France Financially Independent Person Visa

To qualify for France’s Financially Independent Persons Visa, an applicant must

• Hold a valid long-stay visa for residence permit (VL-TS) visitor; and
• Demonstrate an annual income of at the very least €16,000 or obtain a guarantee of a similar amount from a guarantor; and
• Hold a valid health insurance for the duration of the stay in France.

In practice, prefectures in Paris and the south of France often expect a higher financial threshold, as well as stronger supporting documentation (e.g. long-term lease, private medical coverage, proof of stable income, etc).

The initial visa has a validity of just one year but is renewable indefinitely. Applicants are not allowed to take up employment in France.

To apply, interested parties must first obtain a Long-Stay visa for residence permit at the French consulate. The responsiveness of the consulate can significantly impact the timeline and success of the process. Thereupon, they must deposit the required amount with a French bank and submit the application for the FIP visa either online or at the local prefecture where they reside.

Once approved, the applicant will receive a residence permit and an accompanying residence card from the prefecture.

Applicants can renew the permit online 2-4 months prior to expiration.