VLS-TS: Long-Stay Visa as Residence Permit

VLS-TS: Long-Stay Visa as Residence Permit - Complete Guide

The VLS-TS (Visa Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour) is a visa that serves as a residence permit during the first year of your stay in France.

This guide explains how to validate your VLS-TS, what types of VLS-TS exist, and how to transition to a residence card.

📄 What is the VLS-TS?

The VLS-TS is a long-stay visa affixed in your passport by the French consulate in your home country.

It allows you to:

Enter France
Reside legally for 1 year
Work (if the visa mention authorizes it)

⚠️ The VLS-TS must be validated online within 3 months of your arrival in France.

✅ Types of VLS-TS

The VLS-TS exists for several stay categories:

1. VLS-TS Student

For pursuing higher education in France.

Duration: 1 year (renewable as a multi-year residence card)

Work authorization: 964 hours/year (approximately 20h/week)

2. VLS-TS Visitor

To reside in France without working, with sufficient resources.

Duration: 1 year (renewable)

Work authorization: No

3. VLS-TS Employee / Temporary Worker

To engage in salaried activity in France.

Duration: 1 year (renewable)

Work authorization: Yes

4. VLS-TS Private and Family Life

To join a spouse or family member in France.

Duration: 1 year (renewable)

Work authorization: Yes

5. VLS-TS Entrepreneur / Liberal Profession

To start or take over a business in France.

Duration: 1 year (renewable)

Work authorization: Self-employment only

6. VLS-TS Passeport Talent

Some passeport talent categories start with a 1-year VLS-TS, then transition to a 4-year card.

🏛️ VLS-TS Validation: mandatory procedure

Why validate?

Without validation, your VLS-TS is not recognized as a residence permit and you risk:

A fine (up to €180)
A refusal to renew your residence permit
Difficulties traveling in the Schengen area

How to validate?

Step 1: Create an account on the ANEF website

Go to administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr

Step 2: Fill out the online form

Provide:

Your personal information
Your visa information
A copy of your passport and visa
Your address in France

Step 3: Pay the validation tax

Amount: €50 (payable online by credit card)

Step 4: Receive confirmation

You will receive a validation certificate by email. This certificate proves your legal status in France.

Validation deadline

You must validate your VLS-TS within 3 months of your arrival in France.

⚠️ After this deadline, you must make an appointment at the prefecture to regularize your situation (longer and more expensive process).

⏳ Validity period

The VLS-TS is valid for 12 months from the entry date in France mentioned on the visa.

🔄 Renewal: transition to residence card

At the end of the first year, you must request the renewal of your residence permit.

When to submit the application?

2 to 4 months before the expiration of the VLS-TS.

Procedure

Step 1: Make an appointment

On your prefecture's website or via the ANEF platform.

Step 2: Prepare your file

Gather all supporting documents according to your stay category:

Proof of income
School enrollment certificate (for students)
Employment contract (for employees)
Proof of cohabitation (for spouses)
Etc.

Step 3: Submit the application

Attend the appointment with all your documents.

You will receive a receipt of application valid for 3 to 6 months, renewable.

Step 4: Collect the residence card

Once your application is accepted, you will receive a laminated residence card (temporary or multi-year depending on your situation).

💶 Cost of VLS-TS and renewal

VLS-TS validation: €50
Consular fees (when applying for visa in your country): €99
Renewal as residence card: €225 (employee, private and family life) or €75 (student)

Total first year + renewal: approximately €200 to €400.

🛂 Traveling with a VLS-TS

During the validity period of the VLS-TS (after validation), you can:

Move freely in the Schengen area (up to 90 days per 180 days in other Schengen countries)
Leave and return to France freely

⚠️ Always keep:

Your passport with the VLS-TS
Your ANEF validation certificate

❌ Common mistakes to avoid

❌ Not validating the VLS-TS within 3 months: fine + risk of renewal refusal
❌ Forgetting to request renewal: if your VLS-TS expires, you are in irregular status
❌ Submitting the renewal application too late: risk of break in stay between two permits
❌ Working without authorization (for VLS-TS visitor): risk of permit revocation

🤝 VisaPref supports you

VLS-TS validation and transition to residence card are crucial steps. A mistake can compromise your stay in France.

At VisaPref, we support you to:

Validate your VLS-TS correctly
Prepare your renewal file
Verify that you still meet the requirements
Maximize your chances of obtaining the residence card

👉 Contact us for personalized support.

❓ FAQ – VLS-TS

1. What happens if I forget to validate my VLS-TS?

You must make an appointment at the prefecture to regularize your situation. You risk a fine and difficulties renewing your permit.

2. Can I work with a VLS-TS?

It depends on the mention on the visa:

VLS-TS student: yes, 964 hours/year
VLS-TS employee: yes, without limitation
VLS-TS visitor: no
VLS-TS private and family life: yes

3. Can I travel outside France with a VLS-TS?

Yes, you can move within the Schengen area and return to France, as long as your VLS-TS is valid.

4. How long does it take to obtain the residence card after the VLS-TS?

Allow 2 to 6 months between submitting the renewal application and receiving the residence card.

5. Can the VLS-TS be refused at renewal?

Yes, if you no longer meet the initial conditions (job loss, stopped studying, end of cohabitation, etc.), your renewal may be refused.