France Entrepreneur Visa

The France Entrepreneur Visa is a gateway for business-minded individuals seeking to start and grow their entrepreneurial ventures in France. This specific visa category falls under the “long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit” and is designed for those who wish to engage in commercial, craft, or industrial activities, or exercise a liberal profession within the French territory. It serves a dual purpose: enabling entrepreneurs from around the world to contribute to France’s economic landscape, and in return, providing them with the opportunity to live in France and integrate into its business ecosystem.

The France Entrepreneur Visa is specifically intended for nationals of countries outside the European Union, including the UK. It allows them to set up or acquire a business in France, with a focus on innovation and positive economic impact. To be eligible for the visa, applicants must demonstrate the feasibility and potential for success of their business plan. Applicants must also demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support both the business and their livelihood in France. This visa offers entrepreneurs the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a renowned business environment known for its innovation, strong infrastructure and global connections.

In addition, the visa covers various aspects that are crucial for business development and personal establishment in France. It not only enables the creation of a company but also allows visa holders to legally reside in France for the duration of their project. It also offers the possibility of family reunification, allowing immediate family members to join the entrepreneur in France. The duration of the visa and the renewal procedure are tailored to the progress and sustainability of the business, so that successful entrepreneurs can maintain their status and continue to contribute to the French economy.

Page Contents

• An Overview Of France Entrepreneur Visa
• Requirements & Eligibility
• Applications Process
• Fees and Processing Time
• Visa Validity & Renewal Processes
• Bringing Family: Requirements
• Bringing UK Employees With You
• How Can Total Law Help You?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Embarking on the France Entrepreneur Visa application involves a structured procedure, which underlines validating the visa, understanding the associated costs, and adhering to processing times. These key elements create a clear path for both foreign applicants and those already in France.

If you begin this process outside of France, you must secure a long-stay visa designated for entrepreneurs from the nearest French consulate. Here are the steps you should follow:

• Fill out the visa application form labelled “Entrepreneur/independent professional” and turn it in with the required documents to the French consulate where you live. It usually takes about 15-20 days to process your application, but it can vary.
• Wait for your visa to be granted and given to you.
• Once you get to France, go online to the OFII website and confirm your visa. You should do this within your first three months in the country. To complete this step, you’ll need a working email address, details of your visa, your arrival date in France, your French home address, and a credit or debit card to pay for the residence permit fee.
• After completing the online validation, you will get your temporary residence permit. You won’t need to visit the Prefecture for the first year but do prepare for a mandatory health checkup and an integration session, which are standard procedures for new entrepreneurs in France.

If you’re currently in France on a different visa, transitioning to entrepreneur status requires you to visit your local Prefecture for a status change application, which should be done two months before your existing permit’s expiration. Success in this application grants you a one-year renewable temporary residence permit under the new status, aligning your official documents with your entrepreneurial activities.

Costs are an inevitable part of visa applications. For the entrepreneurial journey into France, the initial visa has a fee of €99. After setting foot in France and completing the online validation, there is a combined administrative cost of €225, encompassing both the OFII tax and the stamp duty.

When it comes to the time frames of this visa application, for overseas applicants, it’s best to initiate the process three months before your intended move to France. For those transitioning within France, the key is to apply two months prior to the expiry of your current permit. While exact processing times may fluctuate, these recommended time frames are designed to prevent unnecessary hold-ups.

The France Entrepreneur Visa is initially valid for one year, so if you’re an entrepreneur or self-employed, you’ll have these twelve months to develop your business in France. As the expiry date approaches, you must apply for renewal to maintain your legal status and continue your activities. You should start the renewal process two months before your current visa expires.

Renewing your visa requires proving that your business venture is still up and running and meets the French economic standards set during your initial application. You need to show that your business provides you with a stable income at least equal to the French minimum wage, which as of May 1, 2023, is €20,814.73 per year. This is crucial to demonstrate that your business activity is sustainable and that you can support yourself in France without needing additional public funds.

When applying for renewal, you’ll submit the necessary documents to the Prefecture, the local representative of the national government. These documents include evidence of your business’s ongoing activity and your financial stability. It’s essential to check with the Prefecture or their website to get the exact list of required documents, as it may vary or be updated. If your renewal is successful, you’ll get a visa extension for four more years.

Once you’ve lived continuously in the country for five years, you can apply for a long-term residency card, also known as “Long-Term Residence CE,” which is similar to permanent residence. For obtaining this, you need full health insurance and must maintain the original requirements for finances and housing. You also need to know French at an A2 level. This card lasts for ten years and can be renewed.

This residence card is a significant upgrade of your status, as it allows you to live and work in France with fewer restrictions. In particular, it gives you the freedom to pursue any paid employment, not just your entrepreneurial activity, and to travel more freely within the Schengen area.

After five years of holding this long-term residency card while living in the country without breaks, you can apply for French citizenship. To make your application eligible, you’ll need to keep your comprehensive health insurance, show that you can support yourself financially, have housing, and speak French at a B1 level. Part of the application includes an interview in French to demonstrate your cultural assimilation. Getting citizenship could take up to 18 months.

If you have dependents, they can apply for permanent residency after living in France for three years uninterrupted and can seek citizenship after five years, following the same process described above.

Bringing family along when moving to France on an Entrepreneur Visa is possible, but it follows a separate procedure from the primary applicant’s. Entrepreneurs cannot use the fast-track system for their family members. Instead, they have two main options: applying for a residence permit for each family member or going through family reunification.

For individual residence permits, family members can apply independently based on their situation. For example, if a spouse finds employment in France, they can apply for an employee residence permit. This application is independent of the entrepreneur’s visa and is subject to the same requirements and processes as for any resident in France.

Family reunification is a more structured process. It’s designed for foreign nationals who have lived in France legally for at least 18 months. Under this term, spouses and children can apply to join the entrepreneur in France. The process involves proving the family ties and the entrepreneur’s ability to support their family members financially and provide adequate living space in France.

To start the family reunification process, the entrepreneur must submit an application at the Préfecture. It’s crucial to begin this process well before the family intends to move, as it can be lengthy and requires thorough documentation. The Préfecture will review the living conditions, resources, and family situation before granting approval. Once approved, family members will receive a visa to enter France and can then apply for a residence permit. This permit will allow them to live, and potentially work, in France, joining the entrepreneur in their new life and business ventures.

UK employers looking to transfer employees to France must navigate the post-Brexit visa system. Since the UK is no longer part of the EU, British citizens are considered third-country nationals in France. For stays exceeding 90 days, UK citizens must apply for a Long Stay visa. This is regardless of the visit’s purpose, whether for work, study, or family reunification​​.

The application process begins at the French Consulate in London. Applications are managed by TLScontact, an external service provider, but all information and forms can be found on the official France-Visas website. Here, employers and employees can access a visa wizard tool, which guides them through the necessity of a visa based on their situation, the documents required, and the relevant fee​​.

For stays under 90 days, UK citizens do not require a visa, but they must obtain a temporary work permit. This does not apply if the visit is for certain activities such as attending seminars or cultural events. However, for longer stays, the employer must ensure the employee secures a Long Stay visa before departure​​.

British frontier workers already working in France continue to have the right to enter and stay. If they were working in France before January 1, 2021, they need to hold a ‘document de circulation’ requested from the Prefecture where they work​​.