Moving to France from the US: the paperwork checklist

Start several months before you plan to move. US citizens apply for a VLS-TS long-stay visa through the France-Visas portal, then book a slot at the consulate serving your state.

Two documents take the longest to get right: proof of accommodation and your health insurance certificate. Arrange both before you book the appointment.

France requires private health insurance covering your full stay — see the rule below. Travel and Schengen policies are refused because they are built for trips, not residence.

The certificate is what the officer reads. It must show private medical and hospitalisation cover, valid in France, for the whole visa period, with no disqualifying deductible.

This is the step families we hear from get wrong most often. Arrange a policy structured for residence, and check the certificate wording before you buy.

Bring the full file to your appointment: passport, France-Visas forms, accommodation proof, financial evidence, and the insurance certificate.

The consulate keeps discretion over every application. A compliant certificate removes one common reason for refusal — it does not guarantee approval.

Soon after arrival, validate your VLS-TS online and pay the tax stamp. This step turns the visa into a residence permit.

Some visa types complete an OFII registration — a medical check and welcome interview. Public cover (PUMa) comes later, so keep your private policy running through the bridge months.