When you're filling out the form (visa wizard) if I'm not mistaken. It will ask you [More than a year?] [Less than a year?] It sorts it for you. TLS just collects docs. THey're then sent to the Consulate. At least this is my understanding. Others weigh in if you know otherwise.

 

Yes, I had no trouble answering the questions, more than a year, less than a year or whaterver they are on the French visa site. This is the TLS Contact site registration form, they requesat a specific date. I was thinking it doesn't matter what date I fill in for return on this sight, just make it more than a year but thought I'd better ask.

 

My friend and I got an INVALUABLE heads-up from someone in France, and without it, we might have made a serious strategic error. I might well have chosen 6 months-1 year on the dropdown menu since I wasn't familiar with the process, but I was forewarned, thank heavens. In order to be applying successfully for the VLS-TS that can be renewed IN France for another year, it was imperative to choose "more than 1 year." For return, I input a date one year from our planned arrival.

Otherwise (with that 6 months-1 year selection), as I understand it from the people at TLS, we would have had to come back to the U.S. and pretty much repeat the process. That would have been so deeply disappointing to us! We went to the recently set-up TLS office in Los Angeles and everything went splendidly though I felt some trepidation handing over my precious passport with our departure only a month away.

Our files went off to the consulate in D.C. on Thursday August 7 and, miracle of miracles, the UPS driver her in SoCal was handing me the envelope on Wednesday, August 13. My friend received hers the same day in Santa Fe.

 

@RevLauren Spot on! Right you are. A detail I forgot (whew!) Glad you weighed in.

 

Just as I am glad I watched a video from Baguette Bound (lovely couple, by the way) who went carefully through the process and emphasized that time frame choice. Getting it wrong would have been, well, not the end of the world (no need for high drama) BUT it would have been extremely difficult for us to have to fly back and start all over again. I thank my lucky stars and any guardian angels who have been hanging around.

 

Guess we haven't had the question for a while, but yes, we've often mentioned the need to distinguish between the "6 months to 1 year" category and the "1 year +" category on the visa application forms. I'll just mention here one more time that the VLS-TS is only a characteristic of any number of types of visas. It basically indicates that the visa is a) renewable and b) serves as your "residence permit" for the first year you are in France. It's the question about your "reason" for wanting a long-stay visa that is critical in determining what kind of visa/residence permit you ultimately get. (And certain other restrictions on your residence permit, like work authorization etc.)

For all those retiring to France, you should check the box for a "visitor" (however phrased - it should mention "visiteur" in some form). This is the one where you have to submit a signed statement that you understand you are not allowed to accept employment in France. Any reference to "family" in that question on the form relates to one of the "family reunification" type visas and requires slightly different documents to be submitted with the application.

 

Thanks. I did my own Long Stay Temporary visa last year and was able to stay in France for 7 months, long enough to finish the renovations on my ancient ruin of a house that had been going on for over 2 1/2 years. Now when I return this winter, I can enjoy myself for the first time since buying the house 3 years ago. My plan is to spend most of winter there every year, something like mid to late Oct or early November until mid to late Feb or early March sometimes. Not every year will be exactly the same dates necessarily but that's basic time frame. I am retired with enough savings and passive income to qualify for the retired visa. If I attempt to acquire this visa by myself, not hire a service that does visas, to make sure I'm getting the correct visa, I am to just choose either Retired or Adult Visitor when those are the choices on the application, yes? Thats what I did yesterday when I submitted my application but I'm checking here to make sure that's really all I have to watch for. I've been told by a visa service you hire two things I'd like to see if they can be confirmed here. 1. No documents for this visa need to be translated into French 2. If you have a lot of savings /investments, it can be in the US, doesn't have to be in my French bank account, and you shouldn't confuse things more by also showing passive income, savings of several hundreds of thousands of dollars is sufficient I was told. I guess that's 3 things I want to confirm.

 

1. Generally speaking, if you're applying for a long-stay visa in the US and all your documents for submission are in English (i.e. are from the US), you shouldn't have to have the documents translated. The embassy in the US is used to dealing with US documents and they should be staffed with people who speak US English. That said, it is always possible that if you have some unusual situation or out-of-the-ordinary document that you're using for your visa application they could come back and ask for something more and possibly translated. But generally speaking, they don't. If any of your documents is non-US and in a language other than English or French, then they might ask for a certified translation.

2. This push about financial resources needing to be from or in France is a new requirement/push. The details may be evolving over the coming months and years. Traditionally, if you are relying on savings and investments to prove your "adequate financial resources" they prefer seeing adequate income from the investments that you can live off, as they are concerned if it appears that you will be draining your savings for living expenses while in France. It's not entirely clear how they plan to prioritize income or savings by its source. From what I've read about these "new" criteria, they seem to want to favor resources and income that is (or will be) subject to French taxation on some level. But that's just my take on things.

 

Ok, that last part is strange and confusing because I've read that they prefer your passive income not be from activity in France but if they now prefer this income to be subject to French taxation then it would have to be based in France. I rent my French house out on airbnb and booking.com so that gives me activity subject to French taxation so maybe it's good to include or maybe not ha. The man I spoke with from a visa concierge company this morning told me it would be better to just show all the savings/investments and leave out the passive income. He said he has 100% success rate getting this visa. Who knows? There's no way to know if he's telling the truth. But I have not heard of or met anyone who hires these companies who's not gotten their visa they wanted. I just think it's throwing away a lot of money and I can do it if I'm clear on what to do. The required document list for this visa is not that big.
Any tips you could give me?

 

All I can say is that "what you've read" is based on what has been the case previously. As I mentioned, this priority for French based financial resources is new legislation (and to some extent, new implementation guidelines from the Ministry of the Interior - or whoever put out that letter to the prefets).

Nearly all the "visa concierge" services claim 100% success because they only get paid for a successful outcome and like everyone else, they are dealing with how things have worked in the past. But if you have French sourced "passive income" you probably want to acknowledge it - if only to avoid questions from the Fisc if and when it "suddenly" appears on your French tax declarations when it has been going on for some years. (Of course that's only if the passive income is significant in your financial situation.)

In my experience, using an "agent" to handle what are considered fairly simple and routine administrative procedures (like visa applications, renewing residence permits, etc.) can be viewed with quite a jaundiced eye by the fonctionnaires. So, yeah, if you can handle the process yourself, you should do so. The main thing is to be completely truthful (i.e. don't leave out significant sources of income, especially French sourced) and answer questions and requests completely, but don't answer any question not asked.

The required document list for this visa is not that big.

And don't forget that they can always ask for further documents or information. The required document list is only a starting point. If they have questions, they'll get back to you - and it happens pretty much all the time.

 

Thank you! I particularly love your pep talk to do it myself. That's my feeling too. Really, the bulk of the work is the document gathering and whether I hire someone or not and only I can do that part. I successfully acquired temporary long stay visas by myself last summer but I wanted this visa I'm applying for now. I understand what I did wrong. I said I needed more time to renovate my house, I gave departing and returning dates which meant you then had to provide booked plane tickets. Mine showed a return in 6 months, so ya, I can see how they thought that's a temporary situation. This time, I chose a year+ on the application as my time in France. That answer doesn't require a return date be stated or booked plane tickets be included in the document list. I was not asked for any more documents last year, maybe I can be as successful. My appointment is Sept 8th in Boston.

 

I believe you are not referring to the long stay visa form, but just the form TLS is having you fill out as part of making an appointment? If so, yes, I would make it one + year.

 

My recent online experience started with filling out the actual application at the French government's portal prefaced by the screening questions related to whether or not you need a visa at all. Of course I knew the answer to that, but still puzzled over a few items.

https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/online-application

When I "finally" (thank heavens) got that completed... after a few false starts when I wasn't sure I'd gotten every detail correct, then I had my application number and could book the appointment at TLS. When I arrived, they had my completed application and worked through their questions as they reviewed it. The critical choices for ME were time and purpose: the "longer than one year," and the "visitor" category. Naturally that might vary by individual. But I am thrilled to have my 1-year residence permit (or will when I validate on arrival). My best wishes to all here who are on the same journey.

 

You're in good hands with the Boston office. There was a bad glitch with my online application, and they sorted it all out (for an extra charge).

They were able to fix it because apparently it's a common problem. I can't really describe it, but after you think you've finished the online application, and after the site lets you make an appointment for an in-person interview, there's one final step. Without it, TLS doesn't have access to your application.

 

They were able to fix it because apparently it's a common problem. I can't really describe it, but after you think you've finished the online application, and after the site lets you make an appointment for an in-person interview, there's one final step. Without it, TLS doesn't have access to your application.

What?! Can you describe this with a bit more detail for me please? Why can't you tell me what this secret one final step is that costs an extra charge? Please!

 

I just thought of another question. I got a quote for my Schengen health insurance to cover the dates of my trip coming up, Oct 27- Feb 20 and that's what I was going to purchase before my Sept 8 appointment. But am I expected to show I have this insurance for a year after saying I want a visitor visa for a year+ ? Can't one be expected to get this renewable long stay visitor visa and then come and go as they please, a few months here, a few months there, maybe a few weeks, whatever? Thats what I want to do. And you can buy the Schengen insuarance for each trip. Yes?

 

But am I expected to show I have this insurance for a year after saying I want a visitor visa for a year+ ?

If what you want is a "long-stay" visa of any sort for a year+, you will need to have health insurance for your full first year. For the shorter duration long-stay visas (i.e. for over 90 days up to a year, but not renewable) you are assumed to be taking up residence in France. It sounds like the "1 year +" is not the visa you are looking for.

I'm not aware of any multi-entry visas like what you seem to want. They do seem to expect that you will apply for an appropriate visa for each trip of over 90 days (but on the bright side, you only need the health cover for the period of time you intend to stay in France). For trips of less than 90 days, you'll need to register with the ETIAS system (kind of like Europe's version of the US ESTA system) which is supposed to start up in "late" 2026.

 

No, sorry, I can't describe a step I missed. I think they tried to explain it to me at the appointment, but I was so stressed at the possibility I'd have to fly in to Boston a second time that I wasn't really paying attention. The "aide remplissage" fee was $45, so not awful.

If it were me, I'd post a fresh question here and on Reddit, and/or when you're done with the application, and you've made an appointment, look carefully to see what buttons remain to click on -- maybe something about sending the file on to TLS.

 

This is from the Franceformation newsletter and though a very simplified explanation, isn't this what I need, having bought a house in France and wanting to spend the whole winter and other random amounts of time there?

Visitor - Visitor visas are designed for just that: visiting. Holders of these are usually retirees receiving pensions as you cannot work (for anyone, anywhere in the world) on a visitor visa. While the long-stay visitor visa can be renewed, there is an additional type to avoid called the “long séjour temporaire”, which cannot be extended and requires the holder to return home at the end of its term

 

I have no idea what the Franceformation newsletter is nor who is behind it. Nor any idea of the context in which this explanation is being made.

You can, if you like, go for the "1 year+" visiteur visa and see what happens. Yes, it's possible to come and go from France as you seem to want to do. However, you will have to renew the residence permit every year and at the moment, the cost for renewal of a carte de séjour visiteur is 225€. (I believe the cost of a visa application is 99€ for a long-stay visa.) Recent changes to French immigration regulations may change things next year particularly in regard to renewals of the carte de séjour.

For more details, have a look at the Service Public website:

Temporary residence card "visitor" of a foreigner in France

If you are a foreigner and wish to stay in France for more than 3 months as an inactive person, you can obtain a visitor's residence card.

www.service-public.fr

 

Is 225E charged every year when you renew?

 

Yep.

 

The fee seems to be the same whether you are renewing for a single year or if you renew for a multi-year carte de séjour. At present, though, I believe the only multi-year residence card is the "carte residente" which is a 10 year card, that has other requirements attached. After the first 10 year card you may become eligible for a "permanent resident" card (also 10 years) but which no longer requires the payment of fees. Providing, of course, that you meet the requirements (including language, "assimilation" and a few other things).

 

I got a quote of 352E VAT included from Mondial Care for a year! I know they are accpted becauce that's who I bought from last year for my temporary Long Stay Visa. The quote for the same policy, same company from an agent of theirs was 552E, 200E more for the same thing so if anyone wants the best price, go to mondialcare.eu and do it yourself; in a couple minutes of answering a few questions on a form, you'll have a quote and contract number and instructions to pay with your card.

 

I got a quote of 352E VAT included from Mondial Care for a year! I know they are accpted becauce that's who I bought from last year for my temporary Long Stay Visa. The quote for the same policy, same company from an agent of theirs was 552E, 200E more for the same thing so if anyone wants the best price, go to mondialcare.eu and do. it yourself; in a couple minutes of answering a few questions on a form, you'll have a quote and contract number and instructions to pay with your card.

Sounds great. Just be aware that this policy ( and many others) may not cover pre-existing conditions. Hopefully that is not an issue for you.

 

If your "real" health insurance from the US includes adequate global cover, you may be able to get a certificate from them acknowledging the adequacy of that cover - especially if it would include "repatriation" (i.e. flying you back to the US for certain long-term or critical conditions or injuries). Certain Blue Cross policies used to cover their customers "globally" but it can be tricky getting the appropriate letter/certificate from the company to satisfy the visa requirements.

 

Oh wow, I had no idea. I'll look into this right away.

 

In writing a concise cover letter, what do you think is most important for obtaining this long stay visitor visa for a retired person, what should I emphasize: financial independence in general, the passive income I receive from my French house, the enjoyment I receive from the high quality of life in Provence, my connection to the social fabric of life in France meaning I have made a life there with friends, neighbors and community activities? What are they looking for in granting this visa to older Americans?

 

OK, one big thing to remember is that the French attitude toward money is very different from the US (or UK) one. The key thing with your letter or motivation is to be brief, be totally honest and mention your current ties to France: you own property there, you have already established social ties and you should definitely mention that you are going to take up only part-time residence in France (if I understand your plan correctly).

I'm not sure what your "tax residence" status will be with your current plan - but the income you receive from the rental of your French house should be reported to the Fisc, and you probably already pay the taxe fonciere on the property as it is. Mentioning that isn't so much to prove your "financial resources" as to show that you are a conscientious resident (meeting your civic duties) and will continue to do that with a long-term residence visa. You may wind up having to declare your worldwide income each year, but you probably will owe little or no income tax. It wouldn't hurt to mention your level of French and/or your plans to start or continue improving your language skills.

 

OK, thanks so much for this advice!

Oh, how do I address it," Dear French Consulate"? Translate the letter to French?

 

If you can do it, writing your motivation letter in French isn't a half bad idea. But if not, the consulate usually can handle documents in the language of the country they are in. You may want to pose this question to the visa agency you're working with.

 

Ok. And the question of the salutation? Dear French Consulate?

 

If you're writing it in French, go with "Monsieur, Madame" - it's one place the French go the simple route. It's the closing of a formal letter where they pull out all the stops. Probably the visa agency can help you with this one, too.

 

If you're writing it in French, go with "Monsieur, Madame" - it's one place the French go the simple route.

I understand the standard opening is: "Madame, Monsieur".

 

Would someone please be so kind as to either tell me the list of all the required documents for the visiter visa or provide the link to the list? I'm getting confused how to find it. TLS Contact does not make it easy to ask them questions, actually almost impossible to get any info from them for the $255 you pay. I logged into my application on france-visas.gouv.fr and that didn't help.

 

Would someone please be so kind as to either tell me the list of all the required documents for the visiter visa or provide the link to the list?

There isn't a single, definitive list. The "visa wizard" on the France Visas site should give you the basic list by your visa type. https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/visa-wizard
But, the consulate processing your visa application has the right to request additional documentation if they feel it is necessary. This usually applies to things like details about your medical insurance, or additional information about your financial resources (statements going back a few more months, bank statements showing regular deposits of your source of income, etc.), information about your accommodation in France (proof that you own a home there or that you will be staying with friends, etc.). In your case, if you're planning on splitting your time between France and the US, they may want some sort of proof of that - ties to the US, for example. Sometimes, in unusual circumstances, you may be asked to prove something about your application - and depending on the circumstances, this may take a bit of creativity on your part.