You MUST validate your VLS-TS within three months of arriving in France.
If you fail to do so, you will no longer be legally present in France and will be unable to re-enter the Schengen Area.
The validation procedure is now completely online. To begin, please visit the following website:
https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr/particuliers/#/
You will need to provide:
- The information on your visa;
- The date on which you entered France;
- Your residential address in France;
- Your credit card to pay online the issuance fee for the appropriate residence permit or electronic stamp for your circumstances, which you can purchase at any newsagent.
The OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) reserves the right to call you for a meeting to carry out further formalities, have a medical check-up and/or sign an integration contract.
NB: if you wish to remain in France for longer than the validity period of your VLS-TS, you must apply for a residence permit at your local prefecture within the two months prior to the expiry date of your long-term visa. For further information, see the website of your local prefecture, or https://www.service-public.fr/
A support unit has been set up at the Directorate-General for Foreign Nationals in France, phone number: 0806 001 620 – e-mail: dgef-support@interieur.gouv.fr