Moving to France? Here’s How to Secure Your Visa and Residency

Bonjour! Excellent video. We are retired educators from Portland. We just finished a long stay in Europe: 5 months helping a new school open in Lvivv, one month in Krakow learning about WWII, and a month in Tallinn. My teacher's pensions and our social security, qualify us for the Long Stay Visa. Toulon looks perfect for us care-free seniors. And we love the beaches!! Healthcare, public transportation, and within walking distance to markets are important. Merci! Dean & Cindy

this is the most helpful and comprehensive video on this topic that i have found, after months of looking. there is a lot of convoluted content out there that is very confusing and doesn't answer the basic questions, esp. as it relates to income or proof of funds -- too much content is aimed at 18 year olds who need parental cosigners to prove $21k in the bank as opposed to remote workers or retirees with steady income or savings. i also greatly appreciate the detail about the 2 written statements, particularly the example you shared for the cover letter, which was SO incredibly helpful. many many thanks for this! i took notes and favorited this video.

Excellent presentation and very helpful…perhaps the best explanation of normal expat questions…thank you so much!

Bonjour! Thank you so much! I read both 3-months and year-long rental contracts for retired Americans seeking the LSV. I'm confused. Merci beaucoup! Dean & Cindy

so the passive income requirements haven’t aged well “Income As of January 1, 2024, the gross income requirement is €1,766.92 per month per person. For example, a couple would need to show a combined gross income of €3,500 per month. If applying with children, applicants must show income equivalent to 50% of the income requirement per child. Acceptable income sources include long-term or for-life pension income, social security payments, stable rental income, dividend income, royalties, and certain types of stable income from active employment or business ventures. Applicants may need to provide documentary confirmation of their income, such as tax returns, employment contracts, retirement certificates, incorporation documents, and bank and brokerage statements.”

Thank you so much for this helpful information. I have two questions: 1. Can all of the documents be submitted in English or do they need to be translated into French? 2. Do any of the documents need to be notarized?

Great video but I do have some questions. I'm over 65 and it would be my wife and I applying for the long stay visa. Regarding requirements for the visa, it was not mentioned but must criminal records, birth certificates, and/or a marriage contract be submitted? It seems odd that those would not be required. I know other countries do require them. I noticed someone else asked if all documents must be translated into French and notarized (or apostille). I am wondering the same thing. I hope you can answer my questions. Thanks!

Thank you very much, It was very informative. As a US single person over 65 if wanting to get long stay visa How much monthly required??? I appreciate it

Thank you!

Tuula, do the documents you need to apply have to be in French? Or will English documents be ok?

Thank you, if we are a couple retiring in France, is it possible to have the appointment together at the same time or does it have to be separate

Are there any French coastal (or near) towns where one can live on less than$1000 a month?

Hi there, I'm an American retiree and would like to move to France. My social security is 1664usd net per month. Please tell me if I qualify to apply for a long stay visa. Thank you!

As much as I appreciate the information , Yet I am more confused about monetary requirement! Since I can’t find any page in internet to support the monetary $ for single over 65 retiring in France. I really appreciate if you please let me know , We here did you draw that information from ??? Thank you very much

I will be staying with a friend can you tell me what else I will need from her besides a written letter

Do you know , all over internet for France visa monetary requirement is 1766 euros for single??? I like your number better, Yet which one is it?

Thanks for the information. It's not clear when you said, "can (or can't) apply three months ahead of the move date." Which is it, can apply more than three months, e.g. 120 days before departure, or more that three months before? Which is it? Many thanks, very helpful.

I’m an American citizen and I have permanent residency in Mexico. Will that be a factor in getting long term visa in France?

Can you work remotely once you have a resident card after the first 12 months?

Can we do this application process from a foreign address, such as when we're already in the UK or EU traveling and living, then we decide to do a LT visa in France?