Obtaining a D visa for financially independent persons

The D visa (equivalent to a residence permit) is issued for 1 year, after which residence permit cards are issued for one year at a time.

Conditions of receipt

  • Stable income outside France (active or passive)
  • Active income from €2,000 per month per person or sufficient savings
  • Proof of accommodation in France (with friends or through our database)
  • Expat health insurance for the period of residence

Renewal and status

  1. Documents for renewal of the status are submitted online once a year, without requiring your personal presence in France.
  2. After the D visa expires and before the physical card is issued, a temporary electronic document is provided that allows travel across Schengen borders, so you continue to have valid travel documents. The cards are collected in person once a year.
  3. After 1 D visa and 4 residence permit cards, a 10-year resident card with the right to work may be obtained.
  4. Citizenship may also become possible after 5 years (the D visa and 4 cards), but this requires paying taxes in France. Three years before applying for citizenship, the status must be changed and French taxes must begin to be paid. Residence in France is required.

Advantages of the type D visa

  • Allows residence in France and entry to Schengen countries throughout all 365 days of the year
  • Annual renewal does not depend on the actual period spent in France — the status is renewed even when only one day a year is spent in the country
  • You do not become a French tax resident even after spending more than 183 days in France (a feature of the status)
  • Possibility of obtaining French public health insurance instead of buying expat insurance every year
  • Possibility of exchanging a driving licence without examinations or physical presence (depending on the country of residence)
  • The status can be changed at any time to entrepreneur, employee or Talent residence status
  • Allows residence in any EU country for up to 3 months in every 6-month period
  • The status may be renewed an unlimited number of times when the renewal conditions continue to be met
  • The status can be extended to spouses through sponsorship
  • Minor children may receive corresponding residence status through family sponsorship
  • After the first one-year visa, children under 18 receive documents valid for up to 5 years, depending on the child’s current age

Disadvantages of the type D visa

  • No right to work or open a legal entity in France

Service package

  1. Consulting on the strategy for applying for a French D visa
  2. Preparation and review of all documents required for submission to the visa centre
  3. Validation of the visa after arrival in France
  4. Organisation of the mandatory OFII medical examination (required only during the first year of residence)
  5. Application for the free French public health insurance Carte Vitale, avoiding the need to purchase expat insurance every year
  6. Exchange of a foreign driving licence for a French driving licence