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The Visitor long-stay visa is for non-EU nationals who want to live in France for more than three months without working — typically retirees and people of independent means. Work of any kind is prohibited.
The Visitor Long-Stay Visa (Visiteur) suits non-EU nationals with sufficient personal resources who want to settle in France without taking up any work. To qualify you must show sufficient annual resources to support your stay, hold health insurance covering the whole period, provide proof of accommodation in France, and sign a written undertaking not to work in France.
The defining limitation is the work ban: this route does not permit employment or self-employment of any kind. It is designed for retirees and people of independent means who want to enjoy living in France while supporting themselves from outside income or savings.
The initial card costs EUR 350 (EUR 250 on renewal). Resource requirements are reviewed periodically, so confirm the current threshold on france-visas.gouv.fr and service-public.gouv.fr before applying. If you might want to work or run a business in France later, a different route — such as a Talent card or the standard work permit — would be needed, and ACME can help you plan ahead if your intentions could change.
Get a free, personalised assessment from a licensed ACME advisor, or ask Acey.
Guidance only, not legal advice. ACME is an independent consultancy, not affiliated with any government. Rules change, confirm details with official sources.