FRANCE

Visa, Immigration, Residence and Nationality in France

How can we help you?

We are a team of experts in the field of immigration and we collaborate closely with official translators, financial advisors, notaries and lawyers. We are dedicated to our work and helping our clients integrate successfully in France by making their dream a reality.

VIP Serveis France offers a wide range of services:

  • Applying for a Visa.
  • Applying  for a residence permit.
  • Applying for a permanent residence permit.
  • Applying for the French nationality (for individuals who already have a permanent residence permit in France).

We work with the main financial institutions of France, such as Société Générale, Crédit Agricole and BNP Paribas. This allows us to provide our clients with the best investment options and financial management.

ionicons-v5-j

We assist our clients in finding the best schools, both public and private, for their children.

ionicons-v5-d

We help our clients change their drivers license.

If you wish to find out more about our services or the application process, do not hesitate to contact us by calling us directly via WhatsApp or Telegram: +33 7 68 15 23 00 | + 33 6 21 66 20 09.

Advantages of France

France is an excellent destination for anyone who is looking for a change of scenery. Below you can find some of the many advantages of living in France:

ionicons-v5-e

Residents of France have the opportunity to visit all of the countries in the Schengen Area.

The French nationality can be obtained after 5 years of continuous residence in France.

ionicons-v5-h

France offers high-quality education, both public and private. Additionally, some of the most well-known universities are located in France, such as Science Po and Paris-Panthéon-Assas.

ionicons-v5-m

French is one of the most important and spoken languages in the world.

The level of technology in France is of good quality, leading companies such as La French Tech to develop in France.

As a visitor resident in France, you do not have to become a tax resident of the country.

ionicons-v5-d

France’s extensive transport infrastructure allows easy access to other countries.

France has one of the best cuisines in the world, a unique culture, history and art and an exceptional climate and natural beauty.

The country has an excellent healthcare system.

Residence permits.

1. Residence permit «Visiteur»

The 4 main conditions for a financially independent requester to obtain the residence permit are established by the French Immigration Department, are the following:

  • Documents proving that you possess sufficient economic resources to live and cover all expenses in France.
  • An address in France (real estate purchased, rented or being housed as long as the space requirements are met in the housing you reside in).
  • Not having a job in French territory.
  • Have a valid healthcare insurance during the totality of your stay in France.
  • Passport
  • ID.
  • Birth certificate
  • Justification of marriage/divorce (if applicable).
  • Diploma(s) (is applicable).
  • Medical insurance valid for at least 12 months at all risk in French territory.
  • Documents demonstrating your socio.economic situation.
  • Documents proving that you have sufficient economic resources to live in France.
  • Vaccination book (for kids under 16 years old).
  • School certificate (for kids under 16 years old).
  • Kid’s inscription in a French school.
  • Motivation letter.
  • Title deed or rent contract of a house/flat in France.
  • Signed letter confirming you won’t work in France during your stay.
  • Criminal record certificate.
  • To begin with, you need to compile and formalise all the essential papers required for your case. Some of your documents will need to be authenticated or notarised, depending on which country issues them;
  • We work with official translators who will translate your documents into French;
  • We can help you subscribe to a medical heath insurance;
  • The real estate agents we cooperate with will be able to assist you in your search for accommodation in France;
  • We will prepare your application to apply for a long-stay visa as a “visitor” to France. Once your application is complete, you can present it at an interview with the French consular authorities in your country of residence or citizenship;
  • If your request is approved, you will be issued with a national long-term visitor’s visa. This visa is valid for 12 months;
  • You will be required to travel to France within the first 2 months of validity of the long-stay visa in order to use it as a residence permit, which confirms your status as a legal resident in France. You can apply for a travel permit for foreign minors for your children under the age of 18. This document will be valid for the same period as the parents’ document;
  • It is only during your first year of residence in France that you will have the option of substituting your foreign driving licence for a French driving licence (if France has concluded an agreement with the country or state that issued your driving licence);
  • It is vital to note that the first 5 residence permits are each worth one year. They are renewable on a yearly basis. After 5 years, you can apply for a permanent residence permit, which is valid for 10 years;
  • Finally, once you have been granted a residence permit in France and have lived in the country continually for at least 5 years, you can apply for French nationality.

2. French Tech immigration programme or “Passeport Talent”.

The French Tech visa for investors is intended for those who wish to settle in France by investing in a French high technology firm. The key terms and conditions for investors are as follows:

  • Invest at a minimum of €300,000 in a French technology company;
  • Own at least 30% of the registered capital;
  • Hold at least 10% of the business in which you invest;
  • Create new jobs or retain existing jobs in the company for a minimum of four (4) years.
  • The initial French residence permit delivered to the applicant and members of his or her family (spouse and children) remains valid for a maximum period of 4 years. The requester’s spouse may have the option to work in France.
  • Passport and ID.
  • Birth records and marriage/divorce certificates (if applicable).
  • Diplomas.
  • CV and motivation letter.
  • Proof of accommodation and health insurance subscription in France.
  • Police certificate.
  • Documentation showing that the candidate himself/herself runs a company with a share of at least 30%;
  • An investment project plan and commitment letter stating the number of jobs to be created within four years of the investment in France;
  • Evidence that the applicant has directly invested, or has agreed to invest directly, at least 300,000 € in tangible or intangible fixed assets in France over a four-year period;
  • If the investment has been made previously: any document certifying the effectiveness of the investment made, in particular,  a certificate showing that at least 300,000 € of the money invested has been deposited in the company’s account.
  • Corporate tax is 25% in France
  • The income tax scale is progressive:
    • For income up to €10,777, the tax rate is 0%.
    • From €10,778 to €27,478, the rate is 11%.
    • From €27,479 to €78,570, the rate is 30%.
    • From €78,571 to €168,994, the rate is 41%.
    • Above €168,994, the tax rate is 45%.
  • Notaire’s fees for a new-build property average 2-3% of the price of the property, compared with 7-8% for an old-build property.
  • You have the option of renewing your visitor permit annually without having to make a personal declaration of income from outside France.
  • There is no fixed minimum or maximum period of residence for renewing and/or keeping a visitor’s permit.
  • Children under the age of 18 may be included in the principal candidate’s file.
  • There is no specific residence permit for minors, but they may obtain a circulation document for foreign minors, which is similar to a visa allowing children to travel to and from France.
  • You can apply to swap your foreign driving licence for a French licence during the first year of residence in France (provided that France has an agreement with the country or state issuing the driving licence).

Nationality

There are several ways you can obtain a French nationality:

1

Naturalisation

You can obtain the French nationality through naturalization after 5 years of legal residence. If you have completed your higher education in France or if you have rendered exceptional services to France, you can obtain the French nationality after only 2 years of residence. Foreigners who have served in the French army are exempt from the minimum residence requirement.

In order to obtain the French nationality, you need to prove you have integrated well into French society, i.e. you are fluent in French and familiar with the rights and obligations of a French citizen. Individuals over the age of 65 only need to complete an oral exam in French.

Children under the age of 18 can be added to the application and granted French nationality (under certain conditions).

2

Blood law

A child can obtain the French nationality if one of the parents is French.

3

If the child is born in France:

A child born in France to foreign parents (if the mother was not a short-stay tourist) can obtain the French nationality by descent from the age of 16 and become French at the age of 18, provided they have lived in France for 5 consecutive years from the age of 11.

A change in French legislation in 2015 also allows children to acquire French nationality at 18, provided they have lived in France since the age of 6, attend a French school and have a sibling who has acquired the French nationality.

If you are a foreign parent to a a child over the age of 13 who has lived in France since the age of 8, you can request the French nationality on their behalf.

4

Marriage:

A foreigner who is married to a French citizen can obtain the French nationality if they meet one of the following conditions:

  • The couple has been legally married and has resided in France for at least 4 years.
  • The  couple has been legally married and has lived together outside of France for at least 5 years.

Book an appointment

*You will be able to choose a specific date in the next step.

Consultation

80,00 € VAT incl.

A simple and convenient solution for any query related to your immigration process.

Book an appointment

Do you have any doubts?

Write to us through this form or by writing directly to europe@vip-serveis.com

We will process your data to answer your query. If you accept, you will receive commercial communications about our services. You can exercise your rights of access, rectification, suppression and opposition, among others, according to our Privacy policy.