Move to France.
We handle the paperwork.
The Long-Stay Visitor Visa is France's residency route for people who don't need to work while they're there. Retired, financially independent, or simply ready for a new chapter. We handle every step of the process.
What is the France Long-Stay Visitor Visa?
The Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur) is a French residence permit for non-EU nationals who have sufficient financial means to live in France without working. You can be retired, financially independent, or simply at a stage in life where you want to settle in one of the most loved countries in the world.
The visa is renewable annually and can lead to permanent residency after five years of legal residence. It grants full access to Schengen mobility for travel across Europe.
The application is document-intensive and the financial means threshold is strictly assessed. French consulates and the OFII process vary significantly in expectations, and a poorly prepared file almost always results in rejection or delay. Getting it right from the start matters.
Check my eligibility →Sufficient financial means
A minimum equivalent to the French SMIC (around €1,800/month net). Provable via foreign pension, investment income, rental income, savings, or a combination.
No working in France (no French work contracts, no French clients, no French entity)
The Visitor Visa strictly prohibits any employment or self-employment activity in France. You sign a sworn declaration committing not to work.
Private health insurance
Full coverage valid in France for the entire duration of the initial visa period. Required at the time of consulate submission.
Proof of accommodation
A rental contract, property deed, or hosting attestation. Required at submission, not after arrival.
Built for people ready to make France home.
The Visitor Visa was designed for a specific kind of mover. Here's who applies most commonly.
Retirees
You've left full-time work and have a pension, investment portfolio, or savings that comfortably covers the income threshold. France offers world-class healthcare, food, and culture, with a quality of life unmatched in Western Europe.
Most common profilePassive Income Holders
You earn through dividends, rental income, or other non-work sources and want to live in France without setting up a company or working under a visa. The Visitor Visa is a clean, straightforward route to residency.
Growing profileFamilies Relocating Together
One financially independent adult can anchor a Visitor Visa application for the whole family. Each spouse files their own file, and minor children can be added under a simplified family scope.
From first call to residency card.
We handle every step. Typically 2 to 4 months from start to approval.
Free eligibility call
15 minutes. We look at your income sources, current country of residence, and timeline. We'll tell you honestly whether the Visitor Visa is right for you and what your specific consulate typically expects.
Fixed-price proposal
A clear, all-in scope with no hidden costs. You know exactly what you're paying before anything moves forward.
Document preparation
Bank statements, pension letters, insurance policy, accommodation proof, motivation letter, sworn declarations. We produce a file that matches what your specific consulate wants to see.
TLSContact appointment
We coordinate your TLSContact appointment, prepare your dossier before submission, and brief you on what to expect on the day. Consulate processing times typically run 1 to 2 weeks.
Post-arrival validation
Within 3 months of arrival, your visa must be validated online with the OFII. We provide guidance on the validation.
Annual renewal support
The Visitor Visa requires annual renewal at your local prefecture. We already know your file. Renewal is handled with minimal effort on your part.
1,200+ people trusted us with their relocation.
"Having never applied for a visa in my life, I assumed it would be easy. After my first attempt got an immediate denial, I realized I needed help. Needless to say, with such a great team, the second attempt was a success."
"I was told it would likely take two months. To my utter shock, it took just TWO DAYS. Ann and her team had prepared me so thoroughly that I was a shoo-in. You changed my life."
"It was only when EasyStart got involved that my problem with the authorities, which had been going on for 2 years, was resolved with a positive outcome."
"If you're thinking of moving, save yourself a lot of heartache and hire EasyStart from the start. I now have a registered company and moved into my new apartment. I couldn't have done it without them."
"They helped me choose the correct visa, guided me through every step, all the way through receiving my visa and getting integrated into the social benefits program."
"With EasyStart you really feel their dedication and attention to you. Everything has a personalized touch, and they reply faster than any other agency I've seen."
One fixed price. No surprises.
Full-service at a fraction of what a French immigration lawyer charges. Everything included from eligibility check to post-arrival registration.
France Long-Stay Visitor Visa
€1,700 per application
excl. VAT
What's included
- Eligibility assessment & personalized strategy
- Dedicated visa & immigration advisor on your case
- Drafting and submission of visa application
- Drafting of other required documents
- French convenience translation of relevant, non official documents
- Assistance with visa appointment booking
- 2 face-to-face consultations
- Visa validation assistance upon arrival
- Dedicated workspace on the EasyStart platform
- 24/7 support
Added to a parent's application. Includes full dossier prep and school enrollment guidance.
Things you probably want to know first.
How much money do I need to qualify?
France doesn't publish a strict legal threshold, but consulates apply an unwritten floor close to the French SMIC (around €1,800 per month net). Most applicants we work with show €25,000 to €30,000 per year in stable income or equivalent savings. We assess your exact situation on the eligibility call and tell you whether your file is consulate-ready.
Can I work at all on the Visitor Visa?
No. The Visitor Visa explicitly prohibits any employment or self-employment in France, and you sign a sworn declaration to that effect. However, you can keep working remotely as self-employment or for a foreign employer with this visa.
How long does the process take?
Typically 2 to 4 months from eligibility call to visa approval. TLSContact appointment availability and consulate processing times vary by country. We factor this into your timeline from day one and never sell unrealistic deadlines.
Can I bring my family?
Yes. Each adult files their own Visitor Visa application and must independently show sufficient means, though spousal income can be considered in supporting documentation. Minor children are added under our simplified pricing at €700 per child. Couples and families benefit from a tailored proposal.
Does the Visitor Visa lead to permanent residency?
Yes. After five continuous years of legal residence in France, you can apply for a 10-year resident card (carte de resident) and eventually for French citizenship. Maintaining your annual renewals without gaps is the key. We help you track and manage each renewal cycle.
What about healthcare in France?
You're required to hold private health insurance at the time of visa submission. After 3 months of legal residence in France, you become eligible to register for PUMa (the French public healthcare scheme) and receive a carte vitale. We handle the carte vitale enrollment as part of the included post-arrival service.
Ready to make France your new home?
Book a free 15-minute eligibility call. No commitment, no pressure. We'll tell you exactly where you stand and what it takes.
- Eligibility confirmed in your first call
- Clear timeline and fixed price upfront
- Dedicated English-speaking advisor
- 99% approval rate across 1,200+ cases