Residency In France

As is the case with most EU countries, gaining permanent residency status in France is a matter of proving that you’ll be able to pay the bills and not burden society—financially or criminally.

How long can you stay in France before making things official? Visitors can be in the country for up to three months; if you plan to stay longer, secure a long-stay visa before departing. Your visa must be renewed annually until you gain either permanent residency or citizenship.

Longer than 90 days, you’ll need to request permission to stay from the French consulate before leaving your home country.

There are several types of long-stay (type D) visas. Many expats go for the VLS-TS—Visa De Long Séjour Valant Titre De Séjour, or Long-Stay Visa Valid As A Residence Permit. This allows you to enter and stay in the country for four months to a year. You’ll need to register with the French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) to validate it within three months of arrival.

To do this, you’ll have to fill out a form that was provided to you by the consulate and mail it to the OFII office nearest you (along with copies of your passport ID pages and any pages used to enter the country). Once received, your application will be registered and you’ll be given an appointment date to be given a medical checkup and be interviewed by OFII.

At this appointment you must bring your passport, proof of domicile, a photo ID, tax stamps, and the medical certificate if done in advance. To renew the visa, you must apply for an extension with local authorities (préfecture) in two months preceding expiry.

Many retired expats go for the Visa “Carte De Séjour À Solliciter Dans Les 2 Mois Suivant L’arrivée” (or the Residency Permit To Be Requested Within 2 Months Of Arrival Visa). This allows you to enter the country and request a residency permit at the préfecture within two months of arriving. It allows you to request a stay of one year, multiple years, or 10 years once you’re in country.

Most European countries grant residency to foreigners who can prove they will be able to support themselves. The minimum wage (which varies according to region) can be taken as a guideline for this amount, but generally, it’s easy to get a one-year, long stay visa if you can prove sufficient funds and assets, including health insurance to US$40,000.

If you want to stay longer than one year, you must apply to extend your visa with the local authorities in France. Again, you will have to prove that you can support yourself. Assuming that all progresses smoothly, you will be given a permanent resident card, the Carte de Séjour.

For more details on the residency process in France, go here.