Visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour (V.L.S.-T.S.)
This long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (V.L.S.-T.S.) authorizes you to enter France and reside for a period of more than 3 months and less than 12 months, exempting you from applying for a residence permit for your first year of residence.
After your first year of residence, if you wish to extend your stay in France, you must apply for a residence permit corresponding to your particular situation.
This visa is valid in all 26 Member States of the Schengen Area. You do not need this document if you are an Andorran, European, Monegasque, Swiss, San Marino, or Vatican citizen.
Your request must be made to the French embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Application processing times can vary greatly depending on the country and time of year. For these reasons, we advise you to begin your procedures 3 months before the desired date of arrival in France.
The V.L.S.-T.S. may bear one of the following:
– “Employee” if you work for a company located in France, for a period equal to or greater than one year.
– “Temporary worker” if you work for a company located in France, for a period of between 3 and 12 months.
– “Scientist-researcher” if you carry out research work within a public body or which provides university-level education.
– “Student” if you are studying in France.
– “I.C.T.” if you are an « I.C.T. » (as well as your family) for any stay of less than 12 months.
– “Talent Passport” for a period of less than 12 months if you belong to one of these categories: performer, researcher, business creator, foreigners with a national or international reputation, economic investor, young qualified graduate employee or employee of a young innovative company, corporate officer, bearer of an innovative economic project, an employee on assignment, highly qualified worker.