Visitor residence permit: living in France without working

The residence permit with "visitor" status allows foreigners to reside in France without working, provided they have sufficient resources.

This guide explains the requirements, procedure, and necessary documents to obtain this permit.

🏖️ What is a visitor residence permit?

The temporary "visitor" residence card is a multi-year residence permit valid for 4 years, renewable, allowing you to:

Legally reside in France
Not work (neither as an employee nor self-employed)
Live off your own resources (retirement, annuities, property income)

It's the ideal permit for:

Retirees wishing to live in France
People with passive income (property, annuities)
Independent means holders

✅ Requirements to obtain the visitor permit

1. Sufficient and stable resources

You must prove monthly income at least equal to the minimum wage (approximately €1,801 net/month in 2025) for the entire duration of your stay.

Accepted income sources:

Retirement pension
Life annuities
Property income (real estate, financial investments)
Significant savings (under certain conditions)

Not accepted:

Salaries (due to work prohibition)
Professional activity income
French social benefits (RSA, AAH, etc.)

2. Commitment not to work

You must commit to not engaging in any professional activity in France (neither as an employee nor self-employed).

⚠️ Any professional activity is strictly prohibited and may result in permit revocation.

3. Health insurance

You must provide proof of health insurance covering your healthcare costs in France.

Options:

Private insurance (international contract)
PUMA enrollment (Universal Health Protection) after 3 months of residence
Social coverage from your home country (if bilateral agreement exists)

4. No threat to public order

You must not represent a threat to public order (no serious criminal convictions).

📋 Required documents

Personal documents

Residence permit application form
Valid passport
Long-stay visitor visa (if first application from abroad)
Proof of address in France (lease, bills)
Standard ID photos
Birth certificate with certified translation

Proof of resources

Bank statements from the last 6 months (showing regular income ≥ minimum wage)
Bank certificate from your bank confirming your resources
Retirement pension certificates or annuities
Tax returns or non-taxation certificates (France or home country)
Asset certificate (real estate, investments)

Health insurance

Health insurance certificate covering your costs in France (minimum €30,000 coverage)

Commitment

Written commitment not to work in France

🏛️ Application procedure

From abroad (first application)

Step 1: Apply for a long-stay visitor visa

Submit your long-stay visa application to the French consulate in your country.

Documents: proof of resources, health insurance, commitment not to work.

Processing time: 15 days to 3 months.

Step 2: Enter France

Once you obtain the visa, enter France and validate your VLS-TS on the ANEF platform within 3 months.

Step 3: Renewal as multi-year card

At the end of the first year, apply for renewal as a multi-year "visitor" residence card (4 years) at the prefecture.

From France (status change)

If you are already in France with another permit (student, employee), you can request a status change to visitor.

Requirements:

Prove sufficient resources
Commit to cease all professional activity

Procedure:

Make an appointment at the prefecture
Submit application with proof of resources
Receive a receipt during processing
Collect the card if approved

⏳ Processing times

Long-stay visa: 15 days to 3 months
Renewal in France: 2 to 6 months

💶 Cost of visitor permit

Long-stay visa (consulate): €99
VLS-TS validation: €50
Visitor residence card: €225 (renewal)

Total first year: approximately €275 to €375.

🔄 Visitor permit renewal

Renewal must be done 2 to 4 months before expiration.

Requirements:

Resources still sufficient (≥ minimum wage)
Compliance with commitment not to work
Habitual residence in France (no prolonged absences)

Documents:

Updated proof of resources (bank statements, pensions)
Health insurance certificate
Proof of address

❌ Grounds for refusal and revocation

Refusal to issue

Insufficient resources (< minimum wage)
No guarantees on resource sustainability
Insufficient health insurance
Doubt about intention not to work

Permit revocation

The permit may be revoked if:

You work (even occasionally)
Your resources become insufficient
You represent a threat to public order

Appeals

You can file:

Administrative appeal to the prefect
Legal appeal to the administrative court (2 months)

🚫 Prohibitions and limitations

Work prohibition

You cannot:

Work as an employee
Create or manage a business in France
Practice a liberal profession
Receive income from professional activity in France

⚠️ Any professional activity results in permit revocation and possible deportation order.

Authorized activities

You may:

Volunteer with an association (unpaid)
Study or take courses (but this may require applying for a student status change)
Personal activities (leisure, travel)

🔑 Transition to permanent residence card

After 5 years holding the visitor permit, you can apply for a 10-year resident card (subject to integration requirements: A2 language level, knowledge of French Republican values).

🤝 VisaPref supports you

Obtaining a visitor residence permit requires solid proof of your resources and commitment not to work.

At VisaPref, we help you:

Assess your eligibility
Prepare a complete application (resources, insurance, commitment)
Prepare financial documentation
Track your application at the consulate or prefecture

👉 Contact us for personalized support.

❓ FAQ – Visitor residence permit

1. Can I work remotely for a foreign company with a visitor permit?

No, any professional activity, even for a foreign employer, is prohibited. If you work remotely, you must apply for an employee residence permit or talent passport.

2. Can I receive my French pension with a visitor permit?

Yes, receiving a retirement pension (French or foreign) is allowed and even recommended to prove your resources.

3. Can my spouse work if I have a visitor permit?

If your spouse joins you in France (family reunification), they will obtain a "private and family life" permit allowing them to work.

4. How long can I stay outside France with a visitor permit?

You must maintain your habitual residence in France. Prolonged absences (more than 6 months per year) may jeopardize your permit.

5. Can I buy real estate in France with a visitor permit?

Yes, you can buy real estate in France, but this does not exempt you from proving sufficient monthly income to live.