Long-Stay Visa France for US Citizens
US citizens don’t need a visa to come to France for less than 90 days. However, you need a Long-Stay visa to remain in the country for longer.
Improve your chances of a successful application with help from Total Law. Get started by calling us at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or discover our visa services by visiting us online.
Long-Stay Visa France Overview
A Long-Stay visa allows US citizens to remain in France for 3 months to 1 year. It is the perfect opportunity to fully immerse yourself in French life during a long-term visit, whether you join a family member, work, or study in the country. You can apply for it through the French consulate in the USA.
Another great benefit of this visa is that France is a member of the Schengen area. This is a collection of nations in the European Union and the European Economic Area that share free movement agreements. As a result, you will be able to visit a large part of Europe without needing additional visas.
Page Contents
- Long-Stay Visa France Overview
- Types of Long-Stay Visas in France
- France Long-stay Visa Required Documents
- How US Citizens Can Apply for a France Long-Stay Visa
- Long-Term France Visa Fees and Processing Time
- Common Reasons for France Long-Stay Visa Rejection
- Applying for a Residence Permit
- Getting French Citizenship
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Types of Long-Stay Visas in France
The ‘Long-Stay visa’ is an umbrella for a number of different visa types. You will need to select the right one in your visa application and show that you meet the eligibility requirements, although they will usually have the same visa fee and processing time. The most common Long-Stay visa types are detailed below, including those for visitors, study, work, family reunion, and entrepreneurs:
Visitors
US citizens who want to visit France for longer than the three-month visa-free period will need a temporary Long-Stay visa. This usually has a validity of 4-6 months.
You won’t be able to carry out a professional activity based in France or abroad while on this visa. That makes it perfect for tourists, retirees, and digital nomads taking a long break from work.
Study
Foreign nationals over 18 need a VLS-TS Étudiant visa to study in France. You will usually be allowed to stay in France for the length of your course or program.
The main requirements for this type of study visa are that you have properly enrolled in a recognized French institution and that you have the means to support yourself without needing help from the French Government.
Work
If you have a job offer from a French employer who has sponsored you to come to the country, you can apply for a Long-Stay visa. There are many kinds of this type of work visa, but the two most common are:
- VLS-TS Salarié: suitable for salaried employees of a French company with a permanent contract lasting over 90 days
- VLS-TS Travailleur Temporaire: suitable for foreign nationals with a fixed-term contract with a French company. This also must be over 90 days long
Family Reunion
US citizens with close family members who are French citizens or are settled in the country will need a VLS-TS Vie Privée Et Familiale. The relation must be the applicant’s spouse, partner, or child. Dependent elderly relatives of a US national in France can also use this visa.
The main requirement of this visa type is that you can prove you have a suitable relationship with the individual in France. A birth certificate or marriage certificate is commonly needed. If joining a spouse or partner, you may also need a divorce certificate to show that any previous marriages have been properly broken.
Entrepreneurs
France is the third-largest economy by GDP in Europe, behind only the United Kingdom and Germany. That makes it a fantastic economy to start your business. Entrepreneurs can come to France with this intention with a VLS-TS Entrepreneur/Profession libérale visa.
To obtain this visa, you will need to provide a detailed business plan. It needs to show that your business idea has the ability to grow. Your business will also need to contribute to the French economy by providing jobs.
France Long-stay Visa Required Documents
You will need to supplement your application with supporting documentation that conclusively proves that you match the eligibility criteria for the type of Long-Stay visa that you have applied for.
Documents required will vary depending on your circumstances and the type of Long-Stay visa you are applying for.
The most common documents needed are listed below:
- A passport or travel documents, valid for at least three months beyond when your visa will expire. It should also have been issued within the past ten years
- Passport-sized photos for use on your visa
- A complete application form. You must sign this
- A cover letter clearly explaining the reason you are traveling to France
- A travel itinerary for how you will get to the country
- Proof of health insurance coverage. Your health insurance needs to have coverage worth at least 30,000 euros and include repatriation costs
- Proof of accommodation in France, such as a rental agreement or hotel bookings
- Proof that you have enough money to support yourself while you are in the country, such as three months’ worth of bank statements
- Proof of a clean criminal record
Your documents will only be processed if they are in French. You will need to arrange and pay for a certified translation for any documents in English or another language.
Each type of Long-Stay visa has additional required documents. A Work visa requires you to provide an employment contract and a business license if you are self-employed. Proof of enrollment is needed for a Study visa.
Finally, a Family visa requires you to provide proof of your family ties to a French citizen or resident, such as a marriage certificate.
Understanding exactly what documents will be needed can be challenging. Use an immigration service provider such as Total Law for help compiling them. Contact us at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to learn more.
How US Citizens Can Apply for a France Long-Stay Visa
Complete the following application process to begin your journey toward a French visa:
- Decide which type of Long-Stay visa is most suited to your needs.
- Complete the online application form.
- Book an interview with your local French visa application center.
- Attend the interview and submit your documentation.
- Pay the visa processing fee.
Once the fee is paid, you will need to wait for the processing time to elapse before you will receive a decision as to whether you have been successful and can come to France.
Please note that you can’t apply for a Long-Stay visa while spending your visa-free 90 days in France. You will need to return to the United States to make your application.
Long-Term France Visa Fees and Processing Time
The standard application fee for a Long-Stay visa is €99. This fee also applies to the spouse and dependents of someone on a French Tech Passport. A lower application fee of €50 must be paid by students whose application has been considered by a center for studies in France.
Once your application arrives at the French consulate, you can expect processing to take two to 15 working days. Complex applications or those submitted during busy times can take up to 45 working days.
France visas notes that you can submit your application up to 180 days before your planned date of travel, and that you should submit your application a minimum of 20 working days before you want to come to France.
Common Reasons for France Long-Stay Visa Rejection
There are a huge number of reasons that your application might be rejected, even if you are a suitable candidate, but have made mistakes during the application process. Examples include:
- You haven’t completed your application form properly
- Your documentation is invalid or doesn’t properly support your application
- You apply for the wrong visa, for example, if you are a student
- You applied more than 180 days before your planned date of travel
- You don’t have the right health insurance
In such cases, it is usually best to fix the errors and then reapply. Your original application fee won’t be refunded, so you’ll need to pay it again. Meanwhile, there may be issues with yourself as an applicant that will make it almost impossible to get Long-Stay visas. Examples include the following:
- You don’t have enough money to support yourself in France
- You have a prior serious criminal or immigration offense in France, the Schengen area, or its partner nations
Appealing France Visas Rejection
In some cases, French immigration authorities wrongfully reject a visa application. If you think this has occurred in your case, you can launch an appeal. You, a nominated representative from your family, or a lawyer can make the first administrative appeal to the Commission de Recours contre les décisions de Refus de Visa d’entrée en France (CRRV). Make sure to appeal within 30 days of your visa’s rejection for it to be considered.
After processing your appeal, CRRV will make a recommendation to the French Government, which will make the final decision. A rejection will be given to you in writing or by not responding to your appeal within two months. An annulment appeal with the administrative tribunal of Nantes is the next step if you still believe that your application should have been accepted.
Applying for a Residence Permit
Your initial Long-Stay visa will have limited validity dates, which will usually not exceed 12 months. Foreign nationals can stay in France for longer by getting a residence permit, which can be renewed to allow them a longer stay.
Begin the process by validating your French visa online. Use the French Government portal and input information like your visa number, your French address, and the date you came into the country. You will also need to upload a copy of your valid passport. If this process is successful, you will get a confirmation certificate, allowing you to stay in France for the length of your visa’s validity dates.
Then, wait until between two and four months before your visa’s expiry to begin the residence permit application process. It is advisable to do this as early as possible in case there are bottlenecks in the process.
Apply for your residence permit through the French immigration portal. You will need to upload your visa, passport, and other documents before paying the application fee.
Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive a temporary residence certificate, showing that you have a right to stay in France while your residence permit application is being processed.
During processing, you may be given an appointment at your local prefecture to answer any questions.
If your residence permit application is successful, French authorities will provide information on how you can collect it.
Getting French Citizenship
Once you have legally resided in France for over five years, spending time in the country with a valid visa or residence permit, you can apply for French citizenship by naturalization. This time in France needs to be uninterrupted.
Alongside the continuous residency requirement, you also need to fulfill the following:
- Have a clean criminal record
- Have a decent standard of French language skills – level B2 (upper intermediate) or higher on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- Have a good understanding of French culture and history
French citizens have access to a vast number of benefits in the country. You will be allowed to live and work for as long as you want in the country without needing to worry about renewing your residence permit. A French passport gives you visa-free access to 160 nations, including European Union countries.
You will also be allowed to vote, and any children that you have as a French national will also become French citizens. France allows dual citizenship so you may be able to hold onto your American passport.
How Can Total Law Help?
The Long-Stay visa comes with fantastic opportunities in France, including visiting the country, working for a French company, or studying at a French university. The visa also gives you access to the Schengen Area. You need to file a strong application for a chance to get the visa and begin living in the nation.
Use an immigration service provider like Total Law for help putting together your application. We can guide you toward the type of Long-Stay visa suited to your needs, before taking you through the entire application process. Once you have settled in France, we can reconnect to help you get a residence permit, so that you can remain in France for multiple years, or even help you become a French citizen by naturalization.
For help with your visa application, contact Total Law at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or fill out our online contact form to learn about our services for other visa applicants for France and beyond.
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once you have submitted your application, you will need to book a visa interview with your local French visa application center. In this interview, you will submit your required documents. You may also need to explain more about the purpose of your trip to France. Finally, your biometric information (your fingerprints and photograph) will be taken.
Immigration offenses in France will make it unlikely that authorities will accept your visa application, but previous visa rejections do not automatically stop you from getting a French visa. Although rejections won’t necessarily be held against you, they will form a part of the French consulate’s decision. Avoid rejections wherever possible to avoid this additional complication.
Breaking the rules will lead to your Long-Stay visa being canceled, often forcing you to return to the United States. You will also need to return to the United States if you overstay your visa.
The same applies if you have extended it as a residence permit. You will be allowed to appeal if you think the cancellation is wrongful.
Examples of reasons for visa cancellation include the following:
- You came to France fraudulently, such as if you lied during the application process
- The reason for your coming to France, such as your job or studies, no longer exists
- You have taken part in actions that have disrupted public order
The prefecture where you reside or where the breach was discovered will make the initial decision as to whether your visa should be canceled.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Total Law before making any decisions based on the content provided.