France Long Stay Visa For UK Citizens

Overview

When coming to France for a period of 3 months to 1 year, you will be required to apply for one of the Long-Stay Visa categories, depending on the purpose of your visit. To obtain a visa to France from the UK, you must provide the following supporting documents as evidence of your eligibility:

• Valid and current passport or other travel document – passports must be valid for at least 3 months after your intended departure from the French territory; they also must have been issued within the last 10 years and have 2 full blank pages for visa stamps.
• Recent passport photograph – following the French passport requirements
• Completed and signed visa application form
• Cover letter explaining the applicant’s purpose for the visit
• Travel arrangements – proof of transport, such as flight reservations or itinerary of the visit
• If you’re staying in France longer than 6 months, you must provide travel health insurance covering your stay in France (the coverage should be at least €30,000). If you’re staying less than 6 months, you can submit a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
• Evidence of accommodation during your stay in France – hotel bookings, an invitation from your host (validated in the town hall at the request of the host), accommodation proof
• Proof of funds to demonstrate that you are able to support yourself financially during your stay in France – bank statements for the last 3 months showing that you will have €65 per day of stay if you have a hotel booked for your stay, €32.50 per day if you are accommodated by a host in France, or €120 if you have a different accommodation.

Please note that any documents in English must be translated into French by a certified court translator.

Additional Supporting Documents for Specific Long-Stay Visas to France

Depending on the type of Long-Stay Visa you’re applying for, you will be required to provide additional supporting documents to show your eligibility for the particular type of visa you want to obtain:

• Work Visa – contract of employment, bank statements from the last 6 months, income tax return form, your business licence if you’re self-employed
• Study Visa – proof of enrolment to the study program or course, no-objection certificate from the school or higher education institution in the UK
• Family Visa – proof of family ties, such as a marriage, birth or adoption certificates

If you’re unsure what documents to provide for the type of Long-stay Visa you’re applying for, contact Total Law to receive professional immigration advice. Call 0333 305 9375, or contact us online.

Overview

An application for a Long-Stay Visa to France should be made no more than 3 months before the planned trip. Before you apply for your visa, you should know the purpose of your trip to determine the type of Long-Stay Visa you need.

To apply for your visa, contact the French Consulate in London or visit the Consulate website and complete an online application form. You must ensure that you complete the application truthfully and have adequate supporting documents.

Long-Stay Visa Interview

After submitting your application, you are required to book a visa interview appointment at a French Visa Application Centres. When attending the interview, you will be asked to submit the required supporting documents, and you might be asked questions about the purpose of your trip to France. You must have a clear purpose for travel and adequate documents to prove it. You will also be required to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photo taken) and then pay the visa processing fee.

Please note that if your application is incomplete, missing documents, or failing to prove your eligibility in some way, it might be refused. If your application gets rejected, you should follow a similar process to when visas are revoked and appeal the decision or re-apply for a new visa. This process, however, leads to delays and additional costs.

Overview

Once you arrive in France, you must present your supporting documents at the border unless:

• You have a French Residence Permit, French Identity Card (TIR) or the Foreign Minors’ Circulation Document (DCEM)
• You are the spouse of a person holding French citizenship
• You have a Long-Stay Visa, which states that the Residence Permit must be applied for upon arrival
• You are coming to France as any of the following:
  • Fulfil diplomatic missions and consular posts
  • Carry out activities as a member of parliament
  • Conduct assignment briefs from your government as an official, officer, agent of foreign public services, or an official of an intergovernmental organisation
  • Engage in service travel as ships and aircraft crew

Upon your arrival in France, you must apply for a Residence Permit (if your Long-Stay Visa indicates an obligation to apply for a Residence Permit). You must do so within 2 months of your arrival in France. To apply for a Residence Permit, you must contact your local Prefecture or sub-prefecture in France. Please note that you will need to bring with you the same supporting documents and information you have used when submitting your visa application.

Required Information to Validate Long-Stay Visa Equivalent to a Residence Permit (VLS-TS)

To validate your Long-Stay Visa equivalent to a Residence Permit (VLS-TS), you will need to provide the following information:

• Your visa
• The date of your arrival in France
• Your address in France
• Your credit card details to pay for the issuing of the Residence Permit

Overview

To extend or renew your visa, you will need a Residence Permit. By renewing your Residence Permit, you will extend the validity of your visa. You must apply for a Residence Permit (‘Titre de Séjour’, also referred to as ‘Carte de Séjour’) renewal 2 months before the expiration date of your current Residence Permit. You can do this at the Prefecture nearest to your place of residence or online via the Ministry of the Interior website. You will be issued a residence card after your renewal application is approved.

How Do You Renew the French Long-Stay Visa in Person?

To renew your visa, you will need to book an appointment at your local Prefecture or the nearest police station if you live in Paris. You will be given a date for your visa renewal appointment and have time to prepare documents to bring to the appointment (remember that any documents in English must be translated into French). When you attend the visa renewal appointment, you will need to submit the same support documents you have used for your initial visa application.

During your appointment, you will have your biometric information taken (fingerprints and photos). If your visa renewal is approved, you will be issued with a confirmation of your visa validity extension. The cost of visa renewal is the same as that of a Residence Permit (€225).