With current processing times for certain European residency programs, particularly the Portuguese Golden Visa, reaching 18 to 24 months or more, many investors and families find themselves in a waiting period without a concrete solution to settle in Europe. Does this mean putting their European plans on hold? Not necessarily.
France can offer an immediate alternative by allowing individuals to settle there temporarily within a legal framework while their long-term plans take shape.
The long-stay visa marked “visitor” allows foreign nationals to reside in France for more than three months without engaging in professional activity. Provided under French law (Article L. 426-20 of the Code on the Entry and Stay of Foreigners and the Right of Asylum – CESEDA), it is intended for individuals with sufficient financial resources who wish to live in France on a private basis. In practice, this status allows individuals to live in France with their family while maintaining income or activities abroad.
This visa does not permit employment in France. However, it provides a clear framework for those who wish to settle temporarily in Europe without relying on the local job market. In concrete terms, the individual enters France with a long-stay visa and then obtains a temporary “visitor” residence permit from the local prefecture, typically valid for one year and renewable if the conditions continue to be met.
In this context, the “visitor” visa can form part of a broader immigration strategy. It allows individuals to establish themselves in Europe immediately while preparing or waiting for the implementation of a longer-term residency project in another country.
This is particularly relevant for individuals considering the Portuguese Golden Visa. Due to current processing delays, many eligible applicants remain without legal status in Europe for extended periods. The French “visitor” visa helps bridge this gap by providing lawful presence in the Schengen Area and a stable living environment while Portuguese authorities process the application.
It is therefore a practical solution for investors, internationally active entrepreneurs, individuals with foreign-sourced income, and families looking to organize a transition to Europe without interrupting their primary project.
That said, this status is based on a simple principle: the freedom to reside in exchange for the absence of professional activity in France. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient and traceable financial resources, comprehensive health insurance, and proof of accommodation in France. In practice, the quality of the application is critical. Authorities will assess the consistency of the project, the origin of funds, the credibility of the stay, and how it aligns with a longer-term residency plan abroad, such as a Portuguese Golden Visa. A poorly prepared application can lead to refusal and complicate future steps.
The “visitor” visa should therefore not be seen as a fallback option, but as a strategic tool to secure a presence in Europe while a longer-term project is being processed.
Our teams regularly assist clients in structuring this type of pathway, in coordination with our partners across Europe.
To learn more, you can contact us at info@exeo.ca to connect with our partners based in Paris and Bordeaux, Thibault Saint-Martin and Lisanne Chamberland-Poulin, who support these types of applications.
