Important!

In addition to watching the video above, please make sure to read the text below as there are several updates and additions.

And please be aware that French immigration procedures, fees, financial thresholds, language requirements and online application processes change regularly. This lesson is educational and does not constitute immigration, legal or tax advice. Use the France-Visas Visa Wizard and the current Service-Public page for your exact visa or residence category. Since 1 January 2026, some applications for multi-year residence cards, resident cards and French nationality are subject to new French-language and civic-examination requirements. Do not rely on figures or procedures in this lesson without checking the official source on the day you apply.

This is arguably, the most important lesson in our course, because if you are unable to obtain permission to live in France then everything else is academic. You really need to get this one right.

There's a lot to take in here so I'm afraid there's a lot of text. It's important though. Sorry!

For something that's as important as this, I would suggest you don't go it alone. Before finding help from an expert online, please take a look at the interview I did (above) with Juliette Harancot from French Connections HCB. She and her colleagues do this all day for a living so they know exactly how to fill out the forms to give your application the best chance of approval. Remember, this is possibly the most important thing you need to get right because if you fail and your application for residency is rejected, you may not be able to live in France past the end of your visa. Don't let that happen.

So, here then, is our step-by-step guide to gaining your long-term visa and/or residency in France...

People moving to France from any EU country are very lucky. They are legally entitled to live, study and work in any of the EU member states without any hassle at all. They don't need a visa. It's a bit like moving from New York to Florida. Just turn up and start your new life. That's the beauty of 'Freedom of Movement'. Having an EU passport just makes EVERYTHING easy!
If you only have a US passport though, things will be a bit more complicated, but not impossible. Firstly, let's look at the possibility of obtaining an EU passport through ancestry. If you can do this it will make everything (and I do mean 'everything') far less complicated for you going forward.
If you have an EU citizen among your parents or grandparents, you may qualify for citizenship under that country’s descent rules and thus, be able to obtain your very own EU passport, allowing you to live, work and study in any of the member states. No need for silly old visas or residence cards. Just turn up and live your best life. No questions asked! Let's start with my own situation as an example (Ireland) and then we'll look at other countries that offer similar opportunities.
Do you have Irish parents or grandparents?
Some lucky people who have Irish parents or grandparents can apply for an Irish EU passport, even if they’ve never been to Ireland. That amazing passport will give them the right to live, work and study in any of the EU member states, including France. Easy-Peezy, Lemon-Squeezy, so to speak!
I’m a British subject. I was born and raised in London but my parents were from Ireland so I was able to obtain an Irish EU passport in addition to my British passport. Therefore, I now have dual British/Irish nationality. If you fall into that category you can apply for an Irish passport online but you will need to show proof of your lineage. Your birth certificate and your parent's marriage certificate and birth certificates along with some ID should do the trick.

All the actual details you’ll need are available on the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs web site. which you'll find here:
https://www.dfa.ie/passports/documentary-requirements/anadult/firsttimeapplicantbornabroad/

The cost of obtaining an Irish passport varies depending on the type of passport and the method of application, as follows (correct at the time of writing):

Passport option	Fee
Standard adult passport, 10 years, 34 pages — online	€75
Standard adult passport, 10 years, 34 pages — postal/Post Passport	€80
Large adult passport, 10 years, 66 pages — online	€105
Large adult passport, 10 years, 66 pages — postal/Post Passport	€110

For an application made online from outside Ireland, you may also need to pay a €15 overseas postal fee
There are a few other EU countries which offer similar opportunities to obtain an EU passport through family ties. Here's an overview of those that offer a descent-based route to citizenship, along with contact details to help you get started.
Italy Recent developments in Italy have made headlines. A new regulation, effective as of March 28, 2025, limits the citizenship by descent option. Previously, even a great-grandparent was enough to launch an application, but now Italy restricts eligibility to those with an Italian parent or grandparent. Additionally, Italy now requires applicants to pass a state-administered language exam (or an approved equivalent) - a requirement that underscores the need for a connection to Italian culture and heritage – and have previously resided in Italy for a minimum period, and pay higher application fees. Check the Italian consulate responsible for your residence though, before making plans.
Next Steps:Check out the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at https://www.esteri.it/ for current procedures and documentation requirements.Contact:Phone: +39 06 46741Email: protocollo@esteri.it
PolandIf you can provide documented evidence of Polish ancestry from a parent or grandparent, you may be eligible for citizenship. Applicants are required to prove an unbroken chain of citizenship, and you will need to provide detailed records.
Next Steps:Learn more at the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs at https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacyContact:Phone: +48 22 826 85 00Email: info@gov.pl
HungaryHungary offers a program tailored for ethnic Hungarians living abroad. If you have verifiable Hungarian ancestry through a parent or grandparent, the process is designed to be relatively straightforward.

Next Steps: For guidelines and support, visit the Hungarian Government website at https://www.kormany.hu/enContact:Phone: +36 1 428 8000Email: info@kormany.hu
RomaniaRomania may permit citizenship claims for individuals who are direct descendants of Romanian nationals. Strong documentation of family ties is required however, to prove your family’s citizenship lineage and each application is reviewed meticulously.

Next Steps: Refer to the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further instructions at https://www.mae.ro/enContact:Phone: +40 21 313 1000Email: contact@mae.ro
SpainSpain generally restricts citizenship by descent to those with a direct parent-child relationship. However, there are special routes for individuals with Sephardic Jewish heritage that extend beyond immediate family ties.

Next Steps: For more details, visit the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs at http://www.exteriores.gob.esContact:Phone: +34 91 379 1000Email: info@exteriores.gob.es
PortugalPortugal offers a straightforward process for direct descent applicants. Additionally, a special provision exists for those with Sephardic Jewish heritage, which requires demonstrating cultural and historical connections.

Next Steps: Head over to the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service to apply at https://www.sef.pt/Contact:Phone: +351 21 342 2200Email: sef@sef.pt
Remember, everything takes forever to happen so if you are going to apply for an EU passport through family ties, be sure to do that long before you intend to move to France.
In our case however, my wife did not have a parent or grandparentsuitable for passport application . Born in Northampton, UK, she only had a British passport. Normally, she would have to go down the visa route to move here but luckily for us, the spouse of an EU citizen is allowed to piggyback on their freedom of movement.
The French Government doesn't want to be seen to be breaking up families so Becky was able to move with me to France. As a British national she still had to jump through some hoops to get a Carte de Sejour, which is a little card that gives a non-EU citizen the right to live in France. More on that later.

Becky has put together some useful info about how, as the spouse of an EU citizen, she managed to get her Carte de Sejour.
Obtaining your Visa if you are from the US
The actual process you take will depend on your own circumstances and may differ a bit from one scenario to another. You may be wanting to study in France or perhaps you are being sent by your American employers to work in their Paris office. Or maybe you're from Florida and want to retire and enjoy the laid back French lifestyle, gastronomy and culture. There are so many reasons for why you might want to live in France and, if you are coming from the US there's a visa to suit most scenarios.

So, some time before departing the US for France you'll need to verify what kind of visa you're going to need, based on your situation and nationality. You can do that online by going to the French Government web site, where you can also see the accompanying fees and the documents you will need to provide with your application. Having read that page you can then use their Visa Wizard to determine which kind of visa you actually need for your own circumstances.

If you want to try to do this yourself then you can start by going to the Visa Application Guidelines page on the French Government Website at:
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/visa-application-guidelines
Having read that page you can then use their Visa Wizard at:
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/visa-wizard
Whatever reason you have for moving to France though, the Long-Stay Visa (also known as the Visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour visiteur or VLS-TS for short) for your particular reason is most likely the one you need. This visa allows you to stay in France for up to one year and is a prerequisite for applying for a residency card (Carte de Sejour or Titre de Sejour).

At this point I should point out that if you are intending to start a business in France, you will need to apply for the kind that allows you to do so. A big mistake that many would-be entrepreneurs make is applying for a visa that does not allow them to work or start a business. It is possible to change your visa type once you are in France but be warned that the process can take up to two years. You may even have to start a new application from outside France. So, make sure you apply for the correct visa type for you, right at the start. That's another Brilliant Tip!
Here are the major visa category options:

Short-Stay Visa (Schengen Visa)
Long-Stay Visa (Visa de long séjour)
Student Visa
Work/Employee Visa
Family/Spouse Visa
Visitor Visa
Talent Passport (Passeport Talent)
Researcher Visa
Internship Visa
Entrepreneur/Business Visa

Each visa type has specific requirements and supporting documents and one of the most common reasons for an unsuccessful visa application is applying for the wrong type so it's a good idea to get this right. Very helpfully, the French government provides a wizard to help you make the right choice and you can find that by going to:
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/visa-wizard
However, you might still need some help if you don't easily fit into one of their pre-defined categories. Let's take a closer look at the visa options…
A. Short-Stay Visa (Schengen Visa)
Purpose: For tourism, business, or short visits up to 90 days. Note: U.S. citizens typically do not need this visa for visits under the 90-day limit.
B. Long-Stay Visa (Visa de long séjour)
Purpose: Required for stays exceeding 90 days. This category covers most relocations to France.
Types:

Student Visa: For individuals enrolled in French academic institutions
Work/Employee Visa: For those securing employment with a French employer.
Family/Spouse Visa: For joining family members or a spouse who is a resident or citizen of France.
Visitor Visa: For individuals who wish to reside in France without engaging in professional activities.

C. Talent Passport (Passeport Talent)
Purpose: Designed for highly skilled workers, professionals, and artists, this visa aims to boost France's economic attractiveness by attracting international talent.
Subcategories:
Salaried Employee – Highly Qualified: For professionals with a high salary or recognized qualifications.
Researcher: Tailored for academics and scientists engaged in research or teaching.
Entrepreneur/Business Investor: For those planning to start or invest in a business.
Unique Aspects: This visa typically requires proof of qualifications, work contracts, and sometimes a demonstration of economic impact.
More Info: International talents and economic attractiveness (https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/).
D. Researcher Visa

Purpose: Although often included under the Talent Passport, the researcher visa is specifically for individuals planning to conduct research or teach in French institutions.
Requirements: Proof of research funding, an invitation or contract from a French organization, and other academic credentials.

E. Internship Visa

Purpose: For students or recent graduates taking up internships in France.
Requirements: A formal internship offer and proof of enrollment from an educational institution.

F. Entrepreneur/Business Visa

Purpose: Targets individuals aiming to start or manage a business in France.
Often Combined With: Elements of the Talent Passport.
Requirements: A viable business plan, investment evidence, and sometimes additional financial documentation.Retirees…

Retirees…If you're planning on retiring in France you'll need to know that France doesn't offer a specific retirement visa but there are ways for retirees to establish long-term residence.
The most common route for U.S. retirees is the Long-Stay Visitor Visa, known as theVisa de long séjour valant titre de séjour visiteur or VLS-TS Visiteur which permits stays in France for up to one year and can be renewed annually. To qualify, you'll need to demonstrate sufficient financial means to support yourselves without employment in France, secure accommodation and you will have to obtain comprehensive health insurance.
The financial threshold is indexed or updated from time to time. Check the current Service-Public and France-Visas requirements immediately before applying.
The application process involves submitting documents such as a valid passport, proof of income (e.g., pension statements), proof of accommodation and a written commitment not to engage in any professional activity in France.
You need to apply for a VLS-TS Long-Stay Visa at the French embassy or consulate in your home country or you can start the process online by going to:
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en-US/web/france-visas
You should apply for whatever type of visa you want, relatively early, perhaps around one to three months before departure for France. Applications cannot be submitted more than six months before departure.
Documents required
Documents required for all long-stay visas include but are not limited to the following:

A passport (or other travel document) meeting both the following conditions:
Issued in the last 10 years.
Valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from French territory.

Long-stay visa application form (Cerfa no. 14571*05), duly completed, signed and dated.
Three standardized passport photos.
Depending on the type of visa you are applying for you may need to provide more documents not listed above.
Health Insurance
You will also need to demonstrate that you possess health insurance as part of the application procedure. Your health insurance should offer a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical costs and it will need to be valid throughout the entire Schengen area, not limited to just France.

It should cover the entire period of the visa, up to one year if applicable and must cover all medical and hospital expenses for which you may be liable during your stay in France. Failure to present proof of sufficient health insurance could lead to the denial of the visa application, as health insurance is essential to ensuring that applicants can address potential medical expenses during their time in France.
However, be aware that although it is absolutely mandatory that you have private health insurance for your first year, it is not cheap. When we arrived in France and Becky applied for residency back in January 2022, we paid around €3500 for both of us for one year's cover. I have heard of couples routinely paying €5000 a year and in some cases up to €10000. That is a bit extreme though. There are many factors involved like your age and medical history.
Meanwhile, back at your visa application...
Many standard long-stay visa applications have a €99-equivalent fee, but the amount depends on the category and can change. Be aware that the fee is not refundable if your application fails and make sure to check the France-Visas page for the United States immediately before applying.
After submitting your application and the supporting documentation from your home country you will be asked to attend an interview at the Consulate or Embassy in your country.
Assuming that goes well, you will be able to follow the progress of your application via the French Government website at:
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/track-your-application
This is a useful page but they won't actually tell you there if your visa will be issued.
Applications are generally processed within 15 days from the date of submission.
I would hope that your application is successful and that we can move on to the next bit of this lesson, which is about applying for residency. However, what if your long-stay visa application is refused? What then?
Yes, what then?
Well, if you are unfortunate enough to be knocked back by the visa people, not all is lost because you can still appeal the decision. It could be expensive to do this because you may need legal representation and guidance which is another reason why it is best to get this right the first time, before you are forced to shell out more Euros unnecessarily.
So, if your visa application has been refused here are the steps to make your appeal.
The first step is to appeal to the Commission de Recours contre les Décisions de Refus de Visa d’Entrée en France (CRRV) within 30 days of receiving the visa refusal notification. The appeal must include a copy of the refusal letter, the applicant's full contact information and any additional documents supporting the case. This submission can be made by mail to the CRRV.
If your appeal to the CRRV is unsuccessful, you can still appeal to the administrative court (Tribunal Administratif) in France. This court appeal allows you to contest the visa refusal or demand the issuance of the visa if you think it was illegally refused.
And, as I mentioned, it will be advisable to seek legal assistance to ensure that all procedural requirements are met and to strengthen your appeal. Let's hope you won't need to appeal though and that your visa application is successful first time. Even if it is though, you're not out of the woods yet. There's still more to do before you can actually use your shiny new visa. You've got to 'validate' it...
Visa Validation
Next, assuming you have obtained a Long-Stay Visa, you will need to validate it within three months of your arrival in France. To do that, visit the ANEF (Digital Administration of Foreigners in France) website at:

https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr/

…to start the validation process. If you don't already have an account, you will need to create one by providing your personal details and setting up a secure login.
Once logged in, select the option to validate your long-stay visa (VLS-TS) and then enter the following details:

The date you entered France.
Your residential address in France.
Your visa number and personal information as per your visa.
A valid email address for communication

Finally, pay the processing fee online using a credit card. The amount can vary depending on your specific visa category.

After submitting your information and payment, you should receive a confirmation email which will include a confirmation of your validated status and any additional steps you may need to follow. You should print and keep a copy of the validation confirmation for your records. It may be required in future for administrative purposes and as proof of your legal status in France, so don't lose it. Maybe print a few copies.

Language Test

Well, the good news is that French long-stay visa applicants are not currently required to take a language test as part of the initial application process for the visa itself (at the time of writing).

However, if you want to go on to obtain a multi-year residency permit, a Titre de Séjour Pluriannuelle after receiving your long-stay visa, a language test may be required.

According to changes in French immigration law which occurred on January 27, 2024, there are now stricter language requirements for multi-year residency permits. Applicants must demonstrate a certain level of French proficiency, typically at the A2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or CEFR for short.

The language test requirement takes place when applying for the multi-year residency permit, not during the initial VLS-TS visa application. This is a fluid situation however and more changes to the legislation are possible, so it is advisable to check the latest guidelines from official French immigration sources or consult with legal experts specializing in French immigration law to keep ahead of the game.

Applying for the French Residency Card, the Titre de Sejour

Once you have fulfilled the criteria we talked about above and your VLS-TS visa is correctly validated, it's time to apply for your residence card or Titre de Sejour as they call it round here.

You'll need to gather all the necessary documents together, including the following:

A completed application form
Your passport with visa
Proof of residence in France
Birth certificate
Proof of financial means
Proof of health insurance

Next, go to this French Government web page to start the process:

https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr/particuliers/#/sejour/triage-demandeur

If you don't already have an account, you will need to create one to access the application form. You will then need to fill out the online forms and upload the required documents.

When you've submitted your application online, you will also need to make an appointment to visit the prefecture or sub-prefecture closest to your residence in France in person, or the police headquarters if you live in Paris. You can book your appointment through the same online portal and you need to do this at least two months before the expiry of your long-stay visa.

And when you attend your appointment don't be surprised if they take your fingerprints and ask you to provide biometric data too. You'll also need to pay the application fee which, at the time of writing, is €350, payable online through the French government portal during the application process. And, as usual with applications of this sort, if your Titre de Séjour application is refused, the fee is non-refundable.

If you think this all sounds a bit complicated, spare a thought for Becky who had to apply the old fashioned way. The online portal is actually a fairly recent addition to the French Government website. When we arrived it didn't exist so Becky had to download loads of forms, print them, fill them out and then march them to our nearest sub-prefecture. She also had to book her interview appointment by lining up at their reception desk and of course, she had to request her date in her best French.

Now, sit back and wait. These things always take time in France where the wheels of officialdom move very slowly. The prefecture is supposed to review your application within four months but if you have no response within that time you can consider it an implicit refusal. You may have to contact them to find out what's happening and, if you need to, appeal the decision.

In practice the Titre de Sejour processing time is around six weeks but even when your application is approved there will still be another wait of several weeks while your physical plastic residency card is made and sent out to you. You will usually be issued a temporary paper version to tide you over until the proper card arrives in the post.

The whole process should normally take under three months from submitting the application to your residency card popping through your letterbox.

Now, while the above may sound straightforward, I can assure you that it isn't. Every inch of your application will be scrutinized to the Nth degree and if you have forgotten to include any of the documents or if you do not have the right kind of health insurance or if you have made some tiny mistake, your application is likely to be refused.

If you haven't already, please make sure to watch the video part of this lesson with Juliette Harancot. She is an expert on applications for both the Carte de Sejour residency card and also the Carte Vitale healthcare card which you will also need. We'll talk about that later.

Conclusion

So, applying for your initial long-stay visa and your subsequent residence permit are complex procedures and you absolutely have to get them right in every way to avoid being refused. You've got to get this bit right more than anything else because if you don't, you will not be coming to live in France and the rest of this course will be obsolete along with your hopes and dreams for a bright French future.

You can make your applications yourself without any help but if you think there's the slightest chance that you may not be able to put your application together correctly on your own, you should think about asking for help.

There are several organizations out there who will be able to help you with this to ensure you do get it right the first time. Some are immigration lawyers (très cher) and some, like hand-holders, are a bit less expensive. However, you are paying for their knowledge and expertise and if they are able to ensure that your applications are successful then it will be money well spent.

For something that's as important as this, I would suggest you don't go it alone. Before finding help from an expert online, please take a look at the interview I did with Juliette Harancot from French Connections HCB. She and her colleagues do this all day for a living so they know exactly how to fill out the forms to give your application the best chance of approval. Remember, this is possibly the most important thing you need to get right because if you fail and your application for residency is rejected, you may not be able to live in France past the end of your visa. Don't let that happen.

You can contact Juliette and her colleagues at French Connections HCB by clicking here.

Now, let's move on to the next lesson...

Obtaining your Visa and/or Residency Card