FRANCE

Immigration Visa, Residency and Citizenship in France

How can we help you?

We are a team of immigration experts who work closely with various professionals such as official translators, financial advisors, notaries, brokers, and lawyers. Our commitment is to guide and assist our clients in obtaining an immigration visa, a residence permits, or citizenship in France. We also provide comprehensive support for successful integration into French society.

VIP Serveis France offers a wide range of services:

  • Long-stay visa applications.
  • Residence permit applications.
  • Change of status and renewal of a residence permit.
  • Long-term or permanent residence permit applications.
  • French citizenship applications (for individuals holding a permanent residence permit in France).

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

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We help our clients identify suitable educational options for their children, including both public and private schools.

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We assist our clients with the process of exchanging their driver’s license.

For more information about our services or the application process, please feel free to contact us directly at: +33 7 68 15 23 00 | + 33 6 21 66 20 09 (available on both WhatsApp and Telegram).

Advantages of France

France is an excellent destination for relocation, particularly for those seeking a change of scenery. Below are some of the many benefits of living in France:

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

French citizenship can be acquired after five years of continuous residence in France.

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In France, you will find high-quality education at both public and private institutions. It is also home to some of the most prestigious universities, such as Sciences Po and Paris-Panthéon-Assas.

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

France boasts a high standard of technology, which has fostered the growth of leading companies such as La French Tech.

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

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France’s extensive transportation infrastructure provides easy travel to other countries.

France is renowned for its world-class cuisine, unique culture, rich history, and exceptional arts. It also offers a remarkable climate and stunning natural beauty.

The country has an excellent healthcare system.

Residence permits.

1. Long-stay visa and residence permit with the mention «visiteur»

The French Immigration Department has established the following four main conditions for a financially independent applicant to obtain a long-stay visa followed by a residence permit:

  1. Proof of sufficient economic resources to live and cover all expenses in France.
  2. An address in France (whether purchased, rented, as long as the housing meets minimal space requirements for the number of applicants).
  3. To not occupy an employment in France.
  4. Posses a health insurance that covers the entire length of your stay in France.

Below is a general list of documents required for a long-stay visitor visa in France. Please note that any foreign documents will have to be translated into French.

  • Passport
  • National ID.
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate, divorce certificate, if applicable.
  • Obtained diploma(s).
  • Police clearance.
  • Documents demonstrating your socio economical situation.
  • Documents proving that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself in France.
  • Bank statements.
  • Vaccination booklet (for children under 18 years old).
  • School certificate (for children under 18 years old).
  • Children’s inscription in a French school.
  • Motivation letter.
  • Title deed or rental agreement of a house or a flat in France (along with utility bills).
  • Signed letter attesting you will not engage in any professional activities in France.
  • Medical insurance valid for at least 12 months at all risk in French territory.
  • 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.

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Consultation

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

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