France: Passeport Talent-Investor (Investor Visa)
The Passeport Talent: Investor allows major investors in business to move to France with their family.
If you plan to invest in a tech startup, you may also qualify for the French Tech Visa.
Benefits
- Renewable after 4 years
- Includes family
- Path to Permanent Residence
- Includes right to work
- EU member
- Suits a variety of investments
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
$365,000+ invested over 4 years (including $61,000+ invested immediately)
Your investment must be made directly by you, or by a business in which you are at least a 30% shareholder. You must own at least 10% of the company that you are investing in, and this investment must create or protect jobs in the next four years.
Fees
- Visa application fee: $118
- Residence permit fee: $270
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” “investisseur économique” (Skilled residence permit - Investor).
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. Be sure to validate it within 3 months of arriving in France.
Documents Required
Depending on your situation, you may need:
- Passport, valid at least 3 months after your visa would expire
- Completed application form
- 3 35mm x 40mm passport photos
- Documents proving family relationships to all dependents (such as marriage license and birth certificate)
- Proof of professional qualifications and experience
- Investment plan demonstrating that $365,000 has been invested or will be invested over 4 years
- Proof of bank balance to make the investment or proof of loan or financing to make the investment
- Proof that you own at least 30% of the company making the investment
- Explanation of how your investment will create or protect jobs in France
- Proof of income
- Proof of medical and travel insurance
- Return plane ticket or proof of financial means to obtain one
- Accommodation details
- Police clearance from your home country and your country of residence
- Proof of current residence
Other documents may be required. Consult the visa wizard and your local consulate.
