VLS-TS: The French Visitor Visa in 2025

Why you need a long-stay French visa

To stay in France legally for more than 90 days, you will need a long-stay visa. France offers several types of long-stay visas - here we look at one of them.

The VLS-TS, known as the "visitor visa," is treated as the equivalent of a residence permit. It is issued for a period of four months to one year, with each application assessed individually. The visa does not allow you to work or start a business in France, but it can be renewed.

Who is the VLS-TS visa for?

• Financially independent individuals who receive passive income from abroad.
• People in a civil partnership with French residents.
• Retirees who receive enough pension or social benefits from abroad to cover the cost of living in France.

What are the requirements for a VLS-TS visa?

• Sufficient financial means to support yourself in France without working.
• Valid health insurance.
• A place to live in France - whether owned, rented, or provided free of charge by relatives or others.

What are the benefits of the VLS-TS visa?

• Unlimited entries into and exits from the country.
• Visa-free travel throughout the Schengen area.
• The option to renew the visa as long as all conditions continue to be met.
• Access to high-quality European healthcare and to free education.
• Eligibility for permanent residency in France after five years.

Are you a professional at the top of your field?

The Passeport Talent is France's "talent visa," a special category for those who have achieved notable results in science, digital technology, the arts, or culture and wish to move to France to work in their field.

You will need to build a strong case demonstrating your talent. You must also have a place to live in France and meet a set income threshold.

Benefits of France's talent visa

• The right to live and work in France for four years.
• The ability to bring your family with you.
• French residency after five years.
• French citizenship after five years.
• Visa-free travel across the Schengen area.
• Healthcare on the same terms as local residents.
• Access to Europe's banking sector.

What changed in 2026

Language requirements were introduced by the 2024 immigration law and apply from 1 January 2026. The first visitor visa still needs no language.

What it costs

Dollars at the European Central Bank rate of 05.10.2026, rounded up.

How much money is needed

The law sets no exact amount, but consulates look at the French net minimum wage: in 2026 about €1,450-1,480 a month per person, about $1,700. It can be proven by a pension, rent, dividends or savings for the whole visa period. A couple is usually expected to show more, and savings one and a half times the threshold noticeably strengthen the application.

Steps and timeline

1. Online form on the official visa portal and a visa centre appointment.
2. Filing and biometrics. A decision usually takes 2-4 weeks, longer in peak season.
3. Entry into France.
4. Online validation within 3 months of entry, with the fee. Without it the visa stops acting as a residence permit.
5. Renewal, applied for online 2-4 months before the visa expires, then a one-year visitor card.

Documents and where to get them

• a passport issued within the last 10 years and valid 3 months beyond the visa;
• statements for the last 3-6 months, pension or rental and investment income certificates;
• a lease, title deed or a host's letter with their documents;
• health insurance for the whole stay with no treatment limits;
• a written undertaking not to work in France;
• a cover letter explaining why you are moving and what you will do.

Why applications are refused

• income below the minimum wage or its source unclear;
• signs the applicant intends to work, such as a contract with a French company;
• no confirmed housing for the first period;
• insurance with limits or not covering the whole stay;
• a cover letter that doesn't explain the purpose of the move.

Taxes and healthcare

If you live in France more than 183 days a year or have your main home there, you become a tax resident and pay tax on worldwide income at 0-45%. Foreign pensions and investment income must be declared. After 3 months of stable residence you can apply for public health cover, and an extra contribution is then charged on capital income. More on the France taxes page.

Comparison with other countries

France asks for less than Spain and Italy, but checks the purpose of the stay more strictly and has language requirements on renewal.

What we do

We check whether the visitor visa suits you or a talent passport is better, prepare statements, housing, insurance and the cover letter, book the visa centre, help with validation and renewal, and calculate taxes. We fix our fee in writing after a free consultation.

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