France maintains its position as the preferred European destination for foreign investment projects. In a competitive context between different European states, France manages to remain one of the most attractive countries in Europe.
It is therefore important for the French public authorities to offer investors and business creators the possibility of obtaining a Professional visa specially adapted to their status and their projects.
The Visa Talent France is the gateway for foreign entrepreneurs who wish to start a business and live in France. It gives access to several privileges such as a long stay of up to 4 years, free movement within the Schengen area, and the possibility of coming with members of your family.
This type of Investor Visa is oriented towards foreigners, economic operators wishing to come and live in France for the long term? The Visa Talent “Economic Investor” program is designed for business creators who add value to the economy and who are committed to creating jobs. In return, they are granted family benefits and incentives.
Conditions
To obtain a “talent” residence permit as a foreign investor, you will have to meet two major regulatory conditions:
• justify the creation (or commit to doing so) and/or the safeguarding of jobs on French territory within four years following the investment: to do this, you will need to produce a “investment plan” or a “business plan” ;
• justify the realization on French territory of a direct investment in tangible or intangible assets of at least 300,000 euros.
Investment on French territory can be personal or through a company that you manage personally or in which you hold at least 30% of the capital.
British citizens must now also apply for a residence permit like any applicant residing outside the European Economic Area.
A foreign investor wishing to establish himself in France in order to carry out an investment project can request a “ Talent Passport » Economic Investor mention » if it makes a direct economic investment:
• personally ; Or
• through a company he manages; Or
• through a company in which he holds at least 30% of the capital.
• justify the creation (or commit to doing so) and/or the safeguarding of jobs on French territory within four years following the investment: to do this, you will need to produce a “investment plan” or a “business plan” ;
• justify the realization on French territory of a direct investment in tangible or intangible assets of at least 300,000 euros.
Investment on French territory can be personal or through a company that you manage personally or in which you hold at least 30% of the capital.
British citizens must now also apply for a residence permit like any applicant residing outside the European Economic Area.
A foreign investor wishing to establish himself in France in order to carry out an investment project can request a “ Talent Passport » Economic Investor mention » if it makes a direct economic investment:
• personally ; Or
• through a company he manages; Or
• through a company in which he holds at least 30% of the capital.
He must also meet the following cumulative conditions:
• create or save, or commit to creating or save, employment within the four years following the investment on French territory;
• carry out or undertake to carry out on French territory a investment in tangible or intangible assets of at least €300,000.
• create or save, or commit to creating or save, employment within the four years following the investment on French territory;
• carry out or undertake to carry out on French territory a investment in tangible or intangible assets of at least €300,000.
Direct investments are understood as investments in share capital, reinvested profits or “inter-affiliate loans”. Exclusively financial investments are thus excluded from the system.
Duration of stay
Maximum duration of 4 years (renewable).
The validity period of this card is variable and determined by the nature, characteristics and duration of the investment envisaged on French territory.
Beneficiaries of the residence permit.
The Talent Investor Passport also extends to spouse of the main applicant and to children dependent minors under 18 years old. The French government issues them a visa stating: Talent-family passport.
The Talent Passport grants the principal applicant and his family countless privileges. It allows you to live, move around, study and freely carry out the activities of your choice for a renewable period of 4 years maximum.
It gives you and your spouse as well as your children free access to the French education, social security and public health system. Thanks to a talent passport, you will become member of the European Union.
The investor himself and his family can benefit from an excellent living environment and have access to free education, the health system and French social institutions.
Procedure
If the investor resides outside France, the French diplomatic consular authorities of his place of habitual residence are competent.
The application for a long-stay visa bearing the mention “Passeport Talent Investisseur” authorizing entry into French territory for the foreign investor is initiated on the official France-visas website.
Once in France, foreign talent must go as soon as it arrives on the dedicated platform to applications for a “Talent Passport” residence permit in order to finalize the residence permit application procedures.
Once the request has been validated by the Prefecture via the platform, foreign talent receives a certificate of favorable decision which will constitute a residence permit while waiting for the appointment at the Prefecture to collect the residence permit.
Between submitting the application and receiving the residence permit, the foreign talent can consult the status of their application in their online account, respond to any requests to complete their file and become aware of the decisions taken.
Jean-Jacques Michallon
French Business Lawyer
and Immigration Attorney
www.j2m-online.fr/en