- Home
- Residence permits
- France
- France Long-Stay Visitor Visa
France Long-Stay Visitor Visa for Financially Independent People
A long-stay visa that works as a residence permit for its first year. It is for people who can live in France on a pension, rental income, dividends or savings and do not plan to work there.
The France long-stay visitor visa (VLS-TS "visiteur") is the most direct route for financially independent people. You need a steady income or savings that cover a year of living without work, with the threshold linked to the French minimum wage (SMIC). You also need housing, either a lease of at least a year or your own property, health insurance and a written commitment not to work in France. The visa is issued for one year and serves as your residence permit during that year. After arrival you validate it online within three months, and later the status is renewed at the prefecture.
You cannot work on this status, and that includes remote work for a foreign company. Consulates check carefully that the income and housing are real, so we review your bank statements, lease and landlord's documents before filing. Your family can apply with you: a spouse and minor children file at the same time as the main applicant.
Who it is for
- Retirees with a pension paid from abroad
- Property owners and investors with passive income
- People with substantial savings
- Families who want to spend time living in France without working
Requirements
- Income or savings for a year of living, at least at the level of the French minimum wage (SMIC)
- Housing in France: a lease of at least 12 months or your own property
- Health insurance that covers you in France
- A written commitment not to work in France
- No criminal record
- Online validation of the visa within three months of arrival
What we do
- Check your income and savings and calculate the amount needed for your family
- Advise on how to arrange a lease the consulate will accept
- Collect documents and arrange translations and apostilles
- Fill in the France-Visas application and prepare you for filing
- Help with visa validation after arrival and with renewal at the prefecture
Key documents
- Passport and the France-Visas application form
- Bank statements and proof of income or savings
- Lease agreement or proof of property ownership in France
- Health insurance policy
- Written commitment not to work
- Criminal record certificate with an apostille and translation
- Marriage and birth certificates if your family is coming
How it works
- Financial checkincome, savings and family members
- Housing and documentslease, insurance, translations and the France-Visas form
- Filingat a visa center or consulate, with biometrics
- Arrival and validationonline confirmation of the visa, paying the fee, and a medical check if required
- Renewalan application at the prefecture before the first year ends
Timeline
The visa is issued for one year and must be validated online within three months of arrival; the status is then renewed at the prefecture.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- Income without supporting statements and certificates is a common reason for refusal
- Consulates do not accept online booking confirmations in place of a real lease
- Missing the validation deadline after arrival makes your stay unlawful
- Remote work breaks the no-work commitment and causes problems at renewal
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $12,000. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
How much income do I need for the France long-stay visitor visa?
The threshold is linked to the French minimum wage (SMIC): your income or savings must cover a year of living without work. In practice, consulates approve applications more readily when you have a margin above the minimum. We calculate the amount for your family during the consultation.
Can I work remotely on a visitor visa?
No. When you apply, you sign a commitment not to work in France, and remote work for a foreign company breaks it. If you work online, we will suggest another route to France or to a neighboring country.
Can I show savings instead of a regular income?
Yes, substantial savings can prove financial independence if they cover at least a year and the money is accessible to you. A combination of savings and regular income often works best. We will advise on how to present your funds convincingly.
What is visa validation?
After you enter France, the VLS-TS visa has to be confirmed online, the fee paid and, if required, a medical check completed. The deadline is three months from entry. Without validation your stay counts as a violation, so we keep track of this step.
Can I change my status later?
You can move to a work or business status if you meet the conditions of the new category. It is not automatic: a new application has to be prepared. We will look at when and how this is possible in your case.
When can I get permanent residence?
After 5 years of legal, continuous residence in France you can apply for a long-term residence permit. For renewals and permanent residence, it matters that you actually live in the country for most of the year.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Related programs
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
