1 - INFORMATION

Read General information section before applying.

The applicant must apply for the visa and obtain it in his/her country of residence before arriving in France.

You have to apply with the French Consulate in Washington DC, only if you reside in one of the following states :

Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia.

If you do not reside in one of those states, you have to apply with another French Consulate, depending on where you live in the United states. To know where to apply, click here.

You may apply for this visa long stay visa or "visitor visa" if you intend to settle in France (for example as a retiree) and live there more than 90 days. CAUTION : this visa DOES NOT allow you to work or enroll in courses or studies while in France, as there are already specific visas (profesionnal, studies) for these purposes. As a consequence, the proof of sufficient fundings and assets to support your stay in France without working for more than a year will be crucial to qualify for this visa.

If granted,the visa issued is a "Long Stay as Resident Card visa" valid for a maximum of one year.

The visa in your passport will also be your permanent resident card for France for the whole first year, provided that you register to the french office for immigration (OFII) within the first two months of your arrival.

Should you then wish to stay more than a year in France, you will then have to contact the french local state authorities ("Prefecture") to apply for an extension of your stay by a permanent resident card ("Carte de Séjour") separate from your passport.

2- REQUIREMENTS.

 Passport valid for a minimum period of 3 months beyond the last day of stay intended in France (a year and 3 months minimum for a stay of one year) (+ 4 copies of the identification page).

 Two long stay application forms signed and clearly filled out (only one application form for US citizen). Please print in black.

  Translation in English of the long stay visa application form. Do NOT use the translation page as an application form, only the french form is valid for a long stay. the translation is only provided as a convenience.

 2 photographs (more informations about the photograph) . All photos must be recent, identical, passport size - 1,4" x 1,7" (3,5cm x 4,5cm) and showing face front the forehead hairline and ears on a white background, the face must take up 70-80% of the photograph.

 An OFII Form (this form is only available in french) that you will have filled in all the first superior part (above the middle section). If your visa is granted, the consulate will stamp this form and give it back. You will then fill in the last portion of it upon your arrival in france and send it to the closest local branch of the OFII of your home in france.

 For Alien residents in the US, a proof of residency status in the US ( e.g. , visa, I-94, IAP66, I-20, resident card ).

 Financial guarantee such as :

• At minimum, bank statement of ALL bank account (Checking, Savings, CDs…) that you own or co-own with detailled transactions among the pas 3 months and daily balance
• And any relevant supplement documentation about any fundings or assets you would have as for example justification of retirement or pensions… (or A notarized declaration of your sponsor stating that he/she will be responsible for all your expenses and a proof of his/her complete assets.)

 A note, dated and signed by the applicant, stating that he/she does not intend to have in France a paid professional activity which requires a work permit.

 Proof of medical insurance with full coverage valid in France. Letter from the insurance company only, cards or full coverage contracts will be declined. The insurance should state that under your policy you are covered for medical expenses, emergencies and hospitalization for a long stay in France, with the limit amount of coverage if there is one (or "unlimited" if there is no limit of coverage)

 Notarized deed of your house/appartment or Rent contract for the stay in France (for a whole year if a minimum stay of one year is intented) with the address of the rented place, tenant contact information, montly rent amount.

 if the deed in France has been acquired more than a year prior to your application, provide also your local french tax return "Taxe Foncière".

 Processing fees: payment by cash, credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or money-order made out to "Consulate general of France" or certified checks. No personal checks.

Moreover, for future procedures in France, (those documents are NOT requested for your visa application) the French General consulate advise you to prepare :
 a birth certificate and a full translation in French. The translation can be then certified by the consular offices in Washington, to be valid in front of any french authority that would request them. (you will need to provide the translation with the document, the consular offices do not make the translation). Without certified translation, US documents are not valid in France. Fees apply.
 a change of residence certificate ("Certificat de Changement de Residence") can allow you to be waived for customs fees for your properties moving. This document can be obtained after the issuance of your long stay visa with :

• for US Citizen, your US passport and long stay visa applied in it;
• for Aliens permanent residents in the US : your passport and long stay visa applied in it plus a proof of a minimum of one continued year or residence in the US (proof of deed of rent lease contract with utility bills of gas, water, electricity or resident phone for a whole full past 12 months)

PERSONNAL APPEARANCE IS MENDATORY : you cannot apply by mail.

REMARKS : The Consular services have full authority to appreciate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant. The latter is hereby informed that submitting the aforementioned documents does not ensure automatic issuance of the visa.