Section 2: Long-stay visas

Any foreigner wishing to enter France to stay for more than three months must apply to the French diplomatic and consular authorities for a long-stay visa, which may not be valid for more than one year. This visa may authorise a stay of more than three months of a family nature, as a visitor, student, trainee or in respect of a professional activity, and more generally any type of stay…

The long-stay visa is issued automatically to the spouse of a French national. It may only be refused in cases of fraud, annulment of the marriage or threat to public order.

A return visa is issued by the French diplomatic and consular authorities to a foreign national holding a residence permit in France under articles L. 423-1, L. 423-7, L. 423-13, L. 423-14, L. 423-15, L. 423-17, L. 423-18, L. 423-21, L. 423-22, L. 423-23, L. 425-9 or L. 426-5 whose spouse, during a stay abroad, has stolen the identity documents and residence permit. Code l’entrée et séjour des étrangers et…