Visitor residence permit in France — Visiteur
The French “Visitor” (Visiteur) residence permit for financially independent people, without the right to work as an employee; family members can be included.
- A financially independent person who does not plan to work and can evidence living on their own means
Who it suits
- A financially independent person who does not plan to work and can evidence living on their own means
- People relocating
- Families
- Remote professionals
What the service includes
| Choosing the ground that fits your case | |
| Preparing and filing the documents | |
| Support until the status is granted | |
| Government fees and visa fees— billed separately | |
| Flights and accommodation— billed separately |
Official terms
Financial requirement
A benchmark of about €30,000 in savings and €3,000/month of income (depends on the consulate)
Timelines and rights
Review time
A type D visa / VLS-TS, validated after entry; the timeline depends on the consulate
Right to work
No — the key restriction
Residence conditions
Residence without any employment activity
Source: service-public.gouv.fr — long-stay “visiteur” visa · checked 2026-08-07
Documents and programme requirements
- 1A passport
- 2Proof of income or of the ground
What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship
Route to permanent residence
Harder: a long-standing centre of life in France is required
Route to citizenship
Only under the general conditions for naturalisation
Related breakdowns
Residence permit costs in 2026: 51 countries in one table
Income and investment thresholds for residence permits in 51 countries: remote work, passive income, business and investment, from official programme terms.
France's start-up visa: the talent card — porteur de projet
Three routes on the French talent card: a company from 30,000 €, a project recognised by the ministry, investment from 300,000 €. Fees and timelines.
Europe's startup visas: France, Spain, Portugal, Estonia
Four startup routes compared: who assesses the project, how much money to show, how long a decision takes and where Russian citizens are not accepted.
We'll check your case before you pay
Send an enquiry — we will check your case and help you arrange “Visitor residence permit in France — Visiteur” in France. No markup on top.
We'll cover: whether you qualify, the full cost with fees, realistic timelines, the document list. If it's not for you, we'll say so.