Validating Your VLS-TS in France (2026): the 3-Month Deadline, the Tax and What Comes Next

The short answer: if you arrived in France on a long-stay visa that works as a residence permit (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour, VLS-TS), you must validate it online within 3 months of arriving and pay a €300 tax in the general case. It is the first step after arrival and the easiest to forget: the visa is in the passport, so it already looks like a residence permit.

This guide follows Service-Public and the immigration code (CESEDA) on Légifrance, checked on 2 November 2026. It also exists in French. HR teams can use it as the first step of a move to France.

What is a VLS-TS?

The VLS-TS is a long-stay visa, valid for 4 to 12 months, that works as a residence permit: while it is valid, you don't apply for a residence card at the préfecture. Service-Public names it for students, employees on a permanent contract (CDI) and spouses of French nationals, among others.

Validating the VLS-TS online

• When: within 3 months of arriving in France.
• Where: online only, on the Interior Ministry's online service, the same site as France's digital administration for foreign nationals (ANEF).
• The tax: €300 in the general case since 1 May 2026 (€200 before), paid when you validate. A reduced rate exists for some titles, such as student, seasonal worker, family reunification or job search.

Service-Public puts it simply: the online step is what makes your stay lawful and lets you cross the Schengen border again.

Tip: Do it in the first days. Don't wait for the end of the 3 months, and validate before any trip outside the Schengen area. If the deadline has passed, contact the préfecture where you live without delay.

After validation: OFII

If your title is covered by the republican integration contract (CIR), OFII calls you in to sign it and books you on the 4-day civic training. That is what many call the OFII integration day, and it counts later toward a 4-year card.

For an employee card, Service-Public also lists the OFII medical certificate among the documents handed over when you collect the card.

Before the VLS-TS ends: apply for a residence card

The VLS-TS is not extended. To stay in France after it expires, you apply for a residence card at your département's préfecture or on the ANEF website, depending on your title; check the procedure on your préfecture's website.

The filing window is set by CESEDA article R431-5 and depends on your title. The safe choice is to file at the latest 2 months before the visa ends: see our guide to renewing an employee residence permit. After a first year you can apply straight for a multi-year residence card if you meet its conditions (A2 French, the civic exam, the CIR trainings).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to validate my VLS-TS?

3 months from your arrival in France. Validation is done online only, on the Interior Ministry's online service.

How much does VLS-TS validation cost?

€300 in the general case since 1 May 2026, on top of the visa fee. A reduced rate exists for some titles, such as student or seasonal worker.

Can I travel before validating my VLS-TS?

Validate it before leaving the Schengen area: Service-Public says the online step is what makes your stay lawful and lets you cross the Schengen border again.

Can a VLS-TS be renewed?

No. To stay in France after it ends, you apply for a residence card at the préfecture or on the ANEF website, depending on your title, before the visa expires.

Do I go to OFII after validating my VLS-TS?

If your title is covered by the republican integration contract, OFII calls you in to sign it and attend the civic training. For an employee card, the OFII medical certificate is also among the documents handed over when the card is issued.

How Settio helps employers and agencies in France

Settio helps employers and immigration and relocation agencies run every residence permit case in one place, from the first application to the renewal:

• Before and after arrival: a plan for every hire, with each step and its deadline, the OFII appointment included.
• For the employee: the employee portal shows their next steps on their phone, in their language, with no account or password.
• Before the renewal: permit monitoring tracks every expiry date and flags the renewal in good time, which leaves room to gather the training certificate, the French level and the civic exam before filing.

Start with a 30-day free trial, no card needed. See how to start.

Sources

6 official sources

• Service-Public: Long-stay visa, more than 3 months to 1 year (in French)
• Service-Public: Validate a VLS-TS and pay the tax, online service (in French)
• Service-Public: New residence permit fees (in French)
• Service-Public: Employee or temporary worker residence card (in French)
• Service-Public: Contrat d'intégration républicaine (CIR) (in French)
• Légifrance: CESEDA, article R431-5, filing deadlines (in French)