Type D long-stay visa "visiteur" for France
Settle in France without working — expert assistance with the long-stay “visiteur” visa for retirees and financially independent individuals
Update: 06, July, 2026
Update: 06, July, 2026
Type D long-stay visa "visiteur" for France
Settle in France without working — expert assistance with the long-stay “visiteur” visa for retirees and financially independent individuals
Update: 06, July, 2026
Update: 06, July, 2026
This visa (temporary residence permit) allows the holder to stay in France for the entire year and offers the option to extend the residence permit while in France. However, it does not grant the right to work, whether under an employment contract or as an entrepreneur.
This type of residence permit is an excellent choice for financially secure pensioners looking to spend time in France
Request a consultation This type of residence permit is an excellent choice for financially secure pensioners looking to spend time in France
- Advantages
- Simple, easy to prepare documentation
- No police background check required
- Fast application processing
- Allows for a year-long stay in France
- No obligations for a minimum period of residence in France or for filing French tax returns
- Extension and receipt of 'carte de séjour' possible while in France
- Option to change status and obtain residence card or citizenship after living in France for 5 years
- Possibility to obtain social insurance number and use French state medical services
- No French or English language requirements
- Freedom of movement within the Schengen zone, as well as several European Union countries that are not in the Schengen Agreement.
- Disadvantages
- Does not permit employment or entrepreneurial activities in France
- Maximum visa or residence permit term – 12 months, annual renewal required
- Renewal requires personal attendance at the prefecture in France.
- Key requirements
- Accommodation in France for the entire duration of your intended stay
- Sufficient financial resources to cover your expenses in France
- Medical insurance for the duration of the visa (residence permit)
- Children under 18 must be enrolled in a public or private school in France
Residence permit and French property purchases
In some countries, a residence permit can be obtained by purchasing property above a certain value. In France, however, having rented or owned accommodation is a mandatory requirement when applying for most types of long-stay visa or residence permit. It's important to note that owning property in France does not, on its own, qualify you for a residence permit; you must also meet other requirements, such as demonstrating sufficient financial resources.
Main requirements for applicants of the long-stay visa "visiteur" to France:
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Sufficient financial resources to cover their expenses in France:
- Regular source of income (such as, income from property rental or business interests)
- Or sufficient savings
- Or a regular source of income and savings.
The Code of Entry and Residence of Foreigners and Right of Asylum (Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile - CESEDA) stipulates that, for this type of visa application, financial resources must not be lower than the current French minimum wage (€1,477.94 net per month as of June 1, 2026).
However, it is important to note that even if you can demonstrate sufficient financial resources, the French consulate or prefecture is not obligated to issue the corresponding visa or residence permit. They retain the right to approve or deny the application based on the overall impression of your dossier and your reasons for moving to France. -
Medical insurance for persons permanently resident in France
The insurance should meet the minimum requirements established by the code of social security in France. Many insurance companies offer tourist insurance providing coverage for 90 days out of a 180-day period. Consulates do not typically accept this kind of insurance when applying for a "visiteur" visa – insurance coverage for the entire period you will be in France, based on the duration of the requested visa, is required.
Below please find links to the website of insurance companies where you can obtain policies which fit the requirements for the visa or temporary residence permit card: -
Proof of permanent address in France:
- Owned
- Long-term lease (contract for over 12 months complying with French Law 89-462 dated 6 July 1989 or the French Civil Code)
- Residence free of charge with acquaintances, relatives, or friends on an 'attestation d'hébergement' basis.
We can assist you with acquiring a home, either to rent or to own, and with correctly completing the necessary documents to show you have a place to live in accordance with the requirements of the French consulate or prefecture. -
Proof that children are enrolled in a French school
If you are moving to France with children under 18, you will need to provide evidence that they have been enrolled in a French school when filing the visa application.
Type D visa (residence) "Visiteur" application procedure
Depending on whether you have an existing Type D long-stay visa or French residence permit, there are three potential ways to obtain or renew "visiteur" status:
According to the regulations established by the European Union and French law, if you plan to live in France for more than 90 days within a 180-day period, you must first apply for a long-stay national Type D visa at the French consulate in your country of citizenship or in the country where you hold a valid residence permit. When applying, you must provide documentation to confirm your intent.
There are exceptions to the requirement of obtaining a Type D visa from the consulate for spouses and close relatives of French and EU citizens. They may, in theory, apply for a French residence permit without first securing a Type D visa. However, this process can be lengthy and unpredictable. In many cases, returning to your country of permanent residence to obtain a Type D visa may be significantly faster and more cost-effective. If this situation arises, we can assess your circumstances and advise you on the best course of action.
Upon a positive decision, the consulate will issue you a "visiteur" visa for the duration you requested. By law, the visa can be granted for a term of 3 to 12 months, with most applicants requesting the maximum 12-month period.
The visa must be validated within three months of your arrival in France. This involves completing an online declaration and paying an official fee of €250. Failure to complete this procedure will render the visa invalid, necessitating a new visa from the consulate to continue residing in France.
As part of the online application process for visa validation, adults will be required to undergo a mandatory medical examination. You may not be able to extend your residence or receive a residence permit card for the next year without the exam results.
During your first year in France, your visa will be affixed to your passport. The D "visiteur" visa falls under the VLS-TS (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour) category, which is equivalent to a residence permit for your first year in France. If you extend your stay under "visiteur" status, you will receive a plastic residence permit card (carte de séjour) for the second and subsequent years. This card is issued for 12 months and must be renewed annually.
There are exceptions to the requirement of obtaining a Type D visa from the consulate for spouses and close relatives of French and EU citizens. They may, in theory, apply for a French residence permit without first securing a Type D visa. However, this process can be lengthy and unpredictable. In many cases, returning to your country of permanent residence to obtain a Type D visa may be significantly faster and more cost-effective. If this situation arises, we can assess your circumstances and advise you on the best course of action.
Upon a positive decision, the consulate will issue you a "visiteur" visa for the duration you requested. By law, the visa can be granted for a term of 3 to 12 months, with most applicants requesting the maximum 12-month period.
The visa must be validated within three months of your arrival in France. This involves completing an online declaration and paying an official fee of €250. Failure to complete this procedure will render the visa invalid, necessitating a new visa from the consulate to continue residing in France.
As part of the online application process for visa validation, adults will be required to undergo a mandatory medical examination. You may not be able to extend your residence or receive a residence permit card for the next year without the exam results.
During your first year in France, your visa will be affixed to your passport. The D "visiteur" visa falls under the VLS-TS (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour) category, which is equivalent to a residence permit for your first year in France. If you extend your stay under "visiteur" status, you will receive a plastic residence permit card (carte de séjour) for the second and subsequent years. This card is issued for 12 months and must be renewed annually.
If you already hold a temporary residence permit in France based on a French Type D long-stay visa (for example, under student status), you must apply for a change of status through the ANEF website of the French Ministry of the Interior. Your request will be processed by the prefecture in your place of residence in France.
However, please note that certain types of Type D long-stay visas (such as long séjour temporaire, some student visas, and vacances-travail visas) typically do not allow for a change of status while in France. In such cases, you will need to return to your country of citizenship or the country where you hold a valid residence permit to apply for a Type D long-stay visa at the French consulate.
If your application is approved, you will receive a residence permit card (carte de séjour) "visiteur" for a term of 12 months. A processing fee of €250 is charged for the issuance of this card.
However, please note that certain types of Type D long-stay visas (such as long séjour temporaire, some student visas, and vacances-travail visas) typically do not allow for a change of status while in France. In such cases, you will need to return to your country of citizenship or the country where you hold a valid residence permit to apply for a Type D long-stay visa at the French consulate.
If your application is approved, you will receive a residence permit card (carte de séjour) "visiteur" for a term of 12 months. A processing fee of €250 is charged for the issuance of this card.
Renewing a "visiteur" residence permit card typically does not have minimum residency requirements in France during the year, nor does it require you to establish French tax residency. This is a notable advantage of the French "visiteur" visa compared to similar programs in Italy or Spain, which do have such requirements.
The renewal application must be submitted through the ANEF website of the French Ministry of the Interior between four and two months before the expiration date of your long-stay visa or current temporary residence permit card (carte de séjour).
Renewal requests are processed by the prefecture in the department where you have your home address in France.
Processing times for residence permit cards can vary significantly, ranging from several months to over a year in some departments. Therefore, we advise applying to the prefecture as early as possible to avoid situations where your current visa or residence permit card expires before a new one is issued. For citizens of countries that require a visa to enter France, this delay may prevent you from re-entering France, as you would need to apply to the consulate for a new visa.
The renewal application must be submitted through the ANEF website of the French Ministry of the Interior between four and two months before the expiration date of your long-stay visa or current temporary residence permit card (carte de séjour).
Renewal requests are processed by the prefecture in the department where you have your home address in France.
Processing times for residence permit cards can vary significantly, ranging from several months to over a year in some departments. Therefore, we advise applying to the prefecture as early as possible to avoid situations where your current visa or residence permit card expires before a new one is issued. For citizens of countries that require a visa to enter France, this delay may prevent you from re-entering France, as you would need to apply to the consulate for a new visa.
The residence permit extension process currently consists of several stages:
After submitting your application on the ANEF website, you will receive an official confirmation in the form of a PDF file (Confirmation de dépôt).
While processing your application, the agent at the local prefecture may request additional documents or information. In some cases, applicants may be invited to visit the prefecture for fingerprinting and ID verification.
When your request is approved, you will receive a document called "attestation de décision favorable," which will serve as a temporary replacement for your residence card until the card is issued. You can travel across the Schengen area by presenting your passport, your previous temporary residence permit card (or long-stay visa), and a printed copy of the decision.
Delivery of Your Residence Permit Card (Carte de Séjour)
You will be notified by text message (to the phone number you provided in your application) when your residence permit card is ready. After receiving this notification, you will typically need to make an appointment with the prefecture to collect your card. Before the appointment, you will need to pay the official fee of €250.
If you have been waiting for an extended period and have not yet received the notification, you can inquire with the prefecture about the status of your card.
If you have been waiting for an extended period and have not yet received the notification, you can inquire with the prefecture about the status of your card.
Our main French visa and French residence permit services:
- Assistance with preparing documents and filing visa applications in France, French consulates, and visa centres around the world. We work with our clients in French, English, and Russian
- Appealing visa refusals through administrative or judicial proceedings, representing our clients in French courts
- Assistance with visa validation, medical exams, receiving residence permit cards in France
- Assistance with changing status in France (for example, from a visitor to a student or entrepreneur)
- Providing support with prefectures or other authorities in France, continental France, and Corsica
- Assistance in exchanging driving licenses,
acquiring a car - Assistance with obtaining a carte vitale
(social security number) - Assistance with opening a bank account in France
Stages of work with the client
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Your enquiry and initial review
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Tailored offer, with a breakdown of our fees and other costs (insurance, official fees, legalisation and translation)
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Agreement
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Document list and step-by-step guidance
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Filing with the consulate or prefecture
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You receive your ‘visiteur’ visa or residence card
At the visa receipt stage, you will normally only require the correct document package – our in-person support is not required. When filing the documents with the visa centre or French consulate, the visa centre or consulate may have technical queries concerning the documents or your plans in France, but in general French consulates do not conduct the detailed interviews with visa applicants that some other countries do. The decision to issue or deny the visa is based solely on the documents you submit.
The visa issuance procedure and formal visa requirements are identical for all countries, but it is worth noting that the officially published lists of documents required for a visa are the necessary minimum, but not an exhaustive list of everything required a positive result. Based on our experience, we can evaluate the visa applicant's situation and advise on improvements to the dossier if necessary.
The visa issuance procedure and formal visa requirements are identical for all countries, but it is worth noting that the officially published lists of documents required for a visa are the necessary minimum, but not an exhaustive list of everything required a positive result. Based on our experience, we can evaluate the visa applicant's situation and advise on improvements to the dossier if necessary.
Ready to plan your move to France?
Tell us about your situation using our enquiry form and we’ll review it personally and reply within 24 hours — with a tailored plan and a clear quote. There’s no charge to enquire.
Once we’ve reviewed your enquiry, you’ll have clarity on:
Once we’ve reviewed your enquiry, you’ll have clarity on:
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Whether you meet the requirements for the long-stay “visiteur” visa
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How we can help, and exactly what we’ll handle for you
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A step-by-step action plan for your application
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The realistic timeline for your case
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A clear quote for our work, with no surprises
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The transmission or receipt of information through this website, in part or in whole, or communication with ZLOKAZOV AND COMPANY (SAS) via the Internet or email does not establish an attorney-client relationship between you and us. You should not send any confidential information to us in response to this website. Such submissions will not create an attorney-client relationship, and any information disclosed will not be treated as privileged or confidential unless we have agreed to represent you as legal counsel, and a written engagement agreement has been signed with ZLOKAZOV AND COMPANY (SAS).
The materials provided on this website may not reflect the most current legal developments. The content and interpretation of laws discussed herein are subject to change. We disclaim all liability for actions taken or not taken based on the content of this website to the fullest extent permitted by law. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of the information on this website without seeking professional legal counsel.
Social Media Channels Disclaimer
The media content posted on our social media channels and/or website is intended to provide a general overview and discussion of the topics addressed. It does not establish an attorney-client relationship and should not be relied upon as a substitute for seeking legal advice regarding your specific situation.
ZLOKAZOV AND COMPANY (SAS) assumes no responsibility for actions taken or not taken based on the information provided in these publications. All videos, podcasts, and other media produced and published by ZLOKAZOV AND COMPANY (SAS) are copyrighted and all rights are reserved.