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In brief
Section actions
Duration: Application — 2 at 6 months; title 1 year, then until 4 years
Cost: Tax ~250 € (sheet 19 € + OFII 200 €)
Possible online

Who this guide is for

Section actions
  • You if you are retired or financially independent and want to live in France
  • You if you renew a visitor title previously issued
  • You if you entered with a visitor visa and pass the title

To be prepared in advance

Section actions
  • Resource justification (~SMIC/month, stable — pension, annuities, savings)
  • Current passport and VLS-TS visitor visa (or receipt)
  • Home justification, health insurance (CPAM or private)

Step-by-step procedure

Section actions
  1. 1Check resources: the prefecture requires stable incomes sufficient to live without working (~SMIC per person, exact amount to be confirmed on ANEF). Pensions, annuities, investments are taken into account.
  2. 2Confirm the absence of activity: the visitor's title DOES NOT AUTOIRE paid work or commercial activity. Volunteering without profit is allowed.
  3. 3Within 3 months of arrival, validate the VLS-TS and apply for a visitor title on ANEF. Download: passport, visa, resources, address, insurance, photo.
  4. 4Pay taxes (~250 € : stamp 19 € + tax OFII 200 €, to be confirmed on ANEF).
  5. 5Wait for the summons and get the card. The visitor is usually issued for 1 an; the renewal can be extended to 4 ans (multi-year title).
  6. 6Renewal: 2 months before expiry via ANEF. Justify resources and insurance each time.
  7. 7Long-term journey: After 5 years, you can apply for the resident card (10 years) and, after 5 years of residence, naturalization (subject to conditions).

Common mistakes

Section actions
  • Believing that the visitor title allows to work. No — this is the central condition.
  • Do not prove the stability of resources — refusal to renew.
  • Accepting paid employment — cancellation of title and expulsion.
  • Allow renewal to expire — irregular situation.
  • Do not take out insurance — medical coverage is compulsory.

Official sources

Section actions
Show sources in this section

Useful links

Section actions
VLS-TS validationRenewal of residence permitResident card (10 years old)

Important remark

The resource thresholds and conditions of the visitor title are changing. This information is indicative — for your situation, check on ANEF and in prefecture.

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