General
VLS-TS validation after arrival in France: what to do and when
Getting the visa is not quite the end of the process. If your visa sticker says VLS-TS, you have one more step to complete online once you are in France, and it has a deadline.
By Mathieu Silva · 3 min read
What a VLS-TS is
A VLS-TS (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour) is a long-stay visa that also works as your residence permit for its first year, once validated. It is issued for several common routes, including students, spouses of French nationals and visitors. The mention appears on the visa sticker in your passport.
The deadline
The validation must be completed online within three months of your arrival in France. Keep proof of your entry date, such as the stamp in your passport or your travel ticket.
The steps
- Go to the official online service for foreign nationals in France (ANEF), accessible from the French administration's website.
- Enter your visa details, your date of entry and your address in France.
- Pay the residence tax online with an electronic tax stamp (timbre fiscal).
- Download and keep the confirmation: together with your visa, it proves you are lawfully resident.
If you miss the deadline
An unvalidated VLS-TS no longer allows you to stay in France lawfully after the three-month period, and it can complicate travel and future renewals. If you are close to the deadline, complete it immediately; if you have passed it, seek guidance from your préfecture or an immigration professional.
Preparing before departure
The smoothest arrivals start with a well-organised file. If you are still preparing your application, see our guides for students, spouses and visitors.