France visa for US citizens

Front-loaded answerA US citizen settles in France mainly through the long-stay visitor visa (VLS-TS « visiteur ») — about €1,443/month of passive income and no working in France — or the Talent Passport for skilled workers and entrepreneurs. You apply at a French consulate, then validate the visa with OFII after arrival. Permanent residency follows at five years.

The visitor visa (VLS-TS « visiteur »)

This is the retiree-and-passive-income route. You show stable resources of about €1,443/month (one times the French minimum wage, SMIC) — pensions, Social Security, 401(k)/IRA distributions, dividends, or rental income all count — plus accommodation and private health insurance for the first year. It bans paid work in France, though remote work for US employers is accepted in practice.

Talent Passport & the path to staying

The Talent Passport (Passeport Talent) covers skilled employees, entrepreneurs, and other talent, and can lead to a 10-year resident card after three years of stable income and integration — but as of 2026 it requires A2-level French to renew. Whichever route you take, you can reach permanent residency at five years and apply for citizenship (with a language test) after five.

• ✓Talent Passport → 10-year Carte de Résident after 3 years (income + integration)
• ✓A2 French now required for Talent Passport renewal (2026)
• ✓Permanent residency at 5 years; citizenship eligibility at 5 years with French

Frequently asked

Does France have a digital nomad visa?

No dedicated one. Remote workers typically use the long-stay visitor visa, which accepts passive income and, in practice, remote work for non-French employers. French-based work requires a Talent Passport or another work-authorized permit.