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Validate your Visa (OFII)

If you came to France with a long stay visa used as residence permit (VLS-TS in French), you must validate your visa as soon as you arrive in France. The process is entirely digital: you can do everything remotely, at home, on your computer. You must validate your visa within 3 months of arriving in France at the very latest.

What do you need to validate your VLS-TS visa?​

You will need:

  • a valid email address,
  • information on your visa,
  • your date of arrival in France,
  • your home address in France,
  • a bank card to pay online the fee for issuing the residence permit.
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Please choose the correct CESEDA Reference in line with your situation.

  1. CESEDA R311-3 6

    This reference is reserved for foreign students who pursue their studies in France as scholarship grantees whilst the second one is for self-paying foreign students.

  2. CESEDA R431-16 16

    This reference is reserved for foreign students who pursue their studies in France on a self-paying basis.

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What if you do not have a bank card?

  • Don't worry! You can buy an electronic stamp (timbre électronique) at a kiosk, at a dedicated terminal, and pay in cash.
  • You can ask your friend to make the payment and settle the cost with them.

Why is it important to validate your VLS-TS Visa?​

  • Lawfully remain in France for your visa's entire validity period.
  • Leave France, beyond the 3 months following your arrival, without asking for a visa to come back.