Obtaining a Visa Visiteur (Carte de sejour temporaire – Visiteur) in France

A French Visitor’s Visa is an authorization document for long-term stay in the country, equivalent to a residence permit. While a regular long-term visa type D requires the applicant to apply for a residence permit from the prefecture upon arrival, this one only requires an online confirmation. At the end of the visa period (2-4 months), the applicant can obtain a Carte de sejour temporaire, which allows him/her to stay in France.

The major difference of the document marked “Visiteur” is that the holder is not allowed to work or carry out other income-generating activities. This type of visa is opened mainly for financially independent persons who have a stable security and can afford a long stay in France for tourist or private purposes.

Our specialists are ready to help you choose the optimal program of moving to France – obtaining a residence permit through business registration, financial independence or education, all of which do not require you to speak French.

Which rights are granted by the Carte de sejour temporaire — Visiteur

The holder of a Visa Visiteur for France enjoys the following benefits:

• No restrictions on the number of entries into and exits from the country’s territory;
• Visa-free travel within the EU and the Schengen area with the right to stay up to 90 days out of 180;
• The possibility of permanent renewal of the residence permit any number of times, while maintaining the conditions under which it was issued;
• No economic or business investment requirements for immigration;
• Access to quality European medicine;
• The right to educate children in local schools and universities;
• The possibility of obtaining permanent residence or French citizenship after 5 years.

The visitor’s visa allows the applicant to enjoy all the privileges of a resident. The only exception is that the applicant may not work under an employment contract, open a business or have any other source of income in France.

Who is eligible to apply for a national Visiteur visa?

Requirements for applicants for the (current year) Visitor’s Card and subsequent Carte de sejour temporaire:

• A commitment not to take up employment in France. The applicant must sign the relevant document and strictly comply with this condition in order to remain in the country legally and to renew the permit.
• Sufficient means of subsistence for the duration of the stay in the French Republic. A minimum of 1,353.07 EUR per month per person is required, with the amount confirmed for one year in advance.
• Proof of source of funds. These may be the applicant’s own resources (pension, income from property, business abroad) or those of family members, confirmed by appropriate documents, except for social benefits for children.
• Health insurance coverage during the stay. The policy must cover health care for the duration of the intended stay.
• Confirmed residence in France. The applicant must have rented or owned accommodation with a registered address.

Persons in the following categories may apply for a type D visitor visa to France and a residence permit:

• Financially independent foreigners who have a stable source of income in their home country or abroad, or financial support from their family, and who wish to reside in the Republic for personal reasons;
• Retired persons who have sufficient social security benefits to cover their needs while in France or other sources of income (e.g. rental property, dividends);
• Dependent parents of children residing legally in the country;
• Partners of French citizens (provided they have lived together for at least 1 year);
• Persons residing in the Republic for religious purposes.

With a French residence permit, you will be able to:

• Live in one of Europe’s best countries;
• Get residency for the whole family;
• Travel visa-free in Europe;
• Open accounts with European banks.

Documents to open a French visitor’s card

The dossier for submission to the authorized body and successful processing of a French visa marked “VLS-TS” includes:

• Passport with a validity of at least 3 months from the date of intended stay in the country;
• Two photographs taken not earlier than 6 months prior to submission;
• Completed application form;
• Health insurance for the planned period of stay;
• Documents confirming the purpose of the move (confirmation of willingness not to engage in profit-making activities and socio-economic status of the applicant);
• Bank statement, income statement, and other proof of sufficient financial support;
• Rental agreement, title deed or other document showing that the applicant has a place of residence in the country.

Upon arrival in France, the holder of a VLS-TS visa may obtain a plastic residence permit card within 2-4 months before the expiration of the visa by presenting the following documents:

• Valid long-term resident visa. To be presented if the applicant does not hold an EU long-term resident card issued by another member state.
• Foreign international passport. The authorized commission will require all pages with personal data, marital status, available visas and stamps, and in case of absence, other supporting documents such as consular certificates.
• Birth certificate. A complete copy with all recent entries is required.
• Proof of residence in France. The certificate must be issued no earlier than 6 months prior to the date of submission.
• Three photographs. If submitted electronically, a photo code will be provided after the photograph is taken in an accredited studio.
• Medical certificate. This document must be issued by the French Directorate of Immigration and Integration.
• Proof of funds. Bank certificates, guarantees from solvent persons proving an annual income of at least 16,236.85 EUR (if the funds are received as support from a third party, his/her identity card is also required).
• Declaration of willingness not to take up employment in France. Personally signed by hand under oath.
• Health insurance. Must cover basic medical services for the duration of the intended stay in France.
• Fees and stamp duty. To be submitted with the completed residence permit.

How to obtain a French visitor’s visa?

1. Complete an electronic application.
   The applicant needs to create an account on the official visa portal, then fill out the online application form. The applicant must indicate his/her nationality, the type of entry permit requested, the travel document details, as well as other information about him/herself and the purpose of the move. At each step, the form provides detailed field descriptions to help you complete the form correctly. At the end of the process, a completed application form will be generated and should be downloaded and printed.
2. Make an appointment to visit the authorized facility.
   After registering online, the foreigner must present the documents in person at the competent institution. These are consulates and embassies of France in the country of the applicant’s regular stay, other authorized representations of foreign states, official visa centers. In Ukraine, the Embassy of France is located in Kyiv at Reytarska Street, 39, in Minsk at Svobody Square, 11. In Moscow you can apply at the Consulate General at Kazansky pereulok, 10. The time of the visit is reserved according to the rules of a particular state body (usually by phone).
3. Submit an application with a package of documents.
   On the appointed date and time, the applicant must go to the address to submit a dossier, provide ID, and take biometric data, including a photograph and 10 fingerprints (only for persons over 12 years of age). If the applicant has applied for a visa no earlier than 59 weeks before the date of the visit and his/her biometric data are stored in the system, the procedure may be omitted.
4. Track the progress.
   The foreigner has the opportunity to monitor the processing of his application online. For more detailed information on this issue and to track the status of the procedure, depending on the way and place of submitting the documents, you can visit the government website.
5. Obtaining the document.
   The application is usually reviewed within 15 days, but in some cases the period can be extended up to 45 days. When the visa is ready, the foreigner will be notified by e-mail or phone. The passport with the authorization to enter France must be received at the same place where the documents were submitted, sometimes sending it by mail can be arranged.

2-4 months prior to the expiration of the entry permit, the applicant can apply online for a plastic residence permit card on the website of the French Office for Immigration and Integration. Once the application is approved, the applicant will be invited to the prefecture to obtain a residence permit. A fee of 225 EUR is charged for processing the application and issuing the plastic card. If the application is submitted in the country of origin, a fee of 99 EUR must be paid separately for the visa.

Can a visitor’s card be issued after refusal?

If the application for an entry permit is rejected, the applicant may appeal within two months. This request is processed by a special Commission for the Issuance of Visas (CRRV), and the migrant must provide evidence of the biased decision of the authorized body. One should consider that if the appeal is unsuccessful, the chances of obtaining a visa again in the future are reduced. Therefore, it is better for the applicant to reapply for the entry permit after some time, taking into account the previous shortcomings. In the case of refusal of a residence permit, the applicant has 2 months from the day of the decision to appeal and the opportunity to resubmit the application.

Typically, the most common reasons for refusal are incorrectly completed documents or incomplete files, failure of the applicant to meet the requirements for obtaining a visa, facts in his/her biography of violation of French migration policy or deportation. To avoid a negative decision, you should have a thorough understanding of the current legislative norms and conditions for the correct preparation of documents.