Some "experienced" help with the VLS-T (6 month stay in France) (1 Viewer)

[deljones]

Hello everyone.

I have been reading some of the threads here about the application for the VLS-T (the 6 months tourist visa for France). I am kind of up to speed on the requirements and documentation etc. however there is a bit of a grey area that I was wondering if anyone here could help me with. There might be another question later, in fact, it's highly likely in fact...

1. Proof of socio-economic status
What does that mean? The amount of money required per month is already dealt with and mentioned at 1329 euros net. I'm guessing that this is your employment status, ie full-time where and when, self-employed, retired etc.?

2. Proof of residency of the host in France
If you are touring around France in a van, how is this dealt with? Do you book your first campsite for a week or two and use those details?

3. Reciprocal Health Care
The GHIC is usable by a UK citizen for a maximum of 6 months. Not really a question this one just looking for confirmation from people who have or are doing this VLS-T thing.

4. Has anybody tried to renew after the 6-month visa has expired?

5. You can safely tag on your 90-day Schengen allocation at the end of your VLT-S, has anyone actually tried this and returned to the UK 9 months after leaving?

I think that might be it for while. I don't want to be a pest here, and I promise I won't, but it would be great to hear from anyone that's done this or is currently out in France doing it.

Thank everyone in advance.

Best wishes

Del

 

[seasideBill]

You might find this link useful:

Long stay visa for France

Long stay visa to France Before anyone says it doesn’t exist, it actually does so I’m interested if anyone has completed the process which I have started on the French Gov website and would like to know what was put when you reached the bit about where you are going to stay whilst in France...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Verteuil Man]

As far as point 4 goes I have heard that the French say if you need a longer than 6 months you should apply for residency. I also believe over 6 months causes tax issues on income.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[derekjones63]

You might find this link useful:

Long stay visa for France

Long stay visa to France Before anyone says it doesn’t exist, it actually does so I’m interested if anyone has completed the process which I have started on the French Gov website and would like to know what was put when you reached the bit about where you are going to stay whilst in France...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

seasideBill Smashing. Yes, I've had a glance through this already. What I should be doing next is sitting down with tea and going through it properly and in detail.

Thanks very much for providing the direct link, saves a bit of searching...

All the best

Dj

 

[AGT]

Del

We have just begun our French visa period. Following your numbering:

1. We raised this as a question with TLS and got a nonsense response. In the end we both wrote “to whom it may concern” letters stating our last occupations and giving our dates of retirement. If you are still working, watch that mentioning your employment does not contradict your separate undertaking not to carry on any professional activity in France. We had fixated on the loss of our freedom of movement without thinking too much about the loss of our freedom to work in/from France.

2. This was not relevant for us as we had a house address. The process is a box ticking one and a confirmed campsite booking for an initial period sounds like a good idea.

3. GHIC is fine for the visa process.

4. We understand that renewal six months after the six month visa expires is not a problem. We haven’t got to that stage yet, but a friend has obtained a renewal/second visa.

5. We plan to add at some of our Schengen days after our visa expires. We understand that this is OK. However, the tax issue is real and if you spend more than half the calendar year (which is the French tax year) in France then there is a real risk of becoming subject to French tax. Our plan is to use our camper van to spend time in Italy and/or Spain and so we don’t spend more than half of 2023 in France. I have two concerns about this: (i) proving we were not in France as I don’t think that you can get your passport stamped at a Schengen border crossing as evidence of time outside France - we plan to retain campsite, fuel and supermarket receipts as evidence; (ii) a concern that if we spend half the year in France, 90 days in Italy/Spain and 90 days in Scotland then the French tax authorities might say that our closest connection is with France and try to tax us on that basis. I haven’t got to the bottom of this issue yet and owning a house in France is unhelpful for us on this issue.

Good luck with the process. It took us a few hours to get the paper trail sorted but it seems to be just about the paper trail without any over-arching discretion or subjectivity.

Regards
Andrew

 

[deljones]

Del

We have just begun our French visa period. Following your numbering:

1. We raised this as a question with TLS and got a nonsense response. In the end we both wrote “to whom it may concern” letters stating our last occupations and giving our dates of retirement. If you are still working, watch that mentioning your employment does not contradict your separate undertaking not to carry on any professional activity in France. We had fixated on the loss of our freedom of movement without thinking too much about the loss of our freedom to work in/from France.

2. This was not relevant for us as we had a house address. The process is a box ticking one and a confirmed campsite booking for an initial period sounds like a good idea.

3. GHIC is fine for the visa process.

4. We understand that renewal six months after the six month visa expires is not a problem. We haven’t got to that stage yet, but a friend has obtained a renewal/second visa.

5. We plan to add at some of our Schengen days after our visa expires. We understand that this is OK. However, the tax issue is real and if you spend more than half the calendar year (which is the French tax year) in France then there is a real risk of becoming subject to French tax. Our plan is to use our camper van to spend time in Italy and/or Spain and so we don’t spend more than half of 2023 in France. I have two concerns about this: (i) proving we were not in France as I don’t think that you can get your passport stamped at a Schengen border crossing as evidence of time outside France - we plan to retain campsite, fuel and supermarket receipts as evidence; (ii) a concern that if we spend half the year in France, 90 days in Italy/Spain and 90 days in Scotland then the French tax authorities might say that our closest connection is with France and try to tax us on that basis. I haven’t got to the bottom of this issue yet and owning a house in France is unhelpful for us on this issue.

Good luck with the process. It took us a few hours to get the paper trail sorted but it seems to be just about the paper trail without any over-arching discretion or subjectivity.

Regards
Andrew

Hello Andrew.

Many thanks. Excellent reply.

We have been digging around all of this all day and it's amazing how much of it the authorities have made 'grey'. You have confirmed some of the things that we thought were right and you have confirmed for us, but there is a lot of anecdotal stuff on the internet that we want to avoid as that kind of stuff won't help us at the border or with the tax authorities! such as the tagging on of your 90-day allowance at the end of the visa period.

We have seen conflicting reports about this. Some say that as long as the passport is stamped after the 6 months visa is up and shows that you are starting your 90-day allowance, then it's ok. Some have experienced border guards just flagging them through without a word being said, then some are pointing out that because you are over the 6 months then you can be hit with French tax laws...

What a minefield this is... Still, I guess it's designed that way to put us off. Not bloody likely!

Thanks again for your time, Andrew. I appreciate it.

Del

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[rvnib]

Hello everyone.

I have been reading some of the threads here about the application for the VLS-T (the 6 months tourist visa for France). I am kind of up to speed on the requirements and documentation etc. however there is a bit of a grey area that I was wondering if anyone here could help me with. There might be another question later, in fact, it's highly likely in fact...

1. Proof of socio-economic status
What does that mean? The amount of money required per month is already dealt with and mentioned at 1329 euros net. I'm guessing that this is your employment status, ie full-time where and when, self-employed, retired etc.?

2. Proof of residency of the host in France
If you are touring around France in a van, how is this dealt with? Do you book your first campsite for a week or two and use those details?

3. Reciprocal Health Care
The GHIC is usable by a UK citizen for a maximum of 6 months. Not really a question this one just looking for confirmation from people who have or are doing this VLS-T thing.

4. Has anybody tried to renew after the 6-month visa has expired?

5. You can safely tag on your 90-day Schengen allocation at the end of your VLT-S, has anyone actually tried this and returned to the UK 9 months after leaving?

I think that might be it for while. I don't want to be a pest here, and I promise I won't, but it would be great to hear from anyone that's done this or is currently out in France doing it.

Thank everyone in advance.

Best wishes

Del

Just been for the interview this week. We've asked for 6 months to a year. We've retired but have income from several properties and it was details of this that I included for the Socio-Economic 'section'. After a little research, we gave details of our proposed first night's stay and potential itinerary. Our interviewer was looking for proof of accommodation (booking confirmation) rather than details of the particular campsite. We have not heard from the consulate yet but we may be required to send proof of booking which we now have.

Since we're applying for over 6 months, we provided details of our renewed travel insurance which covers the period of our proposed trip.

Can't give any info on points 4 & 5.

If we fall foul of tax or residency interpretations, we'll post on here but nothing was said during the interview process.

 

[deljones]

rvnib That's great. Thanks very much for sharing your experience with us, very valuable. It's a bit scary that you can pay all the money to get the visa and then have to wait to be possibly told no, I'm sure it won't be in your case, but something that we thought about.

Anyway. Good luck and happy travels

dj

 

[wp1234]

Hello everyone.

I have been reading some of the threads here about the application for the VLS-T (the 6 months tourist visa for France). I am kind of up to speed on the requirements and documentation etc. however there is a bit of a grey area that I was wondering if anyone here could help me with. There might be another question later, in fact, it's highly likely in fact...

1. Proof of socio-economic status
What does that mean? The amount of money required per month is already dealt with and mentioned at 1329 euros net. I'm guessing that this is your employment status, ie full-time where and when, self-employed, retired etc.?

2. Proof of residency of the host in France
If you are touring around France in a van, how is this dealt with? Do you book your first campsite for a week or two and use those details?

3. Reciprocal Health Care
The GHIC is usable by a UK citizen for a maximum of 6 months. Not really a question this one just looking for confirmation from people who have or are doing this VLS-T thing.

4. Has anybody tried to renew after the 6-month visa has expired?

5. You can safely tag on your 90-day Schengen allocation at the end of your VLT-S, has anyone actually tried this and returned to the UK 9 months after leaving?

I think that might be it for while. I don't want to be a pest here, and I promise I won't, but it would be great to hear from anyone that's done this or is currently out in France doing it.

Thank everyone in advance.

Best wishes

Del

I got mine last year so to answer your questions this is what I provided:

1. Proof of socio-economic status
I have retired early and on a private pension , I provided 3 months proof of pension payments in excess of the required ( if I recall the requirement was around 2000 euros per month per couple ) . I also provided prof of investment amounts and incomes.

2. Proof of residency of the host in France
If you are touring around France in a van, how is this dealt with? Do you book your first campsite for a week or two and use those details?
I booked a campsite for one night and printed the booking and also provided a rough itinerary for the next six months ( I picked random 10 sites/ aires) . I wrote a side letter explaining that I would be travelling around the country using these sites and other various others.

3. Reciprocal Health Care
The GHIC is usable by a UK citizen for a maximum of 6 months. Not really a question this one just looking for confirmation from people who have or are doing this VLS-T thing.
GHIC is fine but I also had the usual travel insurance as back up

You must enter and leave with a visa you cannot just tag on the 3 months to a visa you must EXIT (and get the exit stamp) for 24 hrs before returning to France for your Schengen allowance .

My understanding is that you cannot apply for another visa within 3 months of the old one expiring.

My tip to you is make sure you get the photos spot on - they are very fussy about this

Also print of proof of return ticket/crossing ( not sure if its needed but why not !)

Hope that helps , shout if you need more.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Tim McGann]

Del

We have just begun our French visa period. Following your numbering:

1. We raised this as a question with TLS and got a nonsense response. In the end we both wrote “to whom it may concern” letters stating our last occupations and giving our dates of retirement. If you are still working, watch that mentioning your employment does not contradict your separate undertaking not to carry on any professional activity in France. We had fixated on the loss of our freedom of movement without thinking too much about the loss of our freedom to work in/from France.

2. This was not relevant for us as we had a house address. The process is a box ticking one and a confirmed campsite booking for an initial period sounds like a good idea.

3. GHIC is fine for the visa process.

4. We understand that renewal six months after the six month visa expires is not a problem. We haven’t got to that stage yet, but a friend has obtained a renewal/second visa.

5. We plan to add at some of our Schengen days after our visa expires. We understand that this is OK. However, the tax issue is real and if you spend more than half the calendar year (which is the French tax year) in France then there is a real risk of becoming subject to French tax. Our plan is to use our camper van to spend time in Italy and/or Spain and so we don’t spend more than half of 2023 in France. I have two concerns about this: (i) proving we were not in France as I don’t think that you can get your passport stamped at a Schengen border crossing as evidence of time outside France - we plan to retain campsite, fuel and supermarket receipts as evidence; (ii) a concern that if we spend half the year in France, 90 days in Italy/Spain and 90 days in Scotland then the French tax authorities might say that our closest connection is with France and try to tax us on that basis. I haven’t got to the bottom of this issue yet and owning a house in France is unhelpful for us on this issue.

Good luck with the process. It took us a few hours to get the paper trail sorted but it seems to be just about the paper trail without any over-arching discretion or subjectivity.

Regards
Andrew

Here's an idea for you. You can have your passport stamped in Andorra if you request it and they rarely stop you entering Spain nor France.

 

[wp1234]

Here's an idea for you. You can have your passport stamped in Andorra if you request it and they rarely stop you entering Spain nor France.

If you want to extend your stay in a Schengen country for another 3 months after your visa expires you must close your visa first with a French douane stamp exit stamp .

 

[Linda farley]

Del

We have just begun our French visa period. Following your numbering:

1. We raised this as a question with TLS and got a nonsense response. In the end we both wrote “to whom it may concern” letters stating our last occupations and giving our dates of retirement. If you are still working, watch that mentioning your employment does not contradict your separate undertaking not to carry on any professional activity in France. We had fixated on the loss of our freedom of movement without thinking too much about the loss of our freedom to work in/from France.

2. This was not relevant for us as we had a house address. The process is a box ticking one and a confirmed campsite booking for an initial period sounds like a good idea.

3. GHIC is fine for the visa process.

4. We understand that renewal six months after the six month visa expires is not a problem. We haven’t got to that stage yet, but a friend has obtained a renewal/second visa.

5. We plan to add at some of our Schengen days after our visa expires. We understand that this is OK. However, the tax issue is real and if you spend more than half the calendar year (which is the French tax year) in France then there is a real risk of becoming subject to French tax. Our plan is to use our camper van to spend time in Italy and/or Spain and so we don’t spend more than half of 2023 in France. I have two concerns about this: (i) proving we were not in France as I don’t think that you can get your passport stamped at a Schengen border crossing as evidence of time outside France - we plan to retain campsite, fuel and supermarket receipts as evidence; (ii) a concern that if we spend half the year in France, 90 days in Italy/Spain and 90 days in Scotland then the French tax authorities might say that our closest connection is with France and try to tax us on that basis. I haven’t got to the bottom of this issue yet and owning a house in France is unhelpful for us on this issue.

Good luck with the process. It took us a few hours to get the paper trail sorted but it seems to be just about the paper trail without any over-arching discretion or subjectivity.

Regards
Andrew

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Linda farley]

When we went through border control from Spain to France we didn’t get our passports stamped but there was Aline where you could go through and get stamped. I imagine there was run travelling the other way.

 

[Purple2]

We are also in the process of applying for this visa and wondered what restrictions there are on returning back to UK and then going back to France, all within the six month period.

 

[AGT]

I don’t think that there are any restrictions on travelling back and forth between France and the UK during the six month duration of the visa.
On the application form at box 23 we ticked private stay/visitor as the purpose of our request and on our visas “mult” appears against “number of entries”.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[nicholsong]

I don’t think that there are any restrictions on travelling back and forth between France and the UK during the six month duration of the visa.
On the application form at box 23 we ticked private stay/visitor as the purpose of our request and on our visas “mult” appears against “number of entries”.

That is very interesting information for me.

Although I am resident in Poland I am still restricted to the Schengen 90/180 rule when travelling outside Poland.

I know there is little chance of being caught exceeding the 90 days if staying inside Schengen, however I can see advantages of having a French multi-entry visa for crossing all borders within Schengen, in case one were stopped.

At one time I had a USA visa that said 'Indefinite, Multi-entry', because we had 6 offices there. All those visas were revoked. That does not worry me as I do not want to go to US again, as I have no respect for the way the country is going.

 

[rvnib]

I'm pleased to say our Passports / Visas arrived this morning for Feb 23 to Dec 23 duration and multi-entries. The whole process has taken 15 days. We were not asked to provide any more information by the French Consulate.

 

[us2anddollar]

We have just submitted our applications this week. Thank for all the comments, some of our questions have been answered, cheers!
We are hoping to use the Schengen allowance at the end of the 6 months, so will defo get the exit stamp. A further question has also popped up, if durning the 6 moths of the visa, we fancy nipping to Spain for a few week, well why not?, I am assuming we would just drive there avoid any border checks so that we don't get the Exit stamp? I know that sounds like I am a master criminal trying to avoid the rozzers! I am defo not! Just would not want the visa to be ended by a stamp rather than us, if that makes sense?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[rvnib]

On the Visa there is a 'number of entries' part...ours is marked 'multi'. This may be standard (others may know) but all I can say is that on the provisional itinerary I attached to our documentation, I detailed a month in Italy. Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[us2anddollar]

On the Visa there is a 'number of entries' part...ours is marked 'multi'. This may be standard (others may know) but all I can say is that on the provisional itinerary I attached to our documentation, I detailed a month in Italy. Hope this helps and good luck!

Thanks very much for the reply!

 

[us2anddollar]

We have just got an email from TLS stating the passports are ready for collection, but there is no indication that we have been issued with the visa or not. Same in My Account, both on the TLS website and the French Visa website. Can anyone who has been successful tell me if this is the norm?
I can t pick them up till Friday so we would like to hear others experiences please?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[AGT]

Same for us.
My impression was that the process is outsourced to TLS to check/verify and that they would pull you up at the time if there was anything wrong in your paperwork.

 

[us2anddollar]

Same for us.
My impression was that the process is outsourced to TLS to check/verify and that they would pull you up at the time if there was anything wrong in your paperwork.

Did you guys get your visas?

Me too, it was not a pleasant place to be, people were nice though. They did ask some things, said the consulate may want more information, had to get another set of photos taken
Hopefully it is good news on Friday.

 

[AGT]

Yes we got our visas.

We did not particularly enjoy the TLS experience in Edinburgh. All the other hopefuls were overseas students and we didn’t feel that they were being treated with much respect. One guy constantly barking “no phones” without any explanation as to why not and then, after we had been fingerprinted, being told that we were “free to go” - as if that had not always been the case.

Anyway, needs must and we will enjoy making full use of our visas.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[us2anddollar]

Glad you got the visas.
We went there also, the free to go thing was an unpleasant surprise that's for sure!
Think there were a few people with some idea that they had some power. The 'no phones' guy got a shock when asking me to move to a single seat, I refused, telling him I would stay next to me wife!
Any way hopefully we will get the visas.
Cheers

 

[nicholsong]

Have any Residents of an EU country, who are also restricted to the 90/180 rule, tried to get this visa?

 

[daveclare]

Hi All who've applied. On the application form it asks for an identity card number. What did you put, or did you leave it blank?

Many thanks.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Emmit]

Hi All who've applied. On the application form it asks for an identity card number. What did you put, or did you leave it blank?

Many thanks.

I had that question when buying a Bus ticket by machine in Spain for a journey to Portugal.
I put my passport No. in place.