Type D long-stay visa
"visiteur" for France
French residence permit for
financially independent persons, including pensioners
We'll help you permanently establish
you and your family in France
financially independent persons, including pensioners
We'll help you permanently establish
you and your family in France
This visa (residence permit) allows the holder to stay in France permanently with the ability to extend the residence permit while in France without the right to work in France, neither under an employment contract or as an entrepreneur.
This type of residence permit is a great choice for financially secure pensioners wanting to spend time in France.
This type of residence permit is a great choice for financially secure pensioners wanting to spend time in France.
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ADVANTAGES
- simple, easy to prepare documentation
- no police background check required
- fast application processing
- allows permanent residence 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
- a permanent place of residence in France
- sufficient financial resources to cover expenses in France
- medical insurance for the term of the visa (residence permit)
- children under 18 must attend school in France.
Residence permit and French property purchases
In many countries, such as Spain, Portugal and Greece, a residence permit may be obtained by purchasing property above a certain value. In France, a permanent place of residence (which may include property the applicant owns) is a mandatory requirement when applying for most types of long-stay visas or residence permits. However, owning property in France is not grounds for obtaining a residence permit on its own – there are other requirements such as sufficient financial resources.
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Main requirements for applicants of the long-stay visa "visiteur" to France:
- 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) establishes that for the purposes of applying for this type of visa, financial resources must not be lower than the current French minimum wage (€1269,03 per month net as at 1 January 2022).
However, it should be noted that even if you prove you have sufficient financial resources, the French consulate or prefecture in France has no obligation to issue the corresponding visa or residence permit – they have the right to issue a visa or permit, or to refuse issuance. The final decision will depend on the general impression made by your dossier and your reasons for moving to France.
However, it should be noted that even if you prove you have sufficient financial resources, the French consulate or prefecture in France has no obligation to issue the corresponding visa or residence permit – they have the right to issue a visa or permit, or to refuse issuance. The final decision will depend on the general impression made by 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 insurance 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.
The appropriate insurance can be obtained using an insurance broker by clicking the button below.
- 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.
How much do our services cost?
If you need assistance we offer for you to book a 30-minutes verbal consultation in which we'll examine your situation, answer your questions and come up with an action plan.
The cost of the consultation is 150 euros TVA inclusive.
If you are interested please fill the questionnaire. After receiving your request we'll send you an invoice to pay using your chosen method of payment. We'll propose time slots for the consultation once payment is received.
We provide consultations by phone, Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet.
The cost of the consultation is 150 euros TVA inclusive.
If you are interested please fill the questionnaire. After receiving your request we'll send you an invoice to pay using your chosen method of payment. We'll propose time slots for the consultation once payment is received.
We provide consultations by phone, Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet.
- After the consultation you will know:
- major requirements to ensure a positive decision in your situation
- how we can help you
- action plan for your situation
- estimated processing time of you case
- our fees and other expenses for the entire procedure
| Book your consultation today |
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:
1) Applying to the French consulate in the country of citizenship or permanent residence for a Type D long-stay visa
2) Applying to your local prefecture in France for a residence permit
3) Extending a "visiteur" residence permit in France
1) Applying to the French consulate in the country of citizenship or permanent residence for a Type D long-stay visa
2) Applying to your local prefecture in France for a residence permit
3) Extending a "visiteur" residence permit in France
1. Applying to a French consulate for a Type D long-stay visa
According to the rules established by the European Union and French law, if you intend to live in France for more than 90 days out of a 180-day period, you must first apply to the French consulate in your country of citizenship or permanent residence. The applicant must confirm this with documents when applying for a long-stay national Type D visa.
There are exceptions to the obligation to obtain a Type D visa from the consulate for spouses and close relatives of citizens of France and the European Union, who can, in theory, request a French resident permit without first obtaining a Type D visa. However this procedure may have a long time duration and is unpredictable – returning to your country of permanent residence and obtaining a Type D entry visa may be significantly faster and cheaper. If this question does come up, we can analyse your situation and advise you on the best course of action for your specific circumstances.
In the event of a positive decision, the consulate will issue you a "visiteur" visa for the term you requested. By law, the visa may be issued for a term of 3 to 12 months, but in most cases the application is for the maximum 12-month term.
The visa must be validated within three months of entering France. This requires completing an online declaration and paying an official fee of €200. If this procedure is not followed, the visa will be considered invalid and a new visa from the consulate will be needed to continue to reside in France.
Based on the online application made when validating the visa, adults will be invited for a medical exam, which is mandatory. Without the results of the exam you will not be able to extend your residence and receive a two-year residence permit.
In the first year in France, you will have a visa inserted in your passport. The D "visiteur" visa is in the VLS-TS (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour) category and is equivalent to a residence permit card for the first year of residence in France. If you extend your stay in France with 'visiteur' status, a plastic residence permit card (carte de séjour) will be issued to you for the second and the later years. For 'visiteur' status, this card is issued for 12 months and can be extended annually.
There are exceptions to the obligation to obtain a Type D visa from the consulate for spouses and close relatives of citizens of France and the European Union, who can, in theory, request a French resident permit without first obtaining a Type D visa. However this procedure may have a long time duration and is unpredictable – returning to your country of permanent residence and obtaining a Type D entry visa may be significantly faster and cheaper. If this question does come up, we can analyse your situation and advise you on the best course of action for your specific circumstances.
In the event of a positive decision, the consulate will issue you a "visiteur" visa for the term you requested. By law, the visa may be issued for a term of 3 to 12 months, but in most cases the application is for the maximum 12-month term.
The visa must be validated within three months of entering France. This requires completing an online declaration and paying an official fee of €200. If this procedure is not followed, the visa will be considered invalid and a new visa from the consulate will be needed to continue to reside in France.
Based on the online application made when validating the visa, adults will be invited for a medical exam, which is mandatory. Without the results of the exam you will not be able to extend your residence and receive a two-year residence permit.
In the first year in France, you will have a visa inserted in your passport. The D "visiteur" visa is in the VLS-TS (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour) category and is equivalent to a residence permit card for the first year of residence in France. If you extend your stay in France with 'visiteur' status, a plastic residence permit card (carte de séjour) will be issued to you for the second and the later years. For 'visiteur' status, this card is issued for 12 months and can be extended annually.
2. Application for a residence permit card at the local prefecture in France
If you are already permanently resident in France by some other status (for example, student status) and have either a Type D long-stay visa or a residence permit, then you need to apply to the prefecture of the department in which you are residing in France for your residence permit.
However, you should note that certain types of Type D long-stay visas (e.g., long séjour temporaire, student visas valid for less than 12 months, and vacances-travail visas in many cases) do not allow a change of status while in France, and in this case you will need to return to your country of citizenship or permanent residence and apply to the French consulate for a Type D long-stay visa from that country.
In the event of a positive decision, you will be issued with a residence permit card (carte de séjour) "visiteur" for a 12-month term. A processing fee of €225 is charged for issuance of the card.
3. Extending a "visiteur" residence permit in France
Extending a residence permit card at the prefecture in France does not typically have minimum requirements for residence in France during the year or French tax residence. This is an advantage of the French "visiteur" visa over similar programs in Italy or Spain, for instance, which do have such requirements.
An application for extension of the visa (receipt of a residence permit card) can be filed during the last two months of the previous visa's validity.
French prefectures currently have different procedures for filing this application:
Resident permit card processing takes several months, so we advise applying to the prefecture as early as possible to avoid situations in which your current visa or residence permit card has expired and a new one has yet to be issued. For citizens of countries who require a visa in France, this may prevent you leaving France, as you would be able to leave, but returning to France would mean applying to the consulate for a new visa.
An application for extension of the visa (receipt of a residence permit card) can be filed during the last two months of the previous visa's validity.
French prefectures currently have different procedures for filing this application:
- more and more prefectures accept documents online
- in some prefectures, the documents must be filed by post
- some prefectures accept the documents in person, which requires booking an appointment in advance (often several months ahead of the appointment, we recommend checking the requirements of your local prefecture well beforehand).
Resident permit card processing takes several months, so we advise applying to the prefecture as early as possible to avoid situations in which your current visa or residence permit card has expired and a new one has yet to be issued. For citizens of countries who require a visa in France, this may prevent you leaving France, as you would be able to leave, but returning to France would mean applying to the consulate for a new visa.
The residence permit extension process currently has several stages:
1
Filing the residence permit extension documents by post, online, or in person
2
Issuance of the "récépissé de demande de titre de séjour". If you file the document in person, you will normally be issued the "récépissé" immediately. If you file the documents by post or online, the "récépissé" will be sent by post or you will be given an appointment at the prefecture. There you will need to show the original documents, or in certain cases make a separate online request for a "récépissé" – various French prefectures have their own procedures, which frequently change.
3
Fingerprinting and ID verification. This is often done when issuing the "récépissé", if the "récépissé" is issued in person.
If you have previously been fingerprinted in France, this stage does not apply.
If you have previously been fingerprinted in France, this stage does not apply.
4
Delivery of your residence permit card (carte de séjour). You will be notified by text (to the telephone number you indicated in the application). Once you have received the text, you will usually need to make an appointment with the prefecture to collect the card. At the appointment you will pay the fee and show your passport. If you have been waiting for a long time and have not yet received the text, you can make an inquiry with the prefecture as to 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
acquiring a car
Assistance with obtaining a carte vitale
(social security number)
(social security number)
Assistance with opening a bank account in France
Where are we based?
Our offices are in Lyon and on the Cote d'Azure (French Riviera), and we do a significant part of our work remotely, communicating with our clients via email and other means.
Personal attendance is normally not required when applying for a visa through a French consulate.
In France, we can provide in-person support in any French department and in Corsica.
How much do our services cost?
If you need assistance we offer for you to book a 30-minutes verbal consultation in which we'll examine your situation, answer your questions and come up with an action plan.
The cost of the consultation is 150 euros TVA inclusive.
If you are interested please fill the questionnaire. After receiving your request we'll send you an invoice to pay using your chosen method of payment. We'll propose time slots for the consultation once payment is received.
We provide consultations by phone, Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet.
The cost of the consultation is 150 euros TVA inclusive.
If you are interested please fill the questionnaire. After receiving your request we'll send you an invoice to pay using your chosen method of payment. We'll propose time slots for the consultation once payment is received.
We provide consultations by phone, Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet.
- After the consultation you will know:
- major requirements to ensure a positive decision in your situation
- how we can help you
- action plan for your situation
- estimated processing time of you case
- our fees and other expenses for the entire procedure
| Book your consultation today |
Stages of work with the client
Initial consultation
Tailored commercial offer with a breakdown of the cost of our services and other expenses (medical insurance, official visa fees, legalisation and translation of documents)
Confirmation of the agreement
Detailed list of documents and requirements, consultation on the procedure and process for gathering documents
Filing of the document package
with the consulate or prefecture
with the consulate or prefecture
Receiving the long-stay D 'visiteur' visa (when filing the documents with the French consulate) or receiving a residence permit card (when filing documents with the local prefecture in France).
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.
How to use our services
First, sign up for the initial 30-minute consultation, during which we will analyse your situation, provide our advice, and answer your questions.
After receiving your request for a consultation, we will send you an invoice, and after receiving payment we will set the time and date via preferred means of communication.
The consultation can be conducted via telephone, Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet. We request you fill out a questionnaire on your situation and plans for France before the consultation.
After receiving your request for a consultation, we will send you an invoice, and after receiving payment we will set the time and date via preferred means of communication.
The consultation can be conducted via telephone, Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet. We request you fill out a questionnaire on your situation and plans for France before the consultation.
| Book your consultation today |
ZLOKAZOV AND COMPANY
French Riviera - Côte d'Azur
930, Route Des Dolines, 06560 Valbonne, France
Lyon
Gare des Brotteaux, 15, place Jules Ferry, 69006 Lyon, France
We operate Monday through Friday from 08:00 to 16:30 Paris time (CET, CEST).
Please send us a message to arrange a consultation.
In order to save both your time and ours, we kindly ask you to make your first request exclusively by filling out this form describing your situation - our specialists will contact you via the method and time most convenient for you and in the language of your choice (English, French, Russian).
We meet with clients online and in our offices by appointment only.
© 2007-2024 ZLOKAZOV AND COMPANY
930, Route Des Dolines, 06560 Valbonne, France
Lyon
Gare des Brotteaux, 15, place Jules Ferry, 69006 Lyon, France
We operate Monday through Friday from 08:00 to 16:30 Paris time (CET, CEST).
Please send us a message to arrange a consultation.
In order to save both your time and ours, we kindly ask you to make your first request exclusively by filling out this form describing your situation - our specialists will contact you via the method and time most convenient for you and in the language of your choice (English, French, Russian).
We meet with clients online and in our offices by appointment only.
© 2007-2024 ZLOKAZOV AND COMPANY
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