France long-stay visa (VLS-TS) from the US
To stay in France for more than 90 days, a US citizen needs a long-stay visa obtained before leaving. France-Visas issues it for three months to a year, and staying beyond that takes a residence permit from the préfecture.
The application goes through France-Visas and a TLScontact center, not through a consulate.
The two kinds of long-stay visa
The most common is the VLS-TS, a long-stay visa that is also a residence permit for up to a year.
It spares you the préfecture during that year, but it must be validated online within three months of arrival, on the portal France-Visas points to, paying the residence permit tax by card or with an electronic stamp.
The other kind carries the words “carte de séjour à solliciter dans les 2 mois”: within two months of arrival you go in person to the préfecture of your place of residence with the original documents. Some préfectures book those appointments online.
Which category fits you
A retiree or anyone settling in France without working applies as a visitor, proving their situation, their resources and their accommodation.
A student first needs to be accepted by an institution; for studies over three months, the visa is a VLS-TS, and France-Visas sets the student visa fee at 50 euros in countries using the Études en France procedure and 99 euros elsewhere.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| When you need it | Any stay over 90 days |
| Length of the visa | 3 months to 1 year |
| VLS-TS validation | Online, within 3 months of arrival |
| Other type of visa | Residence permit at the préfecture within 2 months |
| Student visa fee | 50 euros (Études en France countries) or 99 euros |
- The France-Visas application for the right long-stay category
- Proof of resources and of accommodation in France
- For students: acceptance by a French institution
- After arrival: a payment card to validate the VLS-TS online
Work, family and talent categories have their own pages on France-Visas, and the visa assistant lists the documents for each. A temporary long-stay visa, the VLS-T, exists for people certain not to stay beyond its validity.
Moving around Europe
During its validity, a French long-stay visa works like a Schengen visa: you can visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180. Apply as early as France-Visas allows, up to six months ahead, because appointment and processing times lengthen in busy seasons.
After you arrive
With a VLS-TS, the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) can call you in for further formalities, a medical visit or the signature of a republican integration contract. A VLS-TS that is not validated within three months leaves you without regular status in France.
When the visa runs out and you want to stay, you apply to the préfecture for a residence permit. Some categories, the Talent Passport in particular, can lead directly to a multi-year permit. A visitor commits not to work in France during the stay.
Three months after landing, the VLS-TS must be validated online.Official sources: France-Visas, visa de long séjour; France-Visas, votre arrivée en France; France-Visas, séjour touristique de plus de 3 mois; France-Visas, étudiant.
Details checked against the official pages on October 6, 2026.
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