How to Apply for a Long-Stay French Visa (VLS-T): A Quick Schengen-Busting Guide for UK Travellers

Since Brexit, UK citizens can no longer come and go freely in the EU (European Union).

Instead, the 90/180 rule applies, which limits stays within the entire EU Schengen Visa-Free Zone to 90 days in every rolling 180-day period. Since the Schengen zone now comprises twenty nine EU and non-EU countries and covers most of Europe, it can make long-term travel tricky.

Getting Around the 90/180 Rule

There are two ways to get around the 90/180 rule, which we will look at in this post.

1. The Schengen Shuffle

Many travellers work around the 90-day restrictions by doing the Schengen Shuffle – simply hopping out of the Schengen zone into non-Schengen countries, or returning home to the UK. However, as the map above shows, options are becoming increasingly limited, since countries such as Croatia, Romania, and Bulgaria have recently joined Schengen. In addition, current FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) travel advice is to avoid all travel to several non-Schengen countries which border Europe, such as Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kaliningrad, and the Transnistria region of Moldova.

Calculations are also complex, since the 90-day allowance does not run for a calendar period, but for the preceding 180 days. Also, the day you leave Schengen, and the day you arrive back count as full days, even if you leave at one minute past midnight or enter at one minute to. You can use various online Schengen calculators to ensure you stay within the rules, since penalties for overstaying can be severe. You can be fined, or even banned from entering the EU, which can also affect your ability to travel to other countries.

Now, most non-Schengen countries, such as Morocco, Turkey, and The Balkans lie on the extremities of Europe’s boundaries, although there are a few small non-Schengen territories within the EU.

Non-Schengen Territories Within The EU

Andorra – Technically you are exiting Schengen when you enter Andorra — but there are no formal border controls or automatic passport stamping unless you request it. If you do not get stamped in and out, Schengen authorities will count the whole period — including time in Andorra — as if you never left. There are immigration booths at both the French and Spanish borders with Andorra, but you must ask politely for your passport to be stamped when entering and leaving. Officers may be surprised or reluctant, so explain that you’re a UK citizen tracking Schengen days, and always keep evidence of your route, such as receipts or fuel logs, in case you need to prove you exited Schengen.

Gibraltar – The recent deal signed between Britain, the EU, Spain and Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory, is not yet fully finalised. However, the Foreign Secretary stated that while Gibraltar will not join the Schengen zone, Schengen rules will be established, which will apply to non-resident Britons arriving in Gibraltar. He confirmed that time spent by UK nationals who are not residents of Gibraltar in Gibraltar will be counted as part of the time-limited allowance. This means Britons who have reached their 90 day allowance in Schengen will be unable to enter Gibraltar and can no longer use Gibraltar to escape Schengen.

San Marino, Vatican City, and Monaco are not in Schengen but are not practical exits from Schengen as there are no border controls, the territories are too small and in most cases, too expensive to be practical for long stays.

2. A Long Stay Schengen Visa

Mark and I have looked for other options to extend our stays in the EU/Schengen zone beyond 90 days, and decided to apply for a French long-stay visa as a legal route to avoid border stress.

Why We Opted for a French Visa

• We love France!
• France offers a long stay visa for tourist purposes: not all countries do.
• France is a useful hopping off point to visit other Schengen countries.
• The application fees for France are less expensive than other countries, and for some visas, not all the visa fees are required upfront, so if your application fails, you lose less money.
• Anecdotally, we have heard the French visa is relatively easy to get.
• We can apply for a 6-month visa using only our GHIC card rather than showing travel insurance for the full, extended period of a year, which is hugely expensive for us since earlier in the year, Mark had a skiing accident and suffered thrombosis.

What are the Advantages of Obtaining a Long Stay French Visa?

With the visa, time we spend in France will not count towards our 90 Schengen days, meaning that while the visa is valid, we can still travel elsewhere in the Schengen zone for up to 90 days on top of our 180 days in France. This gives us an extended stay in Europe of 90 days anywhere in Schengen + 180 visa days in France + 90 days anywhere in Schengen. Note that if you use any of your visa days elsewhere in Schengen, they do technically count towards your Schengen allowance, but since there are no borders in the Schengen zone, you may get away with it.

However, with some countries, France included, a visa will only be issued if that country is the primary destination in your travel plans. i.e. France would expect you to spend the majority of your trip in France.

Here’s what you need to know about Schengen long-stay visas, which will hopefully help to make the process smooth and stress-free should you decide to apply.

Who Needs a Visa?

UK passport holders do not need a visa for short tourist stays under 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen zone. But if you plan to:

• Stay in one Schengen country for longer than 90 days, for example to spend extended time in a second home or visit family
• Extend your ability to stay in Schengen for more than 90 days

…then you must apply for a Long-Stay Visa (VLS-T or VLS-TS).

Other Countries & Their Schengen Visa Policies

Here, I am going to talk about our visa application for France. Every country has its OWN visa policy and not all will issue a visa for tourism purposes. Each has its own specific requirements or complications. According to my research and at the time of writing, the following countries will not issue a Long Stay Visa for tourism purposes but may issue visas for other reasons, such as work or study.

• Denmark
• Finland
• Germany
• Hungary
• Norway
• Slovakia
• Spain – We looked at the Spanish non-lucrative visa, but this is expensive and comes with huge financial, tax, and legal commitments, e.g. becoming tax resident in Spain.

Some countries offer digital nomad visas. Check the Matador Network list for a few of the best options around the world. Slovenia is also launching a digital nomad visa in late 2025 – click HERE for details.

The ease and cost of application for visas varies by country. Visas are not free, you will be charged a fee which is not refunded even if your application is denied.

Plan ahead, as the application process may take some time, during which you will not have your passport. Our application for the French visa was quick – and is generally a few weeks maximum (see below). We applied, unsuccessfully, for a visa for Italy, and were without our passports for 3 months.

In most cases, you must apply for a visa in your home country before you travel. Applications may be via the country’s own embassy or consulate, or for countries with a high volume of applications, through a Visa Outsourcing Company (VOC) such as TLScontact or VFS Global. VOCs are contracted by governments to handle the administrative side of visa applications, such as document collection, appointment scheduling, biometric data capture, and forwarding documents to the appropriate consulate. They do not make visa decisions — that authority remains with the relevant embassy or consulate. They also cannot give advice.

In rare cases, some countries like Estonia allow in-country visa applications. In Estonia, this is via the PBGB (Police & Border Guard Board). Anecdotally, we have heard that this is a straightforward process with a high success rate for applicants, although we have not tried it ourselves.

The supporting documentation required for your visa application will depend on your nationality or country of residence. In general, to ensure you can support yourself throughout your stay without becoming a burden on the state, the authorities are looking for information about your socio-economic situation and financial resources, your accommodation, and your medical cover. Often, you must also formally agree not to engage in any work or professional activity during your stay.

Types of Long-Stay Visa for France

There are two common long-stay French visas:

1. VLS-T (Visa de Long Séjour Temporaire): Valid for up to 6 months

• No work allowed (including remote work)
• Can be used once per calendar year
• Does not count towards your Schengen 90/180 days
• Cannot be extended or converted in France
• You can apply for multiple VLS-T visas, but only once per year with a six month gap in between. This is because if you spend more than 6 months per year in France, you are considered a resident. So, for example, you can have a visa from January-June 2025, then another from January-June 2026 and the same in 2027, but not January-June 2025 and then September 2025 to February 2026.

2. VLS-TS: Valid for stays over 6 months

• Must be validated within 3 months of arrival in France (procedure outlined below)
• Can be extended in France and lead to residency

Most travellers who want to spend a winter or summer season in France apply for the VLS-T because the VLS-TS comes with

Financial Requirements for a French Long Stay Visa

To obtain a long-stay French visa, you generally need to demonstrate sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay. This Breakdown of Financial Requirements for Non-EU Residents is not gospel, but gives some guidance on recommendations. The exact amount varies, depending on the visa type and individual circumstances:

• Long-Stay Visa (General): While there isn’t a fixed minimum bank balance for a Schengen visa (which a long-stay visa can be), visa services generally suggest around €100-€120 per day of your stay. 
• Visitor/Retirement Visa: You need to show income per person equivalent to the French minimum wage, which on 1st January 2024 was €1,766.92 gross per month (approximately €1,400 net).  If you have children, you need an additional 50% of the income requirement per child.
• Financially Independent Individuals: €1,800 per month in passive or remote income is recommended, plus a substantial bank deposit (e.g. €30,000). 
• If Hosted by an Individual: You’ll need a certificate of stay from the town hall and demonstrate sufficient funds, generally around €32.50 per day. 

How to Apply for a French Long Stay VLS-T Visa

Note that the consulate/visa centre will retain your passport for the duration of the application process, so unless you have a second passport, you will not be able to travel abroad until the application is complete

1. Start online: Visit France Visas and complete the application form. You can link applications for more than one person, so we applied as a couple with Mark as the principal applicant. You will then be given a reference number for your application which is required in order to book an appointment with the VOC.
2. Book an appointment: You will then be directed to TLScontact to book an in-person appointment at their office in either London, Manchester, or Edinburgh, for which you will require the reference number.
3. Finalise your submission & confirm your appointment – once you have made the appointment with TLScontact, return to the France Visas website to finalise your submission.
4. Gather documents: You must bring a full, original and copied set of supporting documents to your appointment. Failure to produce the correct documentation and copies could delay your application and may mean you will have to pay a second appointment fee. I have heard that the the order in which the documents are listed on the application is not arbitrary – so take them in the same order as they are listed on the form, with any required copies.
   • Important Passport Notes
     • The ISSUE date of your passport must be LESS THAN 9 years and 9 months before the END date of your visa or your visa could be refused.
     • The visa requirement is minimum of TWO CONSECUTIVE BLANK PAGES. It is also prudent to check there is room in your passport to accommodate entry & exit stamps for all trips outside of the UK you have planned until the end of a visa period. 

Our TLS French Visa Appointment in Manchester

We travelled into central Manchester by train so we didn’t need to worry about traffic or parking, which is not easy. We arrived an hour early for our appointment and were shown straight in. (A lady applicant at reception was trying to blag getting in four hours early for her afternoon appointment, and this was not permitted!) With the check in procedure, it was about an hour before we were ready to be seen, so arriving early meant we were among the first in the queue for our appointment time.

In this order, we were required to produce:

1. Proof of Appointment – they would not allow us through the door of the building without this. Ourselves and our bags were then scanned as if we were entering an airport.
2. Registration – Once scanned, we were asked for our Passport, and printouts of our Application Form and Registration Receipt. These were placed in a document wallet. The principal applicant’s form had a number which was displayed on a screen in order of admission. This was the number by which both of us were called to a desk for processing, so we took a seat and waited for probably half an hour until our number was called.
3. Application Process – At the desk, we were asked for documents in this order:
   • The document wallet containing our Passport, Application Form and Registration Receipt
   • Two Passport/Visa quality Photos per applicant – although passport and visa approved when I had them taken, my photos were rejected because my fringe covered my eyebrows. TLS said they might be okay, but I didn’t want my visa to be rejected for this, so I had a suitable set taken by TLS for a charge of £8.
   • Photocopy of the information pages from each passport
   • Signed promise not to work from each of us
   • An itinerary, describing the purpose of your visit
   • 3 months of bank statements to prove we had sufficient funds to sustain us during our stay
   • Proof of income (we do not have jobs or a pension, but had rental income receipts from our property)
   • Proof of accommodation in France (we have rented a property for 3 months with an option to extend to 6 if the visa is granted.)
   • Photocopy of our GHIC cards (Global Health Insurance Card – available FREE via the NHS).
4. Payment of Visa Fees – by credit card once all the paperwork was collated and forms filled in and signed.
5. Biometrics – We were then sent for finger prints and a photograph.
6. Other Documents that may be required – Anecdotally, I have heard that in some circumstances, such as undertaking a motorhome tour, you may be asked for other documents, so make sure you check what is required and take them with you. This could include:
   • Cover letter and travel plans, plus campsite bookings e.g. if you’re planning a motorhome tour
   • Other Travel bookings (ferry/tunnel)
   • Vehicle documents (V5, insurance)

Costs

Note – these are the costs per person for a French visa only. Application costs for other countries differ widely.

• TLS visa appointment and processing fee (non-refundable) = £46.73
• Visa application embassy fee (embassy cost – non-refundable) = €99 (£85 approx.)
• Visa Validation on arrival in France (payable ONLY for certain types of visa, and only if the visa is granted) = approx. £200

Timescale

• Processing takes between 10-15 working days. Our application was SUCCESSFUL – and our passports, with the visa, were ready for collection within 7 days.

Return of Passport and/or Visa

• Collect in Person – FREE:
  • You can collect your passport and visa (if awarded) in person with ID, such as a photocard driving licence.
  • The Manchester office was open between the hours of 13:00-16:00 for collections.
  • Someone can collect on your behalf with two signed power of attorney forms, supplied by the VOC company, and your ID. So Mark could collect my passport on my behalf with two forms signed by myself, and my driving licence, which saved us both having to travel into Manchester.
  • You may not open your passport envelope to check if your visa was granted until you have left the building. Mark was roundly admonished for doing this while he waited for an agent to get an answer to a question!
• Courier – £30 per person to an address of your choice. Besides the expense, this runs the additional risk of getting lost in transit, so we opted to collect in person.

Validation of VLS-TS Visa in France

To validate a French long-stay visa and obtain a residence permit on arrival, you must complete an online validation process within 3 months of arrival in France. This involves filling in an online form via the étrangers en France portal, and paying a fee, usually by purchasing an electronic fiscal stamp or visiting a tobacconist (tabac). After payment and validation, a confirmation PDF then acts as your residence permit for the duration of your visa.

Failure to validate within the specified time period can result in your stay in France being considered illegal, and will prevent you from re-entering the Schengen area.

⚠️ Important Tips & Pitfalls

• Apply early: You can apply for a VLS-T up to 3 months before your trip.
• Dress respectably and be polite: first impressions count, and you are at the mercy of the person/bureaucrat processing your visa application. I have heard anecdotally that it’s useful to make a good impression, so although you won’t need a morning suit or ball gown, dress as smartly as you might if you were meeting the in-laws for the first time!
• Be organised: Appointments are efficient, but ensure paperwork is complete and organised, or you may need to return for a second appointment and pay another fee. Premium lounge services are optional at extra cost.
• Don’t work remotely: VLS-T specifically excludes remote work.
• Schengen days: VLS-T time spent in France doesn’t count towards Schengen days, but any travel outside France during the visa period does.
• Tax residency:
  • Spending more than 183 days in one calendar year in another country e.g. France can make you a tax resident and liable to pay tax there.
  • Depending on your itinerary, even if you spend fewer than 183 days in France, you might still be considered tax resident in France if you spend the majority of your time there, e.g. if you spent 3 months UK, 2 months Spain, 2 months Morocco, and 5 months France.
  • Most countries have reciprocal tax agreements so that you don’t pay tax in two countries, but note that tax residency can be additionally problematic with countries such as Italy, who impose a wealth tax, which allows them to tax overseas property and income such as pensions to prevent tax avoidance through offshoring assets and income.
• The VLS-T visa does not need to be validated in France.
• A VLS-TS visa must be validated within 3 months of arrival in France.
• Useful tip: In France, many towns have an écrivain public, an official who can help complete the validation paperwork. Ask at the Mairie (town hall).

📍 Useful Resources & References

• France Visas official portal
• TLScontact for visa appointments – make sure you select and attend the correct visa centre!
• 180 Days in France guide is a detailed guide with crib sheets and information, including feedback from those who have undergone visa appointments.
• Welcome to France – Long Stay Visa Fact Sheet

I make every effort to ensure that all information is correct at the time of writing, however things do change so do check with the agency or consulate before making any arrangements. This post is for information only, and does not constitute any form of legal advice. Please see my Disclaimer for details.

Related Posts That May Be of Interest

If you want further advice and information on the reality of living a nomadic life, check out my Top Tips page which has Tips on RV Travel Tips and Going Full Time and How We Did It, as well as my Wuff Guide to Travelling with Dogs. Posts which may be of particular interest for trip planning are:

Travel With Dogs to France

• 10 Things you Need to Know About Taking your Dog to France! – from madmen with guns to killer caterpillars, here’s everything you need to know to have a wonderful and safe trip to France with your dog.
• Can I Get My Dog an EU Pet Passport?
• Travelling from the UK to Europe & Back with Dogs
• Animal Health Certificates – What You Need To Know

Travel Tips & Trip Planning

• Tips for Planning the Perfect Trip – top tips on choosing where to go.
• The Ultimate Road Trip Planning Guide for Campers, Motorhomes & Trucks – you don’t know what you don’t know: this guide will highlight everything you need to plan from non-prescription painkillers that could get you arrested or imprisoned, to wild camping and winter tyre rules.
• Travel Insurance for an Extended Road Trip
• Are You Ready if Disaster Strikes? 12 Tips on Handling an Emergency Abroad
• What Ray Mears Taught Me About Overlanding: Preparation Isn’t Optional

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