Are You Applying for a French Long-Term Visa? Here Are the 7 Must-Know Facts!

Once your visa application is submitted, the visa centre will retain your passport while your file is processed. This is standard procedure and usually lasts around two to three weeks, though processing times can vary by location and season.

✅ Top Tip: Always keep scanned digital copies and paper backups of your passport. You’ll likely need ID for tasks like securing accommodation or opening a bank account while your original passport is being held.

Two of the most common reasons French long-stay visa applications are denied are:

● Inadequate proof of financial resources

● Non-compliant medical insurance

It’s critical to use a trusted insurance broker that understands exactly what French consulates require. Many applicants only find out their insurance is invalid at the visa appointment, and by then, it’s often too late.

Use insurance providers like FAB French Insurance that specialise in visa-compliant health policies and can issue certificates in French and English, with coverage that ticks every required box.

You’re not expected to be earning a salary to qualify for a long-stay visa. Instead, you need to show that you have reliable financial means to live in France without becoming a burden on the state.

As of 2025, here’s what the visa authorities expect:

● Minimum monthly resources around 1,430 € for a single person

● Around 2,100 € per couple (slightly reduced, but not halved)

✅ Acceptable income sources include:

● Pensions (state or private)

● Dividends

● Rental income

● Interest from savings or investments

● Withdrawals from liquid savings

Savings must be readily accessible, not tied up in property or long-term financial products. Consulates may ask for proof that you can sustain yourself month-by-month at SMIC (minimum wage) levels for the entire duration of your visa.

Getting your long-stay visa is just the first step. Once you’re in France, you must validate it online within 90 days of arrival. Failing to do so will invalidate your visa and affect your future ability to stay or re-enter the country.

To validate your visa:

● Go to the official portal: administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr

● Enter your visa number, date of issue, and other personal details

● Provide your address in France, contact details, and a valid bank card to pay the 200 € validation fee (subject to change)

Once validated, your visa serves as a residency permit and allows you to exit and re-enter the Schengen Area legally throughout your visa’s validity period.

After 90 days in France, you become eligible to register for French public healthcare through the CPAM (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie).

Once accepted into the system under PUMA (Protection Universelle Maladie), you’ll receive your Carte Vitale, the green healthcare card used for doctor visits, hospital stays, specialist care, and more.

The application process can take several months, so it’s essential to have private health insurance in place until you’re fully integrated into the system.

If you plan to stay in France beyond your initial visa period, you’ll need to apply for a carte de séjour (residency permit) at your local préfecture. You can begin this process within the 2–3 months before your visa expires.

Applications are submitted online or in person and usually require:

● Proof of continued residence in France

● Proof of income

● Updated health insurance documentation

● Your original long-stay visa and validated OFII documents

Note that the Carte de Séjour process is separate from your CPAM registration, getting one doesn’t automatically mean you’re accepted for the other. You must initiate and follow through with both applications independently.

Timing is everything. The French consulates will only accept long-stay visa applications submitted:

● No earlier than 3 months before your planned entry into France

● No later than 1 month before your departure

Many applicants leave this too late and end up missing their window or delaying their move.

Plan ahead:

● Gather your documents early

● Book your visa appointment as soon as the 3-month window opens

● Secure visa-compliant health insurance before your interview

Final Reminder: We’re here to help!

At FAB French Insurance, we’ve worked with thousands of expats and retirees to get the right insurance cover for their visa, with documentation that’s accepted by French embassies and consulates around the world.

👉 Get started with Fab French Insurance free quote tool, or reach out for expert advice tailored to your unique situation.

Bienvenue en France!

● Ensure your accommodation, finances, and travel dates all align with your visa application