French Business Visa Types

France has long been a leading country in Europe and it is particularly attractive for anybody looking to set up or expand their business or advance their career.

This is useful for anybody from the Schengen Area which is a large group of European countries that have passport-free border control, because they can do this with relative ease. Because the UK is not a member of the Schengen Area, however, you will need to apply for a French Business Visa.

There are two main types of visas for UK citizens wanting to stay in France to participate in artisanal, commercial, agricultural, industrial, or research activities. Importantly, this can be either on a self-employed or employed basis.

Short-stay visas are for those who will be staying no more than 90 days within a rolling 6-month period (this visa applies to the whole Schengen region and is commonly referred to as the ‘Schengen Visa’).

If you want to stay longer than 90 days within a 6-month period then you will need to apply in advance for a long-stay visa and this requires that you spend over 3 months, but under 12 months, in France.

If you are looking to set up a new business then you must be able to demonstrate the viability of this business and the likelihood of its success. If you wish to work in a defined area or space then you must be able to demonstrate that you have the independent financial means to support your work.

Page Contents

• Types of Business Visas Available in France
• Rights and Limitations of a Business Visa Holder in France
• Required Documents for a Business Visa Application in France
• Fees and Costs Associated with a Business Visa Application in France
• Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Business Visa in France
• Processing Time for a Business Visa in France
• Renewing or Extending a Business Visa in France
• Total Law Can Help You
• Frequently Asked Questions

These types of France visas allow you to do several things, depending on whether you are self-employed or an employee.

As a self-employed worker, you will be able to:

• Conduct internal audits
• Meet and undertake work for clients e.g. installing equipment
• Attend conferences within your field
• Start or take part in self-employed activities

As an employee, you will be able to:

• Undertake any services as instructed by your employer
• Take part in training and conferences
• Work for a fixed period for a French employer e.g. seasonal or temporary work
• Work in France as part of intra-group transfers

There are also additional rights and limitations depending on your field. For example, if you are a medical professional or a teacher then you will need to meet additional criteria and if you are working in one of France’s developing areas and are classed as ‘international talent’ then your family may be able to accompany you. France is also more lenient towards young employees.

Regardless of whether you are applying for a short or long-stay French Business visa, you will need a variety of documents. Some documents may take a while to obtain so it is important to start collecting all of them as early as possible.

When applying for your Business visa, you will need:

• Two passport-style photos that have been taken within the last 3 months
• A valid passport that has at least 3 more months of validity and two blank pages
• Proof that you have paid your visa fee
• A travel itinerary detailing what you intend to do in France, how you plan to travel, and evidence of your return travel
• Proof of financial means such as bank statements or an employment contract
• Proof of your accommodation in France such as reservations or reception letters
• A certificate of your criminal record with no ongoing cases
• Evidence of your medical insurance that must cover the Schengen Area for at least €30,000
• Copies of visas to any previous countries
• Documents that prove your business intentions

There are also several documents you will require that depend on your occupation status.

If you are self-employed, you will also need:

• A copy of your business license
• A company bank statement from within the previous 6 months
• Income Tax Return documents

If you are employed, you will also need:

• A bank statement from within the previous 6 months
• Leave permission from the employer
• A copy of your employment contract
• Income Tax Return documents

It is worth noting that you may be asked for additional documents, depending on the type of visa you are applying for and the nature of the work you intend to undertake. If this is applicable then this will be explained by your visa consular during your interview.

For those applying from Schengen countries as well as Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, and Kosovo, the fee for a Business visa is €35. However, the fee for UK citizens is €80 and this covers the costs involved with processing the visa application.

There are, however, some notable exceptions for this fee, but only for the following types of people:

• Spouses of French citizens
• Seasonal workers
• Scientific researchers
• Language assistants and teaching assistants
• Foreigners who teach French
• Family members of a citizen of the EU or Switzerland
• Anybody who hotels a diplomatic or service passport
• Children under the age of 6
• Primary or secondary school students on a study visit, and accompanying teachers
• Anybody who has received a French study grant

There are also Residence Permit fees that will need to be paid, but these are separate from the visa application. It is best to ask your visa consular about this at the end of your interview if you are uncertain or you can hire one of our team at Total Law for clarification of this process.

The first thing you will need to do to apply for a French Business visa is to fill out an online form. You will be asked to make an appointment with the relevant authorities in your country at this stage, either online or by phone. For the UK, this will likely be the French embassy in London. You will need to make sure the date of application is between two weeks and three months of your departure date.

In your interview, the visa consular will ask questions that relate to your stay and your business needs. It is important to think through how you would like to answer these types of questions before attending and it is best to bring a physical copy of any relevant documents listed above, just in case you need them. Be as open as possible because any relevant details you choose to withhold may work against you.

In general, French embassies aim to respond to visa applications in 2 weeks, which is why they ask for applications to be made no less than two weeks before the departure date.

However, the actual processing time can vary depending on several factors including:

• The embassy you applied from
• The type of visa you are applying for
• The nature of the work you intend to undertake
• The verification of your documents
• Whether any additional documents are required or not
• Capacity at the time of application

If the embassy thinks your application decision will take longer than two weeks then they will usually inform you of this. If it has been two weeks and you are still waiting to hear from your local embassy then it is best to get in touch with them to make sure there have been no complications.

If you have a French Business visa and wish for it to be renewed or extended then, as a general rule of thumb, the French authorities prefer you to exit the country and apply for a new visa instead.

However, several exceptional circumstances justify a renewal or extension, and these are the following:

• If you cannot return to your country because of serious events that have transpired during your stay, such as natural disasters, major political events, extreme weather conditions, and the cancellation of travel
• Humanitarian reasons that are linked to the person who has been granted a Business visa, such as medical issues or close family events
• If your business purposes were unable to be concluded within the given time period

For your case to be considered, it is important to make your application for a renewal or extension before your current visa expires. Your application can be made to the local Prefecture (district) within France.

You will need the following documents for a successful application:

• A visa extension application form
• A valid passport that shows your original visa
• Confirmation of your return travel
• A written request for an extension
• Two passport photographs
• A document detailing the reasons for your request such as a certificate from your employer or a medical certificate