Travel to and from France with a VLS-T 

Introduction

This page provides guidance about travel to and from France when you hold a VLS-T visa.  

It was revised in September 2023 where it was split into two with the second part discussing Mixing the VLS-T visa with Schengen 90/180

It is written in the context of those who travel by plane, car or ferry.  Things may be different for those who enter and exit France in private boats and are therefore subject to port of entry and exit rules where passports are usually stamped.   

These pages do not apply to TCNs (e.g. Indian nationals) who require a visa to visit the EU for a trip of any length.

Visa Length

Arrival and Departure Dates

The visa start and end dates are the maximum limits of the visa.  You do not have to stay for the full length of the visa. 

• You may trigger the start of the visa at any time on or after the start date. 

• You may exit France and thus the visa period at anytime on or before the end date.

You cannot shorten an existing visa

The visa dates form part of the visa stamp in your passport. The French Consulate has confirmed that it is not possible to amend the end date of an existing visa. 

You can request a shorter future visa.

• It is possible to request a future visa of 4 or 5 months

• The request is made in writing at the time of the appointment. It should be on a stand alone page and pointed out to TLS at the appointment to ensure it is not overlooked

• The Consulate has stated that you must request 4 or five months, you cannot specify a visa end date.

• Experience to February 2023 was most requests were granted but that it could not be guaranteed.

• However as you can now apply for a visa six months in advance of the visa start date AND if the visa is in the next calendar year there is no "^ month rule" then few people will need for a short visa. 

The VLS-T visa is a multi-entry visa

During the visa period you may enter/leave France as many times as you like.

If you transit into another country in the Schengen Area then you will accumulate Schengen 90/180 days until you either leave the Schengen Area or return to France.

Mixing the VLS-T visa with Schengen 90/180

Click here.

The potential impact of the new EU Entry and Exit System if you hold a visa

Click here