A free PDF guide — means from €1,867 a month
A guide to the visiteurvisa for France
A long-stay visa for living in France on your own means: no investment and no quotas, with a decision in 2-3 months. We set out the threshold by family, the validation after the entry and the path to citizenship.
- PDF in English
- Free of charge
- Verified on 12.08.2026
- Sent by email, WhatsApp or Telegram
Preliminary information is not a guarantee of approval. The decision is the consulate’s.
01 / The essentials first
What to know about the visa before you file
Four things that decide the threshold and what the applicant undertakes.
- It is arranged quickly
One of the quickest European visas for living on your own means: 2-3 months from filing to the decision, with no quotas and no investment.
- The threshold is counted from the SMIC
The requirement is means no lower than the annual minimum wage: €22,404 a year, about €1,867 a month for the applicant.
- An undertaking not to work
The applicant signs an undertaking not to carry on any professional activity in France. Income from abroad is no obstacle to it.
- The road to citizenship is shorter
France considers naturalisation after 5 years of residence — sooner than most of its neighbours.
02 / The means
How much has to be evidenced
Set out the family: the requirement is counted from the annual SMIC for each adult.
03 / The family
How the threshold changes with the family
For each adult the requirement is counted afresh; children are counted more lightly.
The values were checked against the official material on 12.08.2026. Only the rows for which there is no official wording are marked separately.
| Criterion | OneA single applicant | A coupleThe applicant and a spouse |
|---|---|---|
| The means for the year | €22,404 | €44,808 |
| A month | €1,867 | €3,734 |
| How it is counted | the annual SMIC | the SMIC for each adult |
| Work in France | prohibited | prohibited to both |
| The visa | 1 year, renewable | 1 year, renewable |
| Housing | a lease or property of your own | a lease or property of your own |
| Citizenship | after 5 years | after 5 years |
- The means for the year
- €22,404
- €44,808
- A month
- €1,867
- €3,734
- How it is counted
- the annual SMIC
- the SMIC for each adult
- Work in France
- prohibited
- prohibited to both
- The visa
- 1 year, renewable
- 1 year, renewable
- Housing
- a lease or property of your own
- a lease or property of your own
- Citizenship
- after 5 years
- after 5 years
The means are evidenced by income, by savings or by a combination — what matters is that they can be proved for the life of the visa.
04 / The country
What the country looks like
Briefly about the country and about what sets the terms of the visa.
- The essentials firstThe key facts of the programme: what decides the matter.
- A comparisonThe thresholds and the terms of the programme in one table.
- How the work runsThe process step by step — from the check to the documents.
- The analysisWhat is checked before the status is granted.
- The limitsWhat affects the timings, the costs and keeping the status.
- Your teamWho runs the case and what each specialist answers for.
05 / The order of work
How the process runs
The filing goes through France-Visas, and after the entry there is a required step — the validation.
- The means are checked
We look at the income and the savings: the threshold is counted from the annual SMIC for each adult in the application.
- Housing and documents
A lease or property, medical insurance, a certificate of no criminal record.
- The application through France-Visas
The form online, an appointment at the visa centre, the biometrics and the originals.
- The consulate’s decision
The application is considered and the long-stay visiteur visa issued.
- Validation with the OFII
After the entry the visa is validated with the migration office — without that step the status does not exist.
- Renewal at the prefecture
After a year the status is renewed at the prefecture for your place of residence. The whole process takes 2-3 months.
07 / The check
What the consulate examines
The means and where they came from, the housing, the insurance and the signed undertaking not to work.
- The means and where they came from
Statements, income certificates and documents on the assets for the recent months.
- The undertaking not to work
A signed declaration that you will carry on no professional activity in France.
- Housing
A lease, a title deed, or confirmation that a host will receive you.
- Insurance
Medical cover for the whole period until you join the French system.
The commonest mistake is missing the validation of the visa after the entry: without it the stay becomes unlawful.
08 / The limits
What to take into account in advance
Five limits that bear on the status and on tax.
You may not workAn undertaking is signed
Any professional activity in France is prohibited on this ground.
Validation is requiredWith the OFII after the entry
Without it the visa does not turn into a residence permit, and the stay becomes unlawful.
Renewal every yearThrough the prefecture
Getting an appointment at the prefecture takes time: file in good time.
Tax residenceAfter 183 days
France taxes the worldwide income of its residents, and the rates are high — plan before the move.
French for citizenshipThe examination is required
Naturalisation after 5 years needs an evidenced level of the language and integration.
09 / Your team
Who runs your case
The work is led by specialists who deal with France-Visas, the OFII and the prefectures.
The editorial record
The material was prepared and checked by
- First published
- 12 August 2026
- Last updated
- 12 August 2026
The official sources
- France-Visas: the long-stay visiteur visaThe Ministry of the Interior of France · checked 12.08.2026The terms of the category, the requirements on means and the set of documents.
- CESEDA — the code on the entry and stay of foreignersLégifrance · checked 12.08.2026The legal basis of a stay without the right to carry on professional activity.
- Validating the visa after entryThe French administration, Service-Public.fr · checked 12.08.2026How the long-stay visa is confirmed with the migration office.
10 / Common questions
Questions about the visiteur visa
How much in means is needed?
€22,404 a year for the applicant, about €1,867 a month. For a spouse the requirement doubles.
May I work?
No, the applicant signs an undertaking not to carry on professional activity in France. Income from abroad is allowed.
What is validation with the OFII?
Confirming the visa with the migration office after the entry. Without it the status does not exist.
Do I need housing in advance?
Yes, proof of where you will live is part of the pack when you file.
How long is the visa granted for?
1 year, then renewed at the prefecture for your place of residence.
When can I apply for citizenship?
France considers naturalisation after 5 years of residence, with the language evidenced and integration shown.
What about tax?
After 183 days you are a tax resident of France and declare your worldwide income. The rates are high — we work the sums out in advance.
How long does the process take?
2-3 months from filing through France-Visas to the visa.
Free of charge
Take the guide and the calculation of means
We will send the PDF with the requirements and a preliminary calculation for your family.
- The threshold of means for every member of the family
- What the undertaking not to work covers
- Validating the visa after entry, step by step
- The terms of renewal and the path to citizenship