Visa Validation (VLS-TS)

Upon your arrival in France, validating your long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS) is a mandatory step.This simple and fully online procedure gives your visa the value of a residence permit and grants you access to your rights: health insurance, housing, employment, mobility within Europe, and more.

Welcome Desk Paris supports international students and researchers with this essential process.

Here you’ll find clear and concise practical guides to know when, how, and where to validate your visa, and to understand the specific rules depending on your situation.

Are You a Student?

Are You a Researcher?

VALIDATING YOUR “ÉTUDIANT” VISA

If you arrive in France with a long-stay visa marked “student”, you must validate it online within 3 months of your arrival for it to be considered as a residence permit.

This step is mandatory (except for Algerian students, who follow a different procedure — see guide).

👉 The procedure is completed on the ANEF platform.

You will need to:

enter your personal information (visa number, passport, address in France...),
pay a tax of €50 in the form of an electronic tax stamp,
download and keep your validation certificate (PDF).

⚠️ This validation certificate is essential: it contains your foreign national number and is indispensable for your procedures (health insurance, work, housing, residence permit renewal, travel in the Schengen area).

💡 Good to know:

If you wish to stay in France after your visa expires, you must apply for a renewal online on the ANEF website between 4 and 2 months before your visa's expiry date.
A delay incurs a penalty of €180.
In case of technical issues on the ANEF website, try another browser or contact their support via the online form.

Download the Full Guide

VALIDATING YOUR “TALENT-CHERCHEUR” VISA

If you come to France with a long-stay visa marked “talent-chercheur” and “CESEDA R311-3 9°”, “431-16 10°” or “PT4 VLS TS valider en ligne”, you must validate it online within 3 months of your arrival for it to be considered as a residence permit (except for Algerian nationals, who follow another procedure).

This procedure is mandatory.

👉 Validation is done on the ANEF website.

You will need to:

provide your personal information (visa number, passport, address in France...),
pay a tax of €200 in the form of an electronic tax stamp,
download and keep your validation certificate (PDF).

⚠️ This validation certificate is very important: it contains your foreign national number and will be required for all your procedures (visa renewal, health insurance, housing, work, mobility in Europe...).