Okay, folks, let’s talk about how I finally snagged that long-term tourist visa for France. It was a bit of a journey, so buckle up!
Figuring Out if I Even Needed One
First things first, I had to figure out if I even needed a long-term visa. I’m planning to stay in France for more than 90 days, I’m not working there, I’m just living my best life. And, bingo! That means a long-stay visa, also called a “VLS-TS” visa, specifically the “visitor” type.
Gathering the Mountain of Documents
Next up, I started getting my documents in order. Oh boy, this was fun(not!). The French consulate website had a list, but I also checked forums and blogs to see what other people had submitted. Better safe than sorry, right? Here’s what I tackled:
- Passport: I had to make sure it has at least two blank pages.
- Application Form: I downloaded the long-stay visa application form, it must be carefully fill out. I made sure everything matched my other documents.
- ID Photos: I got some passport-sized photos taken. There are very specific rules about these, so I went to a place that does them a lot.
- Proof of Accommodation:I booked a long-term apartment and got some form of the proof of rental agreement.
- Proof of Funds: This was a big one. I had to show I had enough money to support myself.I used several months of bank statements.
- Proof of Insurance: I needed to show I had health insurance that would cover me in France for the entire duration of my stay.
- Letter Explaining My Plans: I also wrote a letter that I am a blogger and want to travel in French, and promised that I will not work in French.
Booking the Dreaded Appointment
With all my documents (mostly) ready, I had to book an appointment at the VFS Global center, The website was a bit clunky, but I figured it out. I picked the earliest available slot, which was still a few weeks out. Patience is a virtue, they say.
The Appointment Day
Appointment day arrived! I was a bit nervous, so I got there super early. I organized all my documents neatly in a folder, made copies of everything, The appointment itself was pretty straightforward. I had to pay the visa fee. And finally,I submitted everything, answered a few questions, and they took my fingerprints.
The Waiting Game
Then came the hardest part: waiting. The website said processing could take several weeks. I was checking the online tracking system constantly. It was agonizing! Refresh, refresh, refresh…nothing.
Success at Last!
Finally, after few weeks of nail-biting, I got an email! My visa was approved! I went back to the VFS Global center, picked up my passport, and there it was – my beautiful long-term visa, stuck right in there. I practically skipped out of the building.
So, that’s my saga of getting a French long-term tourist visa. It wasn’t always easy, but it was definitely worth it. Now, I can finally relax and actually plan my awesome French adventure! If you’re going through this process, hang in there! It’s doable, just be prepared, organized, and patient. Bon voyage!
