French Residency
Clearly Explained
Which French Visa Fits Your Plans?
The right pathway depends on how you intend to live in France, whether you will work and how you will support yourself.
For stays of more than 90 days, the six principal pathways for Americans are shown below. FranceNext can help you identify the right one and prepare the financial, housing, insurance and supporting documentation required.
VISITOR
VLS-TS Visiteur
For retirees and people living on pensions, savings or other independent income.
NO WORK AUTHORIZATION
Resources · Housing · Health insurance
ENTREPRENEUR / PROFESSION LIBÉRALE
VLS-TS Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale
For consultants, freelancers and business owners establishing an independent activity in France.
APPROVED INDEPENDENT ACTIVITY PERMITTED
Viable activity · Experience · Financial plan
TALENT
Long-Stay Visa “Talent”
For qualifying skilled employees, researchers, founders, investors and artists.
CAN LEAD TO A MULTI-YEAR TAENT CARD
Qualifications · Salary or investment criteria
STUDENT
VLS-TS Étudiant
For study at an eligible French university, school or educational program.
LIMITED WORK RIGHTS
Admission · Resources · Accommodation
SALARIED EMPLOYEE
VLS-TS Salarié or Travailleur Temporaire
For employment with a French company under a permanent or temporary contract.
WORK AUTHORIZATION GENERALLY REQUIRED
Employment contract · Work authorization · Qualifications
FAMILY
Family-Specific Long-Stay Visa
For qualifying family members of French, European or legal residents.
WORK RIGHTS DEPEND ON THE CATEGORY
Family relationship · Civil-status records · Sponsor’s status
Other Specific Pathways
Additional routes exist for certain recent graduates and researchers, as well as au pairs, trainees, school-age minors and other limited-purpose stays. Eligibility and work rights depend on the individual category.
Already French, European, EEA or Swiss? You do not need a long-stay visa to live in France. Separate requirements may apply to non-European family members.
How the Process Works
01. Plan All the Elements of Your Move
Understand the timeline, and how residency, work, finances, housing, healthcare, and other practical requirements fit together before making major commitments.
02. Choose the Right Visa or Residency Status
Identify the visa or residency status that best fits how you want to live, work and support yourself in France.
03. Build a Complete, Consistent Application
Prepare and organize the required documents, financial information, housing and insurance evidence and, where needed, translations, certifications, and a complete supporting dossier.
04. Submit, Respond and Follow Through
Apply through the appropriate channels and confirm what is required - online, via post or drop off as the case may be - and respond to requests for additional documents or clarification through approval.
05. Arrange the Practical Details of Your Move and Life in France
Put the rest of the move in place, including banking, housing, healthcare, insurance, phone and utilities, driving, business registration and other French administrative requirements.
Not Sure Which Pathway Fits?
FranceNext can review your plans, identify the likely visa or residency route and provide a clear list of the documents, timing and next steps required.
Planning to work independently?
Explore the Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale pathway.