France Long-Stay Visa from Canada
Canadian citizens planning to spend more than 90 days in France will normally need a French long-stay visa, whether they intend to study, work, join family members or stay for personal reasons. The correct visa depends on the purpose and duration of the visit. Some long-stay visas must be validated after arrival, while others require a separate residence permit application.
For more information on the France long-stay visa, including a detailed breakdown of the different visa types, how to determine if you meet the criteria, and steps to apply from Canada, speak to an immigration lawyer. Call us at +1 844 290 6312 or contact us online.
Page Contents
- Do Canadians Need a Long-Stay Visa for France?
- Types of French Long-Stay Visas
- VLS-TS or VLS-T: What Is the Difference?
- France Long-Stay Visa Requirements for Applicants in Canada
- Documents Required for a French Long-Stay Visa
- How to Apply for a France Long-Stay Visa from Canada
- Where Do You Submit a French Long-Stay Application in Canada?
- France Long-Stay Visa Fees and Processing Times
- What Happens After Arriving in France?
- Can You Extend or Renew Your Stay in France?
- Our Total Law Team Can Help You
- Frequently Asked Questions
Do Canadians Need a Long-Stay Visa for France?
Canadian passport holders can visit France without a short-stay visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, subject to the applicable entry conditions.
However, this visa exemption does not automatically permit stays exceeding 90 days or authorise employment.
For a planned stay of more than three months, Canadian citizens will normally need an appropriate long-stay visa before travelling to France.
The rules differ depending on nationality and immigration status:
- Canadian citizens: Requires a long-stay visa for stays exceeding 90 days
- Non-Canadian citizens living in Canada: Must follow the requirements applicable to their nationality and prove their legal residence in Canada when applying there
- Canadian citizens who also hold EU, EEA or Swiss citizenship: Can generally reside in France under European free movement rules without a French long-stay visa
The visa category must match the purpose of the proposed stay. A visitor visa, for example, does not provide the same employment rights as a qualifying work visa.
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Types of French Long-Stay Visas
France offers several long-stay visa categories for Canadian applicants. Each has different eligibility requirements, supporting documents and residence conditions.
| Visa type | Who it may suit |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa | Canadians staying in France for personal reasons, tourism or retirement without undertaking professional activities |
| Student visa | Applicants enrolled in qualifying French educational institutions or training programmes |
| Work visa | Canadians taking up eligible salaried employment, temporary work or intra-company assignments |
| Talent residence route | Skilled professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs and others meeting qualifying Talent category requirements |
| Family visa | Applicants joining eligible spouses, partners or family members living in France |
| Youth mobility visa | Eligible Canadian citizens travelling under the France-Canada Youth Mobility Agreement |
| Entrepreneur or self-employed visa | Canadians establishing or undertaking qualifying independent professional activities |
Visitor Long-Stay Visa
A visitor visa may suit Canadians planning to spend several months in France without working.
Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources, suitable accommodation and medical coverage, and agree not to undertake professional activities during their stay.
Depending on the circumstances, France may issue a VLS-TS or a temporary long-stay visa.
Student Long-Stay Visa
Canadians accepted onto qualifying courses lasting more than three months may need a student long-stay visa.
Applicants must provide evidence of enrolment, financial resources and accommodation. The Études en France procedure may also apply to their application.
Work and Talent Visas
Canadians moving to France for employment may qualify for a salaried employee, a temporary worker, an intra-company transfer, or the Talent residence route.
Some categories require advance work authorisation from the French employer. Others have specific qualifications, salary or professional activity requirements.
The appropriate route depends on the proposed employment and should be assessed separately from the general long-stay visa requirements.
Family Long-Stay Visas
Canadians joining family members in France may qualify for a family long-stay visa.
The application process depends on whether the family member is a French citizen, another EU or EEA citizen, or a non-EU national with qualifying French residence status.
Marriage, family relationship and residence documents may be required.
France-Canada Youth Mobility Agreement
Eligible Canadian citizens aged 18 to 35 may qualify for a French long-stay visa under the bilateral Youth Mobility Agreement.
The agreement includes Working Holiday, young professional, internship and exchange arrangements, subject to their respective eligibility conditions.
Applicants must follow the requirements of their chosen category rather than the general visitor visa process.
VLS-TS or VLS-T: What Is the Difference?
French long-stay visas do not all carry the same residence formalities. The document you are issued determines what you must do upon entering France.
| Document | Purpose and follow-up |
|---|---|
| VLS-TS | A long-stay visa serving as a residence permit once validated. Complete online validation through the ANEF portal within three months of arriving in France and pay the applicable tax |
| VLS-T | A temporary long-stay visa for a fixed stay. It normally does not require VLS-TS validation and is not designed for continued residence beyond its validity |
| Long-stay visa requiring a residence card | Follow the visa instructions to apply for a residence permit, normally within two months of arrival, through the procedure applicable to your residence category |
The visa issued depends on the purpose and duration of your stay. Canada’s short-stay visa exemption does not remove these long-stay residence requirements.
Check the wording printed on your visa before travelling, as the post-arrival procedure varies by category.
France Long-Stay Visa Requirements for Applicants in Canada
Eligibility depends on the visa category, but applicants must demonstrate that their proposed stay meets the relevant French immigration requirements.
You will normally need to establish:
- Your identity and nationality through a valid passport
- Your legal residence in Canada if you are not a Canadian citizen
- A legitimate purpose for staying in France for more than 90 days
- Sufficient financial resources, where required
- Suitable accommodation arrangements
- Medical or health insurance coverage where applicable
- Compliance with any category-specific employment, education or family requirements
For example, a Canadian applying for a visitor visa must demonstrate that they can support themselves without engaging in professional activities.
A Canadian applying for a work visa may instead need an employment contract and evidence of employer work authorisation.
There is no single financial threshold or document checklist that applies to every French long-stay visa category.
Documents Required for a French Long-Stay Visa
Applicants submitting a long-stay visa application in Canada may need the following documents:
- A valid passport
- Completed France-Visas application form and receipt
- Recent passport photographs meeting French visa requirements
- Proof of legal residence in Canada, where applicable
- Evidence of the intended purpose of the stay
- Proof of sufficient financial resources
- Accommodation details in France
- Medical or travel insurance, where required
- Supporting documents specific to the visa category
Additional documents may include:
| Visa category | Additional evidence |
|---|---|
| Visitor | Financial records, accommodation evidence and medical insurance |
| Student | Admission or enrolment confirmation and applicable Études en France documentation |
| Employee | Employment contract and work authorisation, where required |
| Family | Marriage, birth or other relationship documents and evidence of the sponsor’s status |
| Self-employed | Business plan, financial projections and evidence of the proposed professional activity |
| Youth mobility | Documents required under the relevant France-Canada agreement category |
The final checklist is generated through the official France-Visas application process.
Applicants should not rely solely on a general checklist, as additional evidence may be requested.
How to Apply for a France Long-Stay Visa from Canada
Canadian citizens and other eligible residents of Canada can apply by following these steps.
- Identify the correct visa category. Use the France-Visas visa wizard to confirm the requirements for your nationality, residence and intended activity
- Complete any preliminary procedure. This may include Études en France registration, employer work authorisation or other category-specific approval
- Complete the online application. Create an account on France-Visas, enter the required information and generate your application form and receipt
- Prepare your documents. Gather the supporting evidence listed in your personalised checklist
- Book a VFS Global appointment. Choose an available designated visa application centre in Canada
- Attend the appointment. Submit the required documents, provide biometric information where applicable and pay the relevant charges
- Track your application. Follow the instructions provided by VFS Global while the French consular authorities assess your application
- Collect your passport and review the decision. If approved, check your visa’s validity, permitted activities and post-arrival requirements before travelling
Applicants should allow time for any preliminary authorisation, as this may be separate from the consular visa decision.
Where Do You Submit a French Long-Stay Application in Canada?
Complete the France-Visas process and follow its instructions for the designated visa application centre (VAC).
VFS Global is the official external visa application service provider for France in Canada. It operates centres in:
- Montreal
- Toronto
- Vancouver
- Ottawa
Visa applications submitted in Canada are examined by the French Consulate in Montreal.
Check the VFS Global Canada website for current appointment availability, document submission arrangements, and service charges.
If you are studying, confirm whether the Études en France procedure must be completed before submitting your visa application.
If you qualify under the France-Canada Youth Mobility Agreement, follow the instructions for your specific programme rather than a generic visitor checklist.
France Long-Stay Visa Fees and Processing Times
The standard French long-stay visa application fee is €99, although reduced fees or exemptions apply to certain categories.
Applicants submitting through VFS Global in Canada must also account for the visa application centre’s service fee.
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard long-stay visa application | €99 |
| Eligible Études en France student application | €50 |
| Basic VFS Global service fee in Canada | €31.50 |
| Additional services, translations or document preparation | Varies |
| Post-arrival residence validation or permit taxes | Depends on immigration category |
Fees are collected in Canadian dollars using the applicable consular conversion arrangements.
France-Visas states that visa decisions are generally made within 15 days, although some applications may take up to 45 days or longer where additional checks are required.
These are indicative decision periods, not guaranteed timelines, for every long-stay visa.
Appointment availability, category-specific approvals and supporting-document checks can affect the overall process.
Applicants in Canada should aim to secure their appointment at least one month before departure. France-Visas currently states that long-stay visa applications in Canada cannot be submitted more than three months before the intended departure date.
What Happens After Arriving in France?
Your obligations upon arrival depend on the visa you are issued.
If You Have a VLS-TS
You must validate your VLS-TS online within three months of arriving in France.
Validation takes place through the French government’s ANEF portal.
You will normally need your visa details, arrival date, French residential address and payment information for the applicable tax.
Failing to validate a VLS-TS within the required period can affect your lawful residence and ability to re-enter France.
If Your Visa Requires a Residence Card
If your visa requires you to apply for a residence permit upon arrival, follow the relevant application procedure by the specified deadline, 2 months.
The application process may involve an online service or the local prefecture, depending on your residence category.
If You Have a VLS-T
A temporary long-stay visa does not require VLS-TS validation.
However, it is intended for a fixed period and does not automatically provide a right to extend your residence or switch to another immigration category.
Can You Extend or Renew Your Stay in France?
Some French long-stay immigration categories allow eligible applicants to continue residing in France by renewing their residence permit or changing status.
The process depends on the visa or residence permit held and whether the applicant continues to meet the relevant requirements.
For example, an eligible employee may apply to renew their residence permit if they continue to satisfy the conditions of their employment category.
A VLS-TS holder who wants to remain beyond its validity must follow the applicable residence permit procedure before their permission expires.
A VLS-T is not ordinarily intended for renewal or continued residence. Applicants should not assume that every long-stay visa can be extended from within France.
Our Total Law Team Can Help You
France has different categories of long-stay visas, and deciding which is right for you might be challenging.
However, our dedicated immigration lawyers at Total Law can help. We are experts in French immigration law and have helped several individuals with their immigration situation.
We will analyze your circumstances and help you determine the best immigration route. We will also assist in preparing your documents and submitting your application. Our lawyers will answer any questions you have and provide you with legal advice throughout the process.
To get started on your immigration journey, call us at +1 844 290 6312 or contact us online.
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With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will assess your case, prepare your application, check your supporting documents and submit your forms on your behalf.
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Your case receives priority handling, including accelerated document reviews, application preparation, communication with your caseworker and submission support.
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Our immigration lawyers will review the decision, explain why it was refused and advise on the strongest option available to you, including an appeal, review or fresh application where appropriate.
We will examine the reasons for refusal, identify weaknesses or errors, assess your available options and provide the legal support and representation your case requires.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It usually takes 15 days to decide on a France visa application in Canada. However, it can take up to 45 days, depending on the complexity of the case.
The France long-stay visa is usually valid between 3 months and one year.
You might face immediate deportation, fines, or an outright ban from entering the country in the future.
