Long-Term D Visa to France: Documents, Cost, How to Get

The long-stay visa type D (visa de long séjour) allows a person to remain in France for more than 90 days but less than one year. This visa category is intended for cases where the purpose of travel involves extended residence, and it is most commonly obtained by students, qualified professionals, entrepreneurs, and family members of French citizens or residents.

Formally, the long-term stay visa in France serves a dual function: it authorizes entry into the Schengen Area and also acts as a basis for obtaining a residence permit.

In this article, we will provide a detailed overview of the different types of long-stay visas, their eligibility criteria, and the required documentation for application.

Main Categories of Visa D

The long-stay French visa type D is not a single document but rather a collective term covering several visa categories, each designed for a specific purpose of stay. French law provides for over ten legal grounds for issuing a visa D; however, in practice, the vast majority of applications fall into the following key categories.

Work Visa (Visa de long séjour salarié / salarié détaché)

The French long-stay work visa (type D) is intended for foreign nationals who have signed an employment contract with a French employer or have been assigned to France by an international company.

The work authorization is issued through the DREETS (Direction régionale de l’économie, de l’emploi, du travail et des solidarités), which evaluates the justification for hiring a foreign worker.

Key requirements:

• A valid employment contract approved by DREETS and signed with a French organization.
• Minimum salary must not be lower than the legal minimum wage — €1766 gross per month or €21,192 per year.
• Comprehensive health insurance covering the entire period of stay.
• Proof of accommodation in France.
• No violations of Schengen visa regulations and no criminal record.
• When applicable — degree or professional qualification confirming the applicant’s expertise (mandatory for professions such as doctors, nurses, architects, etc.).

Required documents:

• Completed visa application form.
• Passport valid for at least 15 months.
• Two recent passport-sized photos meeting official standards.
• Employment contract approved by DREETS.
• Letter of invitation from the employer.
• Proof of financial means (bank statement or income certificate).
• Health insurance valid in France.
• Proof of accommodation.

The type D work visa is issued for up to 12 months and authorizes employment only with the specific employer named in the contract. After arrival, the holder must register with the OFII (Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration) and obtain a titre de séjour salarié, which can be renewed annually. After five consecutive years of legal employment, the visa holder may apply for a carte de résident , a 10-year permanent residence card.

For posted employees (salariés détachés), the visa is issued based on an agreement between the parent and host companies. In this case, the applicant remains employed by the foreign company but is temporarily assigned to work in France.

Student Visa (Visa de long séjour étudiant)

This category of long-stay visa is intended for foreign nationals enrolled in an accredited French educational institution. Eligible institutions include state-recognized universities, engineering, architecture, and business schools, as well as exchange programs and language courses lasting more than three months.

French long-term visa requirements:

• Proof of admission (lettre d’admission or certificat d’inscription) from a French educational institution.
• Proof of sufficient financial resources — at least €615 per month, which corresponds to the official minimum living standard for students in France.
• Proof of accommodation for the entire period of stay.
• Valid health insurance covering the full duration of residence.
• No criminal record and no visa violations within the Schengen Area.
• For some programs — language proficiency proof (usually B2 level in French according to DELF/DALF, or TOEFL/IELTS scores for English-taught programs).

Required documents:

• Completed visa application form via the France-Visas portal.
• Passport valid for at least 15 months.
• Two recent photos (3.5 × 4.5 cm).
• Letter of admission or invitation from the institution.
• Proof of financial means (bank statement, scholarship confirmation, or financial guarantee letter from parents).
• Proof of accommodation.
• Health insurance policy valid in France.
• Receipt of payment for the university registration fee (if applicable).

The student long-stay visa is issued for a period of four months to one year and can be renewed annually for the duration of the study program. Holders of this visa are allowed to work up to 964 hours per year (equivalent to 60% of a full-time position) and may travel freely within the Schengen Area without an additional visa. Upon completion of studies, it is possible to change visa status to a work visa without leaving France.

Family Reunification (Regroupement familial)

This type D long-stay visa is intended for foreign nationals who have legally resided in France for at least 18 months and wish to bring their spouse and minor children to join them. The procedure does not apply to EU citizens (who are subject to simplified rules) but serves as the main legal mechanism for family immigration for holders of a French long-term residence permit (titre de séjour) or a long-stay visa.

Key requirements:

• The sponsor (main applicant) must have resided legally in France for at least 18 months under a valid residence permit.
• Minimum monthly income: at least €1,766 gross over the past 12 months; for families of 3–4 members, the threshold increases by approximately 10–20%.
• Adequate housing, typically at least 22 m² for two people, plus 10 m² for each additional family member.
• No criminal record for any family member.
• Proof of family relationship (marriage and birth certificates).

French long-term visa application procedure:

1. Submit an application at the prefecture corresponding to the sponsor’s place of residence.
2. Verification of income and housing conditions — an OFII inspector visits the residence to assess compliance with housing standards.
3. Upon approval, OFII sends an authorization for family reunification to the French consulate in the family’s country of residence.
4. Family members submit visa D applications at the consulate (or via VFS Global) and undergo biometric registration.
5. After arrival in France, they receive residence permits valid for the same duration as the sponsor’s status.

Required documents for the French long-stay visa D:

• Passports of the sponsor and all family members.
• Copy of the sponsor’s residence permit (titre de séjour).
• Proof of income (e.g., pay slips or tax returns).
• Housing documents (rental contract, property deed, or housing certificate).
• Marriage and birth certificates (translated and legalized, if applicable).
• Health insurance covering all family members.
• Copy of the OFII decision approving family reunification.

The OFII and prefecture review process usually takes 6 to 12 months, depending on the region. Once approved, the visa issuance period is typically 2 to 4 weeks. Spouses and children arriving under the family reunification program are entitled to education, public health insurance, and employment rights in France.

«Passeport Talent» Visa (Visa de long séjour — Passeport Talent)

The Passeport Talent program was established to attract highly qualified foreign professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and artists to France. The main advantage of long sejour visas in France lies in the initial residence authorization of up to four years, compared to standard long-stay visas, which are usually valid for only 12 months.

Key subcategories of the «Passeport Talent» visa:

The application process begins with obtaining preliminary approval through the demarches-simplifiees.fr portal. This step applies to entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers. Once approval is granted, the applicant may submit a visa application via the France-Visas website or directly at the French consulate.

After arriving in France, it is necessary to register with the OFII (Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration) and obtain a long-stay residence permit (visa D) under the Passeport Talent category, valid for up to four years.

Internship and Volunteering Visa (Visa stagiaire / bénévole)

This type of long-term residence permit in France is intended for foreign nationals coming to the country to undertake either a professional internship (stage) or to participate in volunteer and humanitarian programs (bénévolat, service civique, or associative programs) lasting more than three months.

Main categories:

• Visa de long séjour — stagiaire — for students and graduates completing an internship under an official internship agreement (convention de stage) with a French host organization (company, university, or NGO).
• Visa de long séjour — bénévole ou volontaire — for participants in humanitarian, cultural, environmental, or social initiatives.

Key requirements for interns (stagiaires):

• A signed internship agreement (convention de stage) between the intern, the host organization, and the sending institution.
• Duration of the internship: from 3 to 12 months.
• Proof of accommodation and valid health insurance.
• Sufficient financial resources — at least €615 per month, or a guarantee of support from the host organization.
• In some cases, an authorization to work (autorisation provisoire de travail) is required if the internship is paid.

Key requirements for volunteers is an official invitation from a registered French association (association agréée) for a program lasting 6 to 12 months. The host organization must cover housing expenses and, in many cases, provide a stipend or allowance.

Required documents:

• Completed France-visas application form.
• Passport valid for at least 15 months.
• Two recent passport photos.
• Signed agreement — either convention de stage or contrat de voluntariat.
• Proof of accommodation in France.
• Health insurance covering the entire period of stay.
• Proof of financial means (scholarship certificate, organizational guarantee, or personal funds).
• A letter from the sending university or NGO confirming participation (if applicable).

Interns are allowed to work only within the framework of the approved internship and exclusively for the host organization specified in the agreement. They are not entitled to a regular salary; all living expenses are covered by the host institution.

A change of visa status (for example, switching from an internship to employment status) is not permitted while in France. A new visa application must be submitted from the applicant’s home country.

Visa D «Visiteur» (Visa de long séjour — Visiteur)

The «Visiteur» long-stay visa (type D) is intended for foreign nationals who wish to reside in France for more than three months without engaging in employment or commercial activities. It is one of the most flexible residence options for individuals who have stable income or sufficient savings to support themselves independently.

A long-term tourist visa in France is suitable for:

• Retirees living on pension income, investment returns, or rental proceeds.
• Individuals with passive income (dividends, royalties, or interest).
• Property owners in France wishing to reside in their home for extended periods.
• Spouses or family members of foreign nationals temporarily residing in France.
• Patients undergoing long-term medical treatment or persons accompanying relatives (without engaging in work).

The key condition is complete financial self-sufficiency — the applicant must not work or conduct business while in France.

Main requirements:

• Proof of financial means: minimum monthly income of €1383 (approximately €16,600 per year).
• Comprehensive medical insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for the entire duration of stay.
• Proof of accommodation in France — a rental contract, property ownership document, or attestation d’hébergement (certificate of lodging).
• Clean criminal record and no violations of EU visa regulations.
• No plans for employment or study in France.

Registration and completion of the application are carried out on the official portal France-Visas.gouv.fr, while the submission of documents takes place either at a VFS Global visa center or directly at a French consulate. The France long term visa processing time is typically 2 to 6 weeks.

Once approved, the applicant receives a Visa D VLS-TS (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour). After activation upon entry into France, this visa becomes equivalent to a temporary residence permit (titre de séjour visiteur), granting the holder the right to reside legally in France without engaging in any professional activity.

Extension and Change of Status

All long-stay visas of type D in France are temporary residence documents, typically issued for a period of 4 months to 1 year (in exceptional cases — up to 4 years, such as under the Passeport Talent program). Upon arrival, the visa holder must register their visa and, if required, obtain a titre de séjour, a plastic residence card confirming the legal right to stay in France.

An application for renewal must be submitted 2–3 months before the current permit expires. This can be done via the French Ministry of the Interior’s online platform or at the prefecture corresponding to the applicant’s place of residence. Failure to submit the renewal request on time may result in loss of legal status and the requirement to leave France.

Required documents for renewal:

• Completed renewal form (CERFA n°1518603*).
• Passport and valid titre de séjour / visa D.
• Recent photo and proof of address in France.
• Proof of income (bank statements, employment contract, or enrollment certificate).
• Valid health insurance.
• Payment receipt for the fiscal stamp (currently €225).

Foreign nationals residing in France under a visa D or titre de séjour may apply for a change of residence status without leaving the country.

Conditions for changing status:

• Legal residence in France at the time of application.
• Sufficient financial means and stable housing.
• Justified new purpose of stay (e.g., employment, studies, entrepreneurship, etc.).
• Application submitted before the expiration of the current status.

After five consecutive years of lawful residence in France under long-stay visas or residence permits, and subject to certain conditions, including stable income, social and professional integration, and French language proficiency at level B1 or higher, an applicant becomes eligible to apply for a carte de résident, a 10-year permanent residence permit.

Costs of Obtaining a Long-Stay Visa (Visa D)

The total cost of a French long-stay visa (visa de long séjour) consists of several mandatory and optional fees. In addition to the consular fee, applicants may incur various additional expenses, depending on the visa type and application procedure.

For work and academic visa categories, applicants are also required to undergo ENIC-NARIC diploma verification, an online service provided by France Éducation International, which costs €70—90.

In certain cases, French immigration authorities may require a medical examination, particularly for long-stay visas issued for medical or health-related purposes. This examination costs approximately €50—80 and must be carried out in certified medical clinics.

In total, obtaining a standard student long-stay visa (Visa D étudiant) through VFS Global, including mandatory one-year health insurance, typically costs around €350—400, covering all fees and service expenses.