VLS-TS Synopsis

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VLS-TS (Visa de Long Séjour-valant Titre de Séjour)

Titre de Séjour translates to "residence permit". Knowing this provides context to the information below.

The following text was kindly provided by a 3rd party contributor in May 2021. It strays outside the normal scope of our website and is offered here as a general guide to help people to understand the differences between the VLS-T and the VLS-TS.

• Used for visits of up to 12 months and automatically becomes a resident permit after completion of the required integration process.

• The OFII (Office for Immigration and Integration) procedure must be completed within the first 3 months of arrival in France  and may involve medical, cultural and language elements. (See: https://www.ofii.fr/en/). 

• Under the basic Visitor VLS-TS no financial activity (local or remote) is allowed. Other types of VLS-TS may allow financial activity, but are also more difficult to obtain. (See https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N110). 

• It is best to be clear about your intention to work at the time of the visa application. While it is possible to change the resident permit status once in France, the process may be difficult and involved.

• EHIC and GHIC are NOT accepted for medical insurance. 

• You will need full comprehensive health insurance until or unless you join the French health insurance system: l'Assurance Maladie. You can join the French healthcare system once you have been resident for 3 months. If you have an S1 showing the UK remains your competent state for healthcare then you can apply sooner. The enrollment process usually takes between 4 and 7 months, and longer in some cases. (See: https://www.ameli.fr/assure/english-pages). 

• Residence permit renewals are processed at the local ‘Préfecture’ during 2 months before the expiry date.

• You may leave and re-enter France an unlimited number of times per year. However, depending on the specific residence permit issued, you may be required to spend at least 6 (non-consecutive) months per year in France. When outside of France, but still within the Schengen area, the standard 90/180 day rules apply.

Note: all French residents must report their world-wide income annually and becoming a French resident will normally result in becoming a fiscal resident of France as well. (this official website may be of use: https://www.impots.gouv.fr/international_en )

If you are considering becoming a French resident, you may wish to do further research at https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en_US/web/france-visas/