Five relaiable ways to move to France

We tell you who in France is considered financially independent, what talents you need to possess, how to study, work and run a business to get a residence permit. Described in the article methods of moving to permanent residence are suitable for all foreigners, including Russians and Belarusians. At the end of the material are links to official websites and contacts of immigration lawyers.

 

№ 1. Residence permit for financially independent persons

The easiest way for people who can afford to live in France without working is to obtain a Carte de sejour temporaire "Visiteur", or Visiteur visa.

The formal financial requirements are to prove an annual income above the minimum wage in France. At the end of 2023, this amount is €16,597.03. In practice, the foreigner's task is to prove that he or she is a wealthy person, which means it is better to demonstrate a higher income. In the experience of lawyers, an amount of €25 thousand per person is sufficient.

All legal confirmed income is taken into account: rent, royalties, dividends, pensions and even salary (of course, from an employer outside France). The higher the income, the more chances to get approval, and in the future - the extension of the status.

Housing can be either owned or rented for a period of at least 12 months. The minimum rental value is not prescribed, but it must be a quality habitable object, and each person must have at least 9 square meters. meters. meters. Having your own accommodation will be an advantage.

There is one non-standard requirement - minor children must be obligatorily enrolled in a French school. This will be checked and taken into account when extending the status.

 This type of residence permit is issued for one year with the right to extend it an unlimited number of times. After five years of legal residence in France, you have the right to apply for permanent residence and after that - for citizenship. At the stage of applying for a residence permit it is necessary to prove knowledge of French at the pre-intermediaire level, for citizenship - intermediaire.

 

 № 2. Passport Talent

The Passeport Talent visa was introduced specifically to attract talented people to the country who can contribute to the prosperity of France.

Passport Talent can be applied for by:

Entrepreneurs / start-ups
A well-developed and cost-effective innovative project is required. To be approved, you must defend your business plan and prove to French government authorities that the company will benefit the country.

Founders and co-owners of companies
It is necessary to present a project of a commercial, trade or industrial enterprise that will be realized in France or already exists. You must be a certified specialist or have at least five years of professional experience in the field, as well as invest €30,000 or more.

Investors
It is necessary to invest an amount of €300 thousand or more in the economy and to create/save jobs for at least four years after the investment. Capital can be invested personally or through a company in which a foreigner owns at least 30% of the assets.

Authorized representative of a company with a branch in France
Corporate officers who have come to France to officially represent the interests of a company where they have been working for at least three months can apply. The annual salary must be three times the minimum wage in France.

Qualified employees
The program is designed for graduates of specialized universities whose diplomas are recognized in France, or professionals with at least five years of professional experience in the field. An employment contract with a French employer for a period of 12 months or more and an annual salary of at least one and a half times the average base salary (excluding contributions and deductions) in France are required.

Scientists/researchers
Employees of research and educational institutions who are posted to France on a business trip of up to four years are eligible to apply. The applicant must be a graduate of at least Master's level.

Employees of a foreign company
This option is designed for professionals of international corporations that have French representative offices/offices. The annual salary must be 1.8 times the official minimum wage in France. Work under a French labor contract of at least three months.

Employees of an innovative company
An employee of a company that is officially recognized as an innovative company with an employment contract of at least three months can apply for a residence permit. The activity must be related to innovative research and development, and the annual salary must be twice the official minimum wage in France.

Internationally recognized persons
World stars, recognized masters of their craft in the following fields can obtain a visa: scientific, sports, educational, literary, intellectual, artistic. Employment contract or period of stay in the country - not less than three months.

Artists, painters or writers
This option is intended for representatives of creative professions legally employed or self-employed in France for three months or more. It is necessary to prove financial solvency. The amount - not less than 70% of the official minimum wage in France per person for each month of stay in the country. The funds are taken into account mainly from the activities carried out in France.

Within the framework of the program it is possible to transfer to France a family - a spouse and minor children. Family members also receive a multi-year foreigner's identity card, which entitles them to work.  

№ 3. Startup visa

The main way to move to France for startups from technological spheres is the La French Tech program. Citizens of countries outside the European Union and the European Economic Area can apply for a residence permit. Applications from Russians are also considered - we recently published "Personal Experience" of a girl from St. Petersburg who moved to France on this visa.

The requirement is to develop a plan for an innovative project that will be supported by a French government body (local authorities, public and educational institutions, state companies, etc.) or a startup incubator. And also to show personal financial solvency - an income equivalent to the official minimum wage in the country. But the higher the income, the better.

This type of residence permit is issued for the whole family for up to four years with the right to extend under the same conditions as the passport-talent.

№ 4. Study visa

One of the most popular ways to move is to study. It can be both a full-fledged higher education and short-term courses, for example, language courses. The type of visa depends on the length of study.

The main requirement is confirmation of enrollment or pre-enrollment in a French university (invitation from the university). It will also be necessary to prove that the foreigner has a place to stay for the first three months (hotel reservation, rental agreement, invitation from friends, certificate of accommodation in a hostel) and he has the means to live (minimum wage in the country).

Starting from the second year of study it is possible to apply for a work permit - no more than 20 working hours per week. Full-time employment for students is prohibited. After graduation, if a place can be found, there is a prospect of staying in the country on a work visa. Hopeful students who actively participated in local government programs can get a residence permit after two years of study. And in the long term, if they reside in the country permanently for five years - citizenship.

 № 5. Work visa

The classic long-term work visa is the most difficult to obtain of all the listed visas. Of course, if we are not talking about business trips and transfers within one company.

The first and main condition for obtaining a work visa in France is a valid employment contract with a French employer, which is certified by the Department of Work and Employment.

French laws protect the interests of local residents and citizens of other EU countries. The employer is obliged to offer the vacancy to them first, only after that it is possible to switch to foreign applicants. Also, the employer must obtain a special permit from the migration authorities, and to do this, the employer must prove that the foreigner has unique skills to work in the required field. This is a lengthy procedure, which companies undertake only if they are very interested.

If an employer is found, then there are no problems with obtaining a work permit and processing documents for a visa. Usually the company takes care of this part of the work or helps the foreigner as much as possible.