How often can British long-stay visa holders in France return to UK?
Is there a maximum length of time you can remain outside France? We explain the rules about entering and exiting with a visa de long-s茅jour
We look at the length of time you can stay in the UK with a long term visa in France
Brookgardener / Shutterstock
Reader question: Are there any restrictions on the amount and length of times you can return to the UK during the span of a French long-stay visa for six to 12 months? C.N.
No, a French long-stay visa (visa de long-s茅jour) does not restrict you on the right to come and go from the UK during the period.
It gives you a set period during which you can freely spend time in France 鈥� and this period is not counted for the usual 鈥�90 in 180 days鈥� rule 鈥� but this does not require you to spend a specific amount of time in the country. During this time your passport should not be stamped as an ordinary visitor 鈥� this would only resume after the visa period.
Note that 鈥榯emporary鈥� long-stay visas are in general only issued for periods for four to six months, as spending more time than this in France would usually be taken as implying that you are moving to France, in which case a different kind of visa is issued, often a visa de long s茅jour valant titre de s茅jour.
This is a kind of visa that must be 鈥榲alidated鈥� by the foreign residents鈥� body OFII in the first three months. It is then equivalent to a residency card and is renewable by applying for a physical card at the end of the first year.
Related articles
Nationality, visas, asylum: Why immigration rose in France in 2021
Coming to France from UK: Temporary visitor visas and passport stamps
