof of where you currently live. (The French authorities are very thorough.)
• A signed letter agreeing to respect the values of the French Republic.
• If applicable, a medical certificate issued by OFII (to be submitted later during your stay in France).
• Some of these steps are different if you’re requesting the student visa, for which you’ll need proof that you’ve been admitted to a French university.

Note: If your income comes from remote freelance or salaried work based abroad, you can include that information as part of your explanation for proof of financial means.

Some consulates may request additional paperwork depending on your personal situation, so it’s best to check with the specific French embassy or consulate handling your application.

How much does the long-stay visitor visa cost?

The application fee for the long-stay visitor visa is currently €99. Once you arrive in France and validate your visa online, you’ll also need to pay €225. This includes a €200 tax and a €25 stamp duty, both paid using tax stamps.

Payment is made at the time you validate the visa, and you’ll be asked to show proof of it when your residence permit is issued. Fees may change year to year, so it’s a good idea to check the France-Visas website for the latest updates before you apply.

What happens if your application is rejected?

If your long-stay visitor visa application is denied, the decision will usually come with a written explanation. In most cases, the prefecture will also issue an obligation to leave French territory. You may be able to appeal the decision by taking the case to the administrative court or sending an administrative request to have it reviewed. The steps and deadlines for appeal depend on the type of refusal and are explained in the letter you receive.

When there is no reply from the prefecture after four months, this is considered a refusal as well. You can still appeal, but the request must be made within two months of that silent decision.

Can you renew your long-stay visitor visa?

Yes. If you’re already in France and want to stay longer, it is possible to renew the long-stay visitor visa. The renewal process takes place online and must be started at least two months before your current visa or residence permit expires. You’ll need to provide updated documents to show that you still meet the conditions. If your request is approved, a new residence permit will be issued for another year. In this case, you’ll get the visitor card.

If you’re interested in staying longer in France, you could also analyse other options, like applying for a Talent Passport or another type of residence permit. For those working in tech or high-demand fields, the EU Blue Card could also be worth looking into.

Step-by-step guide for applying for the France long-stay visitor visa

Step #1 – Check if you qualify

• Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals staying in France for over 90 days.
• No work for a French employer or business in France.
• Must support yourself financially, have accommodation, health insurance, and confirm no work in France.

Step #2 – Prepare your documents

• Passport, proof of accommodation, financial proof, health insurance, signed no-work statement.
• Check with your local French consulate for any additional documents they may request.

Step #3 – Start your application online

• Apply online through the ANEF website, no earlier than three months before your planned arrival.
• Fill out the application and upload all necessary documents as specified.

Step #4 – Book and attend your consulate appointment

• Schedule an appointment at the nearest French consulate or embassy in your country.
• Bring all your documents and complete the application in person.

Step #5 – Wait for visa approval

• Once your visa is approved, you can travel to France and stay for up to one year under the visitor category.

Step #6 – Validate your visa after arrival

• Do this online within 3 months of arrival via the French immigration portal. This step confirms your legal stay and turns your visa into a residence permit.

Step #7 – Apply for a different permit if you want to stay longer

• Submit your application online at least 2 months before your current visa expires.

Step #8 – Renew your long-stay visitor visa if eligible

• While in France, you can renew your long-stay visitor visa online, again providing updated documents to prove you still meet the conditions.

• The renewal must start at least two months before your current permit expires.

   

Can family members come with you?

Yes, but each family member must apply for their own long-stay visitor visa. This means submitting a separate application and paying the same fees. For adults, this also includes proof of financial means and health insurance.

For children, parents can include a signed statement confirming financial responsibility and submit their own financial documents to cover the child’s stay. A birth certificate will also be needed to show the family relationship. While the visa process is individual, applications for families are often reviewed together, so it’s important to prepare all supporting documents for each person.

France vs. other EU countries: Remote work visa options

France hasn’t created a dedicated visa for remote workers, but many people use the long-stay visitor visa for that purpose. In contrast, some European countries have introduced more targeted options. For example, Portugal offers the D8 visa for digital nomads, and Spain has recently launched a similar option aimed at non-EU nationals.

If you’re still deciding between locations, it might be helpful to compare the long-stay visitor visa in France with remote work options in cities like Lisbon or Berlin, where coworking spaces, cost of living, and visa conditions are typically more directly suited to freelancers and remote workers.

Get support from immigration specialists

Applying for the long-stay visitor visa can feel overwhelming. The paperwork, deadlines, and official procedures are usually in French, which can make things harder. Even if you’re comfortable with the language, dealing with all the steps can take time and mistakes can slow down your application.

Talking to an immigration specialist can make the process easier. They know the details and can help you understand your options, prepare the right documents, and avoid common errors. With their help, you can spend less time on paperwork and more time preparing for your stay in France.

Need visa assistance/immigration advice?

Fill out this form

Shoot us an email with your inquiry at [email protected].