Visahjelp

Extended tourism / Visiteur (VLS-TS « visiteur »)

The VLS-TS Visiteur is a long-stay visa for people who want to live in France for between 3 and 12 months without doing any professional work — think retirees extending a stay beyond Schengen limits, or financially independent individuals on a long sabbatical. Applicants must show they meet an annual resources threshold and must sign a formal declaration that they will not work in France. This commitment is strict: any paid activity, including remote work for a foreign employer, is incompatible with this status and can lead to non-renewal or expulsion. After the visa year, it can be renewed as a carte de séjour temporaire Visiteur at the local préfecture.

From the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs

“Decisions by the Embassy of France in Hanoi or Consulate-General in HCMC. Visa validity 3 to 12 months. **Strict non-work commitment** — any paid professional activity during the stay (including remote work for a non-French employer) is incompatible with the visiteur status and can result in non-renewal or expulsion. Post-arrival: VLS-TS validation on ANEF within 3 months — standard long-stay window. Renewal as carte de séjour temporaire « visiteur » at the préfecture: €350 fee at delivery (€300 taxe + €50 droit de timbre via timbres fiscaux, per F302); +€180 droit de visa de régularisation if filed late without force majeure or valid visa. The visiteur card is valid 1 year maximum and renewable so long as the resources condition continues to be met. EES does NOT apply (long-stay VLS-TS regime).”
— French Ministry of Foreign Affairs · French consulates

What you need

  • Per F302 and france-visas: (1) annual financial resources at or above **€17,317.39** (= €1,443.11 net monthly × 12) — this is the headline numeric requirement and is the most-tested condition. Evidence: bank statements, third-party financial guarantees from solvent persons (often family), retirement pension certificates, asset attestations. Accommodation conditions are also factored into the resources evaluation; (2) **handwritten declaration on honour of non-work** in France; (3) **health insurance** covering the full duration of the stay; (4) **accommodation evidence** (lease, hotel/short-term booking, host attestation, or attestation d'hébergement); (5) **signed engagement to respect the principles of the Republic** (CESEDA L412-7, F38329); (6) civil-status documents (birth certificate). Cerfa form generated by the france-visas interactive visa assistant. Vietnamese-language supporting documents notarised + sworn-translated.

Checklist

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  • Long-stay visa application form (Cerfa 14571-05) — completed via france-visas assistant, printed, signed *
  • Two recent identical biometric photos (35mm × 45mm, ICAO standard) *
  • Original passport (validity covering the planned stay + 3 months; 2+ blank pages; issued ≤ 10 years) *
  • Vietnamese documents — notarised + sworn translation into French or English *
  • Health insurance covering the full duration of the stay in France *
  • Accommodation evidence — lease, hotel/short-term booking, or attestation d'accueil *
  • Signed engagement to respect the principles of the Republic (CESEDA L412-7) *
  • Birth certificate (with notarised translation) *
  • Non-polygamy declaration on honour (if married and from a country permitting polygamy)
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Eligibility conditions

  • Financial resources — at least EUR 17,317.39 annual (= EUR 1,443.11 net monthly × 12) per F302 *
  • Handwritten declaration on honour of non-work in France *
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Fees

  • Visa fee — verify current amount on france-visas before each filing *
  • Préfecture card-issuance fee — EUR 350 (EUR 300 taxe + EUR 50 droit de timbre) per F302 *
  • TLS Contact service fee — EUR 25 per application *
  • TLS Contact appointment confirmation *

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