Visa, carte de séjour, VLS-TS, récépissé — French immigration terminology can be confusing. This guide breaks down every document, what it costs, and which one you actually need for your move to Paris.
If you’re planning a move to France, you’ve probably come across the terms visa and carte de séjour — and you might be using them interchangeably. Most people do. But here’s the thing: they’re not the same document, they’re not issued by the same authority, and confusing them can lead to real problems down the line.
Your visa is what gets you into France. Your carte de séjour is what lets you stay. One is a sticker in your passport, issued by a French consulate abroad. The other is a credit-card-sized plastic card, issued by a French prefecture once you’re living in the country. Understanding this distinction isn’t just a bureaucratic detail — it directly affects your ability to rent an apartment, open a bank account, access healthcare, and build your life in France.
In this guide, we break down exactly what each document is, how they work together, what they cost, and which one you need based on your situation. Whether you’re relocating for work, joining a partner, studying, or retiring to Paris, this is the clarity you need before you start packing.
Need personalized guidance? Our visa and immigration advisory team helps expats navigate the French immigration system every day. We can help you understand exactly which documents you need.
What Is a French Visa?
A French visa is an authorization issued by a French consulate or embassy outside of France that allows you to enter and reside in French territory. Physically, it’s a sticker (or vignette) placed in your passport. It specifies the purpose of your stay, its duration, and whether you’re allowed to work.
There are two broad categories of French visas, and the one you need depends entirely on how long you plan to stay.
Short-Stay Visa (Visa de Court Séjour)
A short-stay visa covers stays of 90 days or less within a 180-day period. It’s essentially a Schengen visa, valid across the 27 countries in the Schengen Area. You’d use this for tourism, business trips, or short family visits.
Important note: citizens of over 30 countries — including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia — are exempt from short-stay visas. They can enter France (and the entire Schengen Area) as tourists for up to 90 days without any visa at all. If that’s you, and you’re just visiting, you don’t need to apply for anything.
Long-Stay Visa (Visa de Long Séjour)
If you plan to stay in France for more than 90 days — whether for work, studies, family reunification, or retirement — you need a long-stay visa. These visas are valid for anywhere from 4 to 12 months, and they come in many categories: Employee (Salarié), Student (Étudiant), Visitor (Visiteur), Entrepreneur, Talent Passport (Passeport Talent), Private and Family Life (Vie Privée et Familiale), and more.
Long-stay visas are always applied for at the French consulate in your country of residence, typically through the France-Visas online portal. Processing times vary, but expect anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months depending on your category and consulate.
The VLS-TS — A Visa That Acts as a Residence Permit
Here’s where it gets a bit tricky: there’s a special category of long-stay visa called the VLS-TS (Visa de Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour). Translated literally, it’s a “long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit.” This hybrid document functions as both your entry visa and your first residence permit for its duration (usually up to 12 months).
The VLS-TS is the most common document issued to people relocating to France for the first time. If you’re coming as an employee, student, visitor, or spouse of a French citizen, this is almost certainly what you’ll receive.
There’s one critical step with a VLS-TS: you must validate it online within 3 months of arriving in France through the ANEF platform. Failing to validate means your visa loses its residence permit equivalence, and you’d technically be in France illegally. We’ll cover this process in detail below.
Watch out for the VLS-T (temporary long-stay visa) — it looks similar but is much less favorable. The VLS-T lasts less than a year and is not renewable in France, meaning you’d have to leave and reapply from abroad. When applying at the consulate, make it clear that you have long-term plans in France to avoid being issued this less favorable visa type.
What Is a Carte de Séjour?
The carte de séjour — also called titre de séjour (the two terms are used interchangeably in France) — is a residence permit. It’s a physical plastic card, about the size of a credit card, that proves your legal right to live in France. It includes your photo, personal details, validity dates, and the category of your stay (student, employee, visitor, etc.).
Unlike a visa, the carte de séjour is applied for and issued within France, either at your local préfecture (or sous-préfecture) or through the national ANEF online platform. You typically apply for your first carte de séjour when your initial VLS-TS visa is about to expire and you want to continue living in France.
There are several types of cartes de séjour, each with different durations and rights.
Carte de Séjour Temporaire (1-Year Card)
The temporary residence card is valid for one year and is renewable. It’s the most common first carte de séjour issued after your VLS-TS expires. Categories include salarié (employee), étudiant (student), visiteur (visitor), vie privée et familiale (private and family life), and entrepreneur/profession libérale (self-employed).
Carte de Séjour Pluriannuelle (Multi-Year Card)
After your first year on a carte de séjour temporaire, you may be eligible for a multi-year card valid for 2 to 4 years. This is a significant upgrade — fewer renewals, more stability, and a stronger position when you need to prove long-term residency for things like housing or loans. Some Talent Passport categories grant multi-year cards directly, without requiring a one-year card first.
Carte de Résident (10-Year Card)
The carte de résident is the gold standard of French immigration documents. Valid for 10 years and automatically renewable, it grants full work authorization and nearly unrestricted rights. You can typically apply for this after 5 years of legal, continuous residence in France, or after 3 years of marriage to a French citizen. Applicants must demonstrate stable income and sign the Republican Integration Contract (Contrat d’Intégration Républicaine, or CIR).
Carte de Résident Permanent
For those who have held a carte de résident for 10 years, France offers a permanent residence permit with no expiration date. This is the closest thing to citizenship without actually naturalizing, and it allows you to live and work in France indefinitely.
Visa vs. Carte de Séjour — Key Differences at a Glance
| Visa | Carte de Séjour | |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Authorization to enter France | Authorization to stay in France |
| Physical format | Sticker in your passport | Plastic card (credit card size) |
| Issued by | French consulate/embassy abroad | Prefecture in France (or ANEF online) |
| Where to apply | Outside France | Inside France |
| Validity | Up to 12 months | 1 year to permanent |
| Renewable? | No (you apply for a carte de séjour instead) | Yes (at the prefecture) |
| When you need it | Before traveling to France | To continue living in France after your visa expires |
Think of it this way: the visa is your entry ticket. The carte de séjour is your membership card. You need the first one to get in, and the second one to keep your seat.
The VLS-TS Explained — When Your Visa Is Also Your Residence Permit
The VLS-TS is the document that causes the most confusion — and understandably so. It’s a long-stay visa, but it also functions as a residence permit for its duration. So while you hold a VLS-TS, you don’t need a separate carte de séjour. The visa itself gives you the right to both enter and remain in France.
However, the VLS-TS comes with a non-negotiable requirement: online validation within 3 months of arrival.
How to Validate Your VLS-TS Online
The validation process is entirely digital and takes about 15–20 minutes. Here’s what you need to do:
- Go to the ANEF platform (administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr)
- Enter your visa information: visa number, dates of validity, date of issue, and reason for stay
- Provide your French address (this is where OFII correspondence will be sent)
- Pay the applicable tax online via credit card — currently €200 for most categories. If you don’t have a French bank card yet, you can purchase an electronic stamp (timbre électronique) at any tobacco shop (tabac)
- Download and save your validation confirmation — this document serves as proof of your legal status in France
What Happens If You Miss the 3-Month Deadline?
If you fail to validate within 3 months, your VLS-TS loses its equivalence as a residence permit. You would technically no longer be legally present in France and could face difficulties re-entering the Schengen Area. You’d need to apply for a new visa from outside France to return. This is one deadline you absolutely cannot afford to miss.
The OFII Medical Exam
After validating your VLS-TS, the OFII (French Office of Immigration and Integration) may schedule you for a medical examination. This is a standard procedure — it typically includes a basic health check, vaccination review, and a tuberculosis screening. The exam is free and usually takes about an hour. Some categories, such as Visitor visa holders, will receive an automatic appointment notification; others may need to take the initiative to schedule it themselves.
Récépissé and APS — Temporary Documents You Should Know About
During your time in France, you’ll likely encounter two other types of immigration documents — especially during renewal periods.
The récépissé is a temporary receipt issued by the prefecture when you’ve filed for a renewal or a change of immigration status. It’s proof that your application is being processed and that you’re legally allowed to remain in France while you wait. Récépissés are generally valid for 3 months and are renewed automatically if the prefecture hasn’t finished processing your case. They typically (but not always) carry the same work and travel rights as the permit you’re renewing.
The APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) is a provisional stay authorization. It’s a broader catch-all category, used in situations where a standard récépissé doesn’t apply. For instance, graduates of French universities can receive an APS allowing them to remain in France for up to 12 months while looking for work related to their degree. APS documents can also be issued in exceptional circumstances — during the COVID lockdowns, for example, many foreigners in irregular situations received APSes to remain legally in France.
How Much Does It Cost?
French immigration documents aren’t free, and the costs can add up. Here’s a breakdown of the main fees you should budget for:
| Document | Current Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Long-stay visa application | €99 | Paid at the consulate; non-refundable |
| VLS-TS validation (OFII tax) | €200 | Paid online or via electronic stamp |
| Carte de séjour temporaire (1-year) | €225 | Paid via tax stamps when collecting the card |
| Carte de séjour pluriannuelle | €225 | Same fee as the 1-year card |
| Carte de résident (10-year) | €225 | May increase under 2026 budget proposals |
| Late application penalty | €180 | Added if you apply after your permit expires |
| Duplicate (lost/stolen card) | €25 | May increase to €50 under proposed changes |
Heads up: France’s draft 2026 budget includes significant fee increases for most immigration documents. The 10-year carte de résident could rise from €225 to €300, and other permit categories are expected to increase by 30–50%. If you’re planning a move, factoring in these potential cost increases is wise.
Read next: What It Costs to Rent in Paris: Rent, Fees, and Hidden Costs — immigration fees are just one part of your total relocation budget.
Which Document Do You Need? A Quick Decision Guide
With so many categories and acronyms, it’s easy to feel lost. Here’s a simplified overview based on the most common relocation scenarios:
Moving to France for Work
Your employer initiates a work permit request through the ANEF platform. Once approved, you apply for a VLS-TS “Salarié” (employee) or “Travailleur Temporaire” (temporary worker) visa at the consulate. After arrival, you validate the VLS-TS online. Before it expires, you apply at the prefecture for a carte de séjour temporaire, then eventually a multi-year card. Highly qualified workers may qualify for a Talent Passport (Passeport Talent), which grants a multi-year card valid up to 4 years from the start.
Moving to France for Studies
You’ll need a VLS-TS “Étudiant” after being accepted by a French institution. Apply through Campus France and then the France-Visas portal. After the first year, you can apply for a multi-year carte de séjour covering the remaining duration of your program.
Joining a French Spouse
If you’re married to a French citizen and living abroad, you’ll apply for a VLS-TS “Vie Privée et Familiale”. After the first year, you may be eligible for a carte de séjour in the same category, and after 3 years of marriage, you can apply for the 10-year carte de résident.
Retiring or Working Remotely
The Visitor visa (Visiteur) is your most likely path. It’s designed for people who can demonstrate financial self-sufficiency and who commit to not seeking employment in France. Crucially, it does allow teleworking for a non-French employer. After the first VLS-TS year, you renew annually at the prefecture, and after two years you may apply for a multi-year card (A2 French language level required).
Already in France and Need to Renew
If your VLS-TS or carte de séjour is expiring, you must apply for renewal at your local préfecture — typically through the Service-Public.fr website or the ANEF portal — at least 2 months before the expiry date. You’ll receive a récépissé as temporary proof of legal status while your application is processed.
Read next: Moving to Paris from the US – The Ultimate 2026 Guide — a comprehensive walkthrough for American expats covering visas, housing, healthcare, and more.
Why Your Immigration Status Matters for Settling In
Understanding the visa vs. carte de séjour distinction isn’t just an academic exercise — it has very real, practical consequences for your daily life in France, especially when it comes to housing, banking, and healthcare.
Impact on Apartment Hunting
Landlords and rental agencies in Paris will ask to see proof of legal residency as part of your dossier (dossier de location). A valid VLS-TS or carte de séjour is expected. If you’ve just arrived and your VLS-TS isn’t yet validated, this can complicate applications. Some landlords may hesitate if your permit is about to expire, or if you can only show a récépissé — even though it’s a perfectly legal document.
This is one of the many reasons expats struggle in the Parisian rental market. Having your immigration documents in order — validated, current, and easy to present — is one less obstacle between you and a signed lease.
Read next: Documents Needed to Rent an Apartment in Paris — the complete dossier checklist for expats, including how to present your immigration documents.
Opening a French Bank Account
French banks generally require a valid residence permit to open an account. Some banks — like BNP Paribas — are more accommodating with foreigners who don’t yet have a carte de séjour, but most will ask for either a validated VLS-TS or a carte de séjour. Having this document ready upon arrival dramatically speeds up your settling-in process.
Accessing Healthcare (CPAM)
To register with France’s public health insurance system (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie, or CPAM), you need to prove stable, legal residency — typically at least 3 months. Your validated VLS-TS or carte de séjour is the key document for this. Without it, you’ll rely on private health insurance, which can be expensive.
Timeline Alignment
Here’s something most guides don’t mention: your immigration timeline and your apartment search timeline need to be synchronized. You need a French address to validate your VLS-TS, and you need a validated VLS-TS to build a strong rental dossier. Planning ahead — ideally securing temporary housing before arrival — breaks this chicken-and-egg problem.
Read next: Paris Apartment Guarantor Guide: 6 Options for Expats — if you don’t have a French guarantor, these alternatives can help strengthen your dossier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “titre de séjour” the same as “carte de séjour”?
In everyday usage, yes — the French use these terms interchangeably, and both refer to the plastic residence permit card. Technically, titre de séjour refers to the legal right to reside in France, while carte de séjour refers to the physical card that proves that right. But in practice, you don’t need to worry about the distinction.
Can I work in France with just a visa?
It depends on the visa category. A VLS-TS “Salarié” or “Passeport Talent” includes work authorization. A VLS-TS “Visiteur” explicitly prohibits working for a French employer — but allows remote work for a non-French company. A student visa permits part-time work (up to 964 hours per year). Always check the specific mention on your visa.
Can I travel outside France with a récépissé?
This is a grey area. A récépissé is generally valid for remaining in France, but it may not guarantee re-entry into the Schengen Area. If you need to travel while waiting for your carte de séjour, check with your prefecture first. Some récépissés explicitly include a mention authorizing travel; others don’t.
Do EU citizens need a carte de séjour?
No. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can live and work in France freely without a visa or carte de séjour. However, non-EU spouses of EU citizens do need to apply for a specific residence permit (carte de séjour “membre de la famille d’un citoyen de l’UE”), which is filed directly at the prefecture rather than through a consulate abroad.
How early should I start the visa process?
At least 3 to 6 months before your planned move. Consulate appointment availability, document gathering, and processing times all add up. For work visas that require employer-initiated permits, the timeline can stretch even longer.
What if I’m in France on a tourist stay and want to switch to a long-stay visa?
In most cases, you cannot switch from a tourist stay to a long-stay visa while in France. You’ll generally need to return to your country of residence and apply at the French consulate there. There are a few narrow exceptions (marriage to a French citizen, for instance), but they involve complex procedures at the prefecture. Don’t enter France as a tourist with the intention of staying long-term — it can result in serious legal consequences.
The Bottom Line
The French immigration system is layered, and the terminology can feel overwhelming at first. But once you understand that a visa gets you in and a carte de séjour keeps you in, everything else falls into place. The VLS-TS bridges the gap between the two, acting as both entry authorization and temporary residence permit for your first year.
The most important takeaways: apply for the right visa category before your move, validate your VLS-TS within 3 months of arrival, and start preparing your carte de séjour renewal well before your current permit expires. And don’t underestimate how much your immigration status affects practical things like finding an apartment and setting up a bank account — these processes are all connected.
If you’re feeling uncertain about which visa path is right for you, or if you want someone to help coordinate the many moving parts of a Paris relocation, book a free consultation with our team. We help expats navigate exactly these questions every day — and we can connect you with specialized immigration attorneys for complex cases.
