As we have previously reported on these pages, non-EEA nationals seeking to remain in France for longer than 3 months, or who wish to relocate to France to live, must apply for an entry visa.
The visas vary by type of applicant (business, student, family, researcher, talent), but the one that will normally be issued will be a 'Visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour (VLS-TS) «visiteur».
The application is made on-line at France Visas.
The application cannot be made earlier than 90 days before your departure.
Granting of a visa is subject to a test of resources and to health insurance.
In relation to the resources test, the law states that the visa is granted subject to the applicant having 'sufficient resources'. For those not seeking to obtain permanent residence in France, the consulate use a daily minimum sum, starting at around €34 per day per person. You can see more at Venir en France.
Where permanent residence will later be sought (carte de séjour) the law states that the income must be at least equivalent to the minimum working wage, called 'SMIC'.
The level of the SMIC goes up each year and it has already risen twice this year, due to inflation.
UPDATE May 2026 - the current figure is €1,443 net per month per person, or €17,317 per year. In June 2026, that will increase to €1,477 per month or €17,733 per year. These figures are the ‘net’ figures, after deduction of social charges.
For the purposes of assessing entitlement to a visa, the authorities use the net figure.
Hitherto, in the case of those relocating from the UK, the consulate in London have adopted a relaxed interpretation of the regulations, such that the minimum income requirement for a single person was deemed as also being acceptable for a couple.
However, in recent weeks a tougher policy has been in place so that a higher income test is now being applied.
We have spoken to the consulate in London on this matter, who have confirmed the new higher minimum requirement.
Although strictly speaking a couple should have income no less than twice the minimum working wage, the consulate have stated that around 1.5 SMIC (UPDATED May 2026) would be an acceptable income for a couple.
In considering the level required for a couple/family, the consulate advise us that the figure will be examined "taking into account their circumstances and their project as a whole." That does suggest there is some room for discretion. However, they also remind us that the law states that the legal requirement for a residence permit is SMIC PER PERSON so there will be a limit to just how much discretion they will use.
Those merely seeking an extended visit to France (second home owners for instance) will be treated more lightly, as they are not proposing to settle in France. In such cases, the daily minimum requirement is all that should be necessary.
Your income must be 'stable et régulière.'
Where you are unable to meet the minimum income requirement, there remains the option to use capital, provided it was sufficient to cover the period of the visa. Thus, a couple would either need to demonstrate that they had the minimum figure a year for permanent relocation, in either income or a mix of income and capital.
Nevertheless, if capital is used to supplement an income, on application for a residence permit at the end of 12 months if your income remained the same it would be necessary to demonstrate that sufficient capital was still available to meet the minimum income requirement. In such circumstances, it is possible your visa would then be renewed on an annual basis, and that the standard 5-year residence permit would not be granted.
Officials can also accept a lower figure than stated for permanent residence, provided the applicant can demonstrate that they are mortgage and rent free, a concession that is provided for in law, as follows:
''Lorsque les ressources du demandeur ne sont pas suffisantes, une décision favorable peut être prise si le demandeur justifie être propriétaire de son logement ou en jouir à titre gratuit.'
So if you already own a property in France, to which you seek to relocate permanently, and you have no mortgage, it is likely you will be able to get away with a lower income threshold.
The law also provides that those with a major disability, and in receipt of long-term disability benefit, may be granted a visa if they do not meet the SMIC threshold.
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