Can you stay in France for 6 months

[Pudsey Bear]

Can you stay in France for 6 months?

Yes, BUT...

To stay in France for more than 90 days and up to 6 months, you typically apply for a Temporary Long-Stay Visa (VLS-T).
Google +2

Key Features of the 6-Month VLS-T Visa

• Purpose: Designed for stays between 4 and 6 months for reasons such as tourism, personal visits, or short-term courses.
• Non-Renewable: Unlike the standard 12-month long-stay visa (VLS-TS), the 6-month VLS-T cannot be extended or converted into a residence permit from within France.
• Multiple Entry: It allows you to enter and leave France multiple times during its validity.
• Schengen Travel: You can travel to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period while your French visa is valid.
• No Validation Required: Unlike the 12-month visa, you generally do not need to "validate" this visa online or attend a medical exam after arriving in France.
  FrenchEntrée +4

Requirements and Application
To qualify, you must demonstrate the following through the official France-Visas portal:

• Financial Means: Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself for the entire 6 months (roughly €1,300–€1,400 monthly or a total of ~€8,400 in savings).
• Accommodation: Proof of a place to stay, such as a rental agreement, property deed, or a letter from a host.
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive travel health insurance covering the full duration of your stay with a minimum of €30,000 in coverage.
• Timeline: You can apply up to 6 months before your planned departure, and it is recommended to apply at least 1 month in advance to account for processing.
  FrenchEntrée +3

Important Considerations

• The "90/180 Rule": If you are from a visa-exempt country (like the UK), you can technically use your 90-day visa-free allowance either before or after the 6-month visa period, but you must be careful not to overstay your cumulative allowance.
• Frequency: For certain applicants (such as UK residents), the consulate may limit you to one 6-month VLS-T per calendar year, or require a 6-month gap between visas.
  FrenchEntrée +4

 

[barryd]

Been covered a lot Kev on the forums. I considered it but its a right ball ache to get, costs several hundred pounds with no guarantees or your money back if you fail. It also involves two visits (might be one now) to an approved centre and my nearest is a 240 mile round trip.

I still might go for it at some point. I saw the other day that someone had managed to get a 12 month visa but there are other complications with that as regards tax and exporting your vehicle if you stay in France for more than six months.

Glad I did those many years of epic long Euro trips when we could.

 

[trevskoda]

Not much paperwork ask for back in the day, least they forget.

 

[Boris7]

Don’t understand the issue Kev

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Don’t understand the issue Kev

That's cos you're more cleverer than me Kev.

 

[Boris7]

That's cos you're more cleverer than me Kev.

No mate, just more Irish than you.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Only just

 

[Boris7]

You don’t actually need an Irish passport Kev, just walk through customs backwards while shacking your head.
Fools them everytime.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I could get one, just don't need one, Liz can't cope with being one to one with me for that long, that works both ways

 

[marchie]

Can you stay in France for 6 months?

Yes, BUT...

To stay in France for more than 90 days and up to 6 months, you typically apply for a Temporary Long-Stay Visa (VLS-T).
Google +2

Key Features of the 6-Month VLS-T Visa

• Purpose: Designed for stays between 4 and 6 months for reasons such as tourism, personal visits, or short-term courses.
• Non-Renewable: Unlike the standard 12-month long-stay visa (VLS-TS), the 6-month VLS-T cannot be extended or converted into a residence permit from within France.
• Multiple Entry: It allows you to enter and leave France multiple times during its validity.
• Schengen Travel: You can travel to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period while your French visa is valid.
• No Validation Required: Unlike the 12-month visa, you generally do not need to "validate" this visa online or attend a medical exam after arriving in France.
  FrenchEntrée +4

Requirements and Application
To qualify, you must demonstrate the following through the official France-Visas portal:

• Financial Means: Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself for the entire 6 months (roughly €1,300–€1,400 monthly or a total of ~€8,400 in savings).
• Accommodation: Proof of a place to stay, such as a rental agreement, property deed, or a letter from a host.
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive travel health insurance covering the full duration of your stay with a minimum of €30,000 in coverage.
• Timeline: You can apply up to 6 months before your planned departure, and it is recommended to apply at least 1 month in advance to account for processing.
  FrenchEntrée +3

Important Considerations

• The "90/180 Rule": If you are from a visa-exempt country (like the UK), you can technically use your 90-day visa-free allowance either before or after the 6-month visa period, but you must be careful not to overstay your cumulative allowance.
• Frequency: For certain applicants (such as UK residents), the consulate may limit you to one 6-month VLS-T per calendar year, or require a 6-month gap between visas.
  FrenchEntrée +4

One of the criteria is a basic competence in spoken French, I believe, Kev; this includes the interview at the Processing Centre, IIRC from other Threads from applicants on other Fora. The 'address' has been stated as the first campsite stay by other Applicants, and accepted by the Processing Centre, according to the aforementioned Threads elsewhere

Steve

 

[korky]

One of the criteria is a basic competence in spoken French, I believe, Kev; this includes the interview at the Processing Centre, IIRC from other Threads from applicants on other Fora. The 'address' has been stated as the first campsite stay by other Applicants, and accepted by the Processing Centre, according to the aforementioned Threads elsewhere

Steve

I've looked into this,but not needed it yet. For the extended visa ,for a reason such as tourism,basic competence in French is not a requirement, unless that has changed this year. You have to be very careful to apply for the correct visa. If you were moving to France now to live, there is now this requirement AFAIK.

 

[Moonraker 2]

That's interesting but could you get insurance for that long??

 

[barryd]

That's interesting but could you get insurance for that long??

Six months is not a problem. 12 might be for a lot of insurers.

 

[marchie]

Six months is not a problem. 12 might be for a lot of insurers.

House Insurance, M/home Insurance, or Travel Insurance? House Insurance is far from ready to arrange for 6 months, with very high premiums and more exclusions than you can shake a stick at ...

Steve

 

[korky]

I may apply for this visa next year. I'm not interested in being away for 6 months in one go, but want the flexibility I enjoyed before BREAKFAST. You can still have your 90 days as well in addition. Trying to get 2 minor ops out the way this summer, then I may apply.

 

[Nabsim]

So how come a German friend has been here in the UK almost years? Does UK do longer visa's than EU?

 

[barryd]

House Insurance, M/home Insurance, or Travel Insurance? House Insurance is far from ready to arrange for 6 months, with very high premiums and more exclusions than you can shake a stick at ..

I was thinking vehicle insurance.

 

[marchie]

I was thinking vehicle insurance.

Travel & House Insurance are vital pieces of the insurance package for foreign trips as far as I am concerned, as is [European] Breakdown Cover. Travel and House policies are mostly set at a maximum of 90 days [House Insurance as a rule is limited to 60 days Unoccupancy since UK left the EU]

Steve

 

[Robmac]

So how come a German friend has been here in the UK almost years? Does UK do longer visa's than EU?

Sounds like he shouldn't be here Neil;

Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor

Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months), medical treatment and other activities. Find out whether you need a Standard Visitor visa, or can visit without a visa.

www.gov.uk

 

[barryd]

So how come a German friend has been here in the UK almost years? Does UK do longer visa's than EU?

Europeans and some other nations get six months here. Don't get me started on that one. Maybe he has right to remain.