National long-stay visa (D): Emirati citizen → France
Over 90 days means France's national rules
Living, working or studying in France is governed by France's own immigration law, not the shared Schengen rules — every nationality without free movement needs a national (D) visa or permit.
The bottom line
- Long stays use the VLS-TS (long-stay visa worth a residence permit), which must be validated online within 3 months of arrival — no prefecture visit needed for the first year.
- Apply through France-Visas (mandatory online start for every application) — the EU-level rules only guarantee that a D visa lets you visit the OTHER Schengen states 90 days in any 180.
- Being visa-exempt for short stays does NOT let you move to France: the 90-day waiver never covers employment or residence.
When to start
Start 2–4 months before your travel date.
National routes start with the underlying purpose: a job offer or contract, university admission, or proof of family ties. Long stays use the VLS-TS (long-stay visa worth a residence permit), which must be validated online within 3 months of arrival — no prefecture visit needed for the first year.
Start on the official portal (France-Visas (mandatory online start for every application)) and follow the route for your purpose. TLScontact in most countries (took over the USA from VFS in April 2025); Capago in parts of Africa.
Lodge documents and biometrics at France's mission or application centre covering United Arab Emirates. National-visa appointments are scarcer than short-stay ones — book the moment your file is ready.
Long-stay decisions involve in-country authorities (migration agency, labour office or canton/region) and typically take 1–3 months — don't book non-refundable travel until granted.
Most states require converting the D visa into a residence permit or registering your address shortly after arrival — France's rules are in the guide above. Missing this deadline can invalidate the stay.
What you'll need
- Passport — Valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the area, issued within the last 10 years, with 2 blank pages.
- Purpose evidence — Employment contract, admission letter, or family documents — the core of a national application.
- Financial evidence — Bank statements, salary or scholarship meeting the destination's national threshold.
- Health insurance — Coverage valid in the destination until you join its national system. · Until local insurance starts
- Proof of status in United Arab Emirates — Evidence you legally reside where you're applying. · If requested
Good to know
- A D visa from one state lets you move around the other Schengen states 90 days in any 180 — but you may only live, work or study in the issuing state.
- Every nationality needs the national route, including visa-exempt (Annex II) nationals — the 90-day waiver never covers employment or residence.
Where you'll apply
Where you'll apply in United Arab Emirates
Single missionWho runs the centre: France's UAE visa centre is in Abu Dhabi only
France does not have an application centre in Dubai — Dubai and Northern-Emirates residents must travel to Abu Dhabi for the biometric appointment.
Application centres: Abu Dhabi
Getting a slot — book early · community-reported, checked 2026-06-13
- Slots are released in batches with no fixed public schedule — most often early morning local time, on Monday mornings, and around the 1st of the month.
- For popular consulates (e.g. France, Italy and Spain in big cities), a fresh batch can be gone within minutes — be registered and logged in before you look.
- Cancellations free up slots throughout the day, so check daily even when it shows ‘no availability’.
- Because of this, apply as early as you are allowed — up to 6 months before travel. Waiting until 1–2 months out often means no slots are left at all.
Continue on the official site →