France: Passeport Talent-Entrepreneur (Investment Visa)

The Passeport Talent: Entrepreneur allows founders of qualified businesses in the commercial, artisanal, or industrial fields to move to France with their family.

This visa suits founders of non-tech companies. If you want to base a tech startup in France, check out the French Tech Visa. [link to BridgeZero page for French startup founders]

Benefits

Introduction

France has been the top destination for international tourists for more than 20 years, and for good reason. 

Rich in history, Paris, Avignon, Lille, and Marseille are all European capitals of culture. French foods like wine, cheese, croissants, chocolate, and bread are renowned around the world, and France boasts both a refined restaurant culture and a history of hearty, delicious home cooking. Encompassing the French Alps, the lavender fields of Provence, the Côte d'Azur (French Riviera on the Mediterranean coast), and more, France’s natural beauty has something for everyone.

Internet Speed

Fixed broadband: 192.25 Mbps download/137.82 Mbps upload

Mobile: 70.24 Mbps download/11.33 Mbps upload

Cost of living

No. 15 globally 

Requirements

$36,000+ to invest in a commercial, artisanal, or industrial business 

Master's degree or 5+ years of relevant professional experience

$22,321 per year income

Fees

Application Process

Start your application online. 

First, this short visa wizard will tell you about your eligibility, fees, and the documents required.

Next, fill out the full online application and submit your documentation. Residents of many countries can submit this full application online, but some will need to follow a different procedure

Then, make an appointment at your local French embassy or consulate. They may tell you to send your application to a consular service. You can find details of your country’s procedure here. Make your appointment 3 months ahead of when you plan to go to France, but no earlier. 

Take your documentation and passport to the appointment in person, pay your fees, and provide your biometrics. Any applicant over 12 years of age needs to come with you to the appointment, too.

You can track your application’s process. You will collect your passport and visa in person, or it may be sent to you by mail.

If you are approved, you will be issued a long-stay visa for “passeport talent” “créateur d’entreprise” (Skilled residence permit - Business creator).

Use the long-stay visa to enter France. Within 2 months after you arrive, take your documents to the préfecture (government administration office) local to where you live to apply for your residence permit. Consult your préfecture to find a full list of documents you need, and to make an appointment (if possible). 

If your residence permit is valid for less than 1 year (Long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit, or VLS-TS), you do not need to visit the prefecture in person. Instead, validate your visa online here. Be sure to validate it within 3 months of arriving in France.

Detailed explanation of the process 

Documents Required

Depending on your situation, you may need:

Other documents may be required. Consult the visa wizard and your local consulate.

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