OpenTube

Moving to France: The French Visa Application & Requirements Are Easier Than I Thought 🇫🇷

Live Long and Travel

5,281 views

Moving to France: The French Visa Application & Requirements Are Easier Than I Thought 🇫🇷

Can you move to France without hiring an immigration lawyer? In this video, I break down the entire application process for the French Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS Visitor Visa) and share why it is actually simpler than expected.

After selling my house and packing up my life, I am officially getting ready for my VLS-TS visa appointment. While the official France-Visas checklist can feel incredibly vague, I share the exact steps, common hidden traps (like the critical visa duration drop-down menu), and the 7 essential documents you must bring to your appointment to avoid an immediate denial.

From navigating proof of financial resources to securing 90-day accommodations in France and finding affordable expat travel health insurance, I’ve got you covered. If you are planning an expat retirement or moving to France from the USA, watch this before submitting your paperwork!

Don't forget to join our growing community on Facebook at "Live Long and Travel" to connect with other expats and share your journey.
👉 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

France OFFICIAL Visa Application:
👉 https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/deman...

Health Insurance:
👉 Mondassur: http://www.mondassur.com/
👉 Feather: https://feather-insurance.com/

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Post-House Sale Update
01:31 – Is a Visa Handholder Needed?
02:24 – The Application Drop-Down Trap
03:41 – The Visa Document Checklist
04:59 – Passport Rules & Note Verbale
06:57 – The Purpose of a Stay Letter
08:46 – Financial Resources & Bank Statements
11:31 – The 90-Day Accommodation Requirement
13:24 – Expat Health Insurance Costs
15:47 – Total Visa Fees & Photo Sizes
17:49 – Building an Expat Community

#MovingToFrance #FrenchVisa #VLSTSVisa #ExpatInFrance #MoveToFrance #FrenchVisaProcess #ExpatLife #FranceVisas #LivingInFrance #ExpatRetirement #TravelFrance #LiveLongAndTravel

20 Comments

@daniellborson 4 months ago

I'm glad that your journey is progressing smoothly. As I'm about 9 months behind you in my move to Montpellier, I really appreciate these videos, and I especially appreciate you sharing your emotional journey, as well.

@MirandaHorger 4 months ago

I actually really appreciated the reflections on the processing of emotions as you say goodbye to the things that have meant a lot to you, whether possessions or people - keeping it real!

@katherron8789 4 months ago

The application is preparing you for France forms in general. The vague gets to me and so does the goal line moving often at times. But it just becomes part of the norm eventually, but for those of us who like a list of specific requirements it can be tough at times! Good luck, we love montpellier!

@taipontape 4 months ago

great breakdown of the VLS-TS process for anyone planning to move to France 🇫🇷

@thehypearound 3 months ago

Don't stop with these videos. They are so very helpful.

@pamelam.7789 4 months ago

Hi, I just got my visa approved (Long stay visitor), It was fairly straight forward, I showed 3 months of checking account statements for the financial part since I am too young to collect social security right now. The turnaround time was very quick, I had my TLS appointment on May 14 and I got the passport and visa back yesterday. Good Luck to you. I will keep watching your journey.

@dasliebeKind 4 months ago

Thanks Scott, best of luck for your upcoming appointment!

@GinaStAubin-dz7ig 4 months ago

Hi Scott, Thank you for taking time to post your helpful videos. Wish you the best on your move to Montpellier.
I've been in France for 11 months today! There has been a lot to learn along the way. One thing that has been an expensive lesson is not having a current birth certificate with apostille. To all your subscribers, make sure you have a birth certificate that is current. I submitted my birth certificate that was several year old when applying for my Carte Vitale and they replied with a request for an updated version. It has been a costly adventure but after 4 months, I should have the updated BC this week!!

@mrgopherguy 4 months ago

This is very interesting, great to hear of all the items firsthand – and thank you for sharing the screenshots. All the info (tips) regarding three AirBnb’s (which makes canceling easier), and the healthcare, etc… you really packed in a lot of valuable info. Look forward to the financial video, and following your experiences. Much appreciated!

@zeitgeist888 4 months ago

Congrats on moving forward with the home sale and Visa submission. You always sound like you have carefully researched and planned well for each step. It is nice to have an example from friends and others who have already done a step successfully. We moved our move up to mid Aug as flights were cheaper and we found accommodations already in the town we want to move to. It was easier finding a place in France than our local area after our house closes in June. I hope the rest of your journey continues to go smoothly and you get your Visa soon.

@AikoSnoops 4 months ago

It’s so nice to see you back, Scott! I know you’ve been super busy. You must be so relieved to have the packing up behind you.
Your adorable cat walked behind you & disappeared in the blink of an eye!
As always, great video, very informative.

@myitaliantherapyginafiore4414 4 months ago

I left a message earlier. Dont know where it went. So excited for you as your new life unfolds. I'll wait for you to get to Montpellier. See how your process goes for residency and long term rental.
CONGRATS. YOU ROCK! Youre doing amazingly well

@seamusp5991 4 months ago

Thank you, Scott! We’ve definitely seen some of the same videos on line in preparing the application. Lol. I really appreciate all your stories and the detail you’re sharing. 😊

@MaryAnnMroz-h7l 4 months ago

Thanks for this very informative video! I’m not retiring for another 2-4 years but it’s really good to learn all this well beforehand, anyway.

@jesseinasia 4 months ago

3:05 I love the way your cat can just disappear at the blink of an eye. Time travel? Teleporting? Invisibility cloak? ... Great to hear that the house sale went well and the visa process is going smoothly, vagueness notwithstanding. That said, it's the little things and details, like "more than one year", that can make all the difference. All the best, Scott. Cheers!

@danielb9865 4 months ago (edited)

Wishing you all the best! We plan to to do the same late next year. You may know this already, but just in case you don't (considering all the stuff happening), plan for your kids to get the proper health certification. The timing seems very critical. I remember one expat couple with a cat say that the health check certification needs to be done within 10days before their flight to France. This was from the Roaming Retirement if you want to check it out.

@ahjacobs1967 4 months ago

Congratulations! So happy your house sale is final and you are in a short term rental. A lot has happened so quickly for you and I’m sure it’s been stressful but you are so many steps closer to the dream life!

@Staronqueen 4 months ago

One YouTuber explained the financial requirements by saying “the consulate doesn’t want to know how rich you are, they want to see that you have access to a monthly income over the duration of your stay, the duration of the visa. In other words, having money in an investment account is NOT money that is readily available as the funds sitting in a bank account. 9:51

@omjulie 4 months ago

you look so happy .. love that cute shirt. i will watch later. ! so glad for you

@kathleencottle1813 3 months ago (edited)

I prayed for your visa appointment yesterday. Confident all went well and you'll be on your way in September after your good bye tour to friends and family. Party hardy when it arrives!!