France attracts 1000’s of founders, freelancers, and small enterprise homeowners annually because of its robust financial system, world market entry, and wealthy entrepreneurial tradition.
The France Entrepreneur Visa, formally often called the VLS/TS entrepreneur/occupation libérale, is without doubt one of the commonest pathways for non-EU nationals who need to begin or run a enterprise in France.
This long-stay visa lets you dwell in France for greater than 12 months, handle a enterprise legally, and acquire entry to the nation’s social and financial alternatives.
This information explains the right way to apply for the Entrepreneur Visa in France, who qualifies, what paperwork you want, the applying steps, and how one can finally transition to long-term residency. Additionally, you will study monetary necessities, household choices, and various visas for entrepreneurs.
Whether or not you propose to open a café in Lyon, work as a contract marketing consultant in Paris, or launch a tech startup in Marseille, this text offers you the sensible steps it’s worthwhile to transfer ahead with confidence.
What’s the France Entrepreneur Visa?
The France Entrepreneur Visa is a long-stay visa class designed for self-employed professionals, freelancers, and enterprise founders who need to dwell and work in France. Its official title is the VLS/TS entrepreneur/occupation libérale, the place VLS/TS stands for Visa de Lengthy Séjour valant Titre de Séjour (long-stay visa equal to a residence allow).
This visa lets you enter France, reside for as much as 12 months throughout the first interval, and have interaction in a self-employed skilled exercise legally.
As soon as granted, the visa capabilities each as an entry visa and as a brief residence allow. After arrival, you validate it on-line with the French immigration workplace (ANEF) and acquire the best to function your enterprise, entry public companies, and renew your keep. The visa might be prolonged yearly if your enterprise stays financially viable and compliant with French laws.
In contrast to EU nationals who take pleasure in computerized freedom of firm in France, non-EU residents require this visa to run a enterprise legally. The Entrepreneur Visa differs from extra superior allow classes just like the Expertise Passport – Business Creator, which is designed for bigger, revolutionary, or high-investment initiatives.
The Entrepreneur Visa focuses on small to mid-sized companies, freelancers, consultants, artisans, and liberal professionals, providing an easier and extra accessible path.
In case your aim is to begin a modest enterprise or function as a freelancer, this visa is normally one of the best match. In the event you plan to boost important funding, create jobs, or launch an revolutionary startup, you would possibly qualify for various pathways just like the Expertise Passport or French Tech Visa, which we’ll cowl later within the article.
Who’s Eligible?
Eligibility for the Entrepreneur Visa in France relies on each basic authorized necessities and business-specific standards. France evaluates candidates on their capability to assist themselves financially, contribute economically, and function a reliable, sustainable enterprise.
Basic Eligibility Necessities
To qualify, you could meet the next situations:
• Be at the least 18 years outdated
• Have a sound passport
• Present a clear felony file
• Maintain ample medical insurance
• Present proof of lodging in France (rental contract, resort reservation, or host attestation)
• Reveal monetary stability throughout your keep
These basic necessities guarantee you possibly can legally reside in France and combine easily throughout your first yr.
Business-Particular Eligibility Standards
The core requirement for this visa is the power to run a viable enterprise that generates revenue equal to or above the French minimal wage.
As of 2025, the minimal annual revenue threshold is €21,621.60 (primarily based on the French SMIC for full-time work). Your marketing strategy should present lifelike forecasts, anticipated income progress, and clear monetary sustainability.
France accepts numerous enterprise actions below the entrepreneur/occupation libérale class, together with:
• Freelance companies (IT, consulting, design, writing, teaching)
• On-line companies (e-commerce, digital advertising and marketing, content material creation)
• Hospitality and small retail ventures
• Artisan or craft-based actions
• Liberal professions resembling structure, psychotherapy, accounting
• Small import-export companies
• Native companies resembling cleansing, pictures, or tutoring
Regulated Professions
Some professions in France require particular authorization, licensing, or {qualifications}. These embrace:
• Healthcare (docs, nurses, therapists)
• Authorized professions (attorneys, notaries)
• Accounting and auditing
• Expert trades requiring certification (plumbing, electrical work, and so on.)
In case your occupation is regulated, you could safe the suitable approvals earlier than submitting your visa utility.
In particular circumstances, entrepreneurs planning to function in delicate industries might have pre-approval from the French Ministry of Financial system, a rule expanded in latest regulatory updates.
Software Course of Step-by-Step
Making use of for the Entrepreneur Visa in France includes a number of phases, every requiring cautious preparation and correct documentation.
The French authorities assess your utility primarily based in your marketing strategy, monetary stability, and readiness to function legally in France. Beneath is the complete, clear step-by-step information that helps you comply with the official course of with out confusion.
Step 1: Determine the Right Visa Sort
You could apply for the VLS/TS entrepreneur/occupation libérale.
That is the long-stay visa legitimate for enterprise founders, freelancers, and self-employed professionals.
In case your challenge falls below funding, innovation, or high-growth startup plans, chances are you’ll later swap to the Expertise Passport – Business Creator.
Step 2: Put together a Robust Business Plan
Your marketing strategy is probably the most important a part of your utility. It’s used to judge whether or not your challenge is possible and can generate sufficient revenue in France.
An entire marketing strategy ought to embrace:
• Government abstract
• Business description
• Market analysis for the French market
• Competitor evaluation
• Monetary projections for at the least 3 years
• Your skilled background and expertise
• Operational construction
• Advertising and gross sales technique
The monetary projection should present the potential revenue of €21,621.60 or extra per yr in 2025.
Authorities additionally examine if in case you have ample funds to launch your enterprise and maintain your self throughout the early months.
Step 3: Collect Required Paperwork
The documentation guidelines sometimes consists of:
• Legitimate passport (issued inside final 10 years)
• Accomplished visa utility kind
• Passport-size images assembly French specs
• Detailed marketing strategy
• Proof of economic assets (financial institution statements, financial savings, sponsorship, or funding)
• Proof of lodging in France
• Proof of enterprise construction (auto-entrepreneur, EI, EURL, SASU draft)
• Skilled {qualifications} or certificates
• Legal file extract
• Health insurance coverage certificates overlaying your complete keep
• Fee of visa charges
If you’re making use of from a rustic the place sure paperwork have to be legalized or translated, make sure you comply with these guidelines early to keep away from delays.
Step 4: Create Your Software on France-Visas
Functions should begin on the official France-Visas portal.
You’ll:
• Fill out the shape
• Choose VLS/TS entrepreneur/occupation libérale
• Add preliminary paperwork
• Obtain a customized doc guidelines
• E book an appointment at your native French consulate or VFS middle
Your remaining file should match the guidelines precisely.
Step 5: Submit Your Software on the Consulate or VFS Middle
In your appointment day:
• Carry all unique paperwork
• Put together organized copies for submission
• Attend the biometric session (fingerprints and photograph)
• Pay visa charges, normally between €99 and €120 relying in your area
The officer might ask questions on your marketing strategy, your expertise, how you’ll maintain your self, or why you selected France.
Step 6: Watch for Software Processing
Processing time normally ranges from 4 to eight weeks, relying in your nation of residence.
Some purposes take longer if extra approvals are required from:
• The French Ministry of Financial system
• The Prefecture in your future area
• Skilled regulatory boards
It’s possible you’ll examine updates on the France-Visas portal.
Step 7: Journey to France and Validate Your Visa
As soon as your visa is authorized, you could validate it inside 3 months of arrival through the ANEF platform.
This converts your VLS/TS right into a residence allow legitimate for 12 months.
You’ll pay a web-based tax stamp of €200.
Step 8: Register Your Business in France
Your online business have to be registered below the proper class:
• Auto-entrepreneur (easiest and commonest)
• EI or EIRL for single-owner companies
• EURL or SASU for extra formal constructions
• Liberal professionals by URSSAF
After registration, you’ll obtain:
• SIREN quantity
• SIRET quantity
• APE code
• URSSAF affiliation
These identifiers let you start working legally in France.
Validity, Renewal & Transition to Everlasting Residency
Understanding the timelines, renewal situations, and long-term residency choices is crucial for constructing your life and enterprise in France.
Visa Validity Interval
The VLS/TS entrepreneur/occupation libérale is legitimate for 12 months throughout the first yr.
Throughout this era, you might be allowed to:
• Function your enterprise
• Work with shoppers inside France or overseas
• Journey within the Schengen space for as much as 90 days in any 180-day interval
Renewal Necessities
To resume your residence allow, you could show that your enterprise stays secure. Renewal is dealt with on the native Prefecture, not by France-Visas.
Typical renewal paperwork embrace:
• Up to date marketing strategy (if modifications occurred)
• Proof of income assembly minimal wage threshold
• Up to date monetary information
• URSSAF statements
• Tax declarations
• Proof of handle
• Legitimate medical insurance
Prefectures normally search for income aligned with SMIC (French minimal wage). In case your first-year income barely falls quick however exhibits progress, many prefectures nonetheless grant renewal.
Transition to Lengthy-Time period Residency
After a number of renewals, chances are you’ll qualify for longer-term choices:
Multiyear Residence Allow (2 to 4 years)
Granted if your enterprise exhibits continued progress and compliance.
Expertise Passport Route
If your enterprise expands or turns into revolutionary, you possibly can transition to:
• Expertise Passport – Business Creator
• Expertise Passport – Revolutionary Undertaking
These permits last as long as 4 years, making them superb for fast-growing startups.
Carte de Résident (10-Yr Residency Card)
Eligible after 5 years of steady residence, supplied you have got:
• Secure revenue
• Integration into French society
• Clear authorized file
French Everlasting Residency
Holders of the 10-year card might renew it indefinitely.
Naturalization (French Citizenship)
Attainable after 5 years of residency generally, with language and integration necessities.
Bringing Household to France
The Entrepreneur Visa permits your partner and minor youngsters to hitch you in France by the household reunification course of.
How Household Members Apply
Your loved ones members should apply for a long-stay visa for household causes on the French consulate of their dwelling nation. They are going to want:
• Legitimate passports
• Proof of relationship (marriage or delivery certificates)
• Proof of your authorized keep
• Proof of your monetary capability to assist them
• Proof of lodging giant sufficient for the entire household
France sometimes requires that you simply meet the minimal family revenue threshold, primarily based on SMIC and household dimension.
Household Advantages in France
As soon as authorized, your partner and youngsters can take pleasure in:
• Authorized residence for a similar interval as your allow
• Entry to the French healthcare system
• Enrollment in France’s public or personal faculties
• Entry to group companies
• Capability for the partner to work (in some circumstances relying on the visa kind)
Households additionally profit from stability and improved integration when residing collectively in France.
Monetary & Logistical Issues
Bringing relations means planning for:
• Further residing prices (housing, groceries, utilities)
• Faculty enrollment formalities
• Health insurance coverage for dependents
• Native administrative registrations
Many candidates safe bigger lodging earlier than initiating reunification.
Monetary Issues and Assist
Monetary stability is a core requirement for the Entrepreneur Visa in France. The authorities need to guarantee that you could assist your self, maintain your enterprise, and preserve a secure revenue throughout your first yr within the nation.
Minimal Revenue Requirement
To qualify, your projected revenue should meet or exceed the French minimal wage.
For 2025, the annual threshold is €21,621.60 (primarily based on SMIC).
Your monetary projections ought to mirror lifelike income streams that may cowl:
• Hire
• Meals
• Utilities
• Transport
• Healthcare
• Business prices
In the event you plan to carry your loved ones, you have to extra revenue to reveal enough monetary assist.
Business Funding Choices in France
France affords a number of funding alternatives for entrepreneurs and small enterprise homeowners. Some frequent sources embrace:
• Private financial savings
• Financial institution loans from French or worldwide establishments
• Microloan applications like ADIE
• Regional grants obtainable in sure French areas
• Assist from Bpifrance for startups or innovation-driven initiatives
• EU-funded applications for eligible sectors
Whereas the Entrepreneur Visa doesn’t require giant funding quantities, exhibiting a transparent, secure funding plan will increase your approval probabilities.
Value of Residing Issues
The price of residing varies considerably by area.
Examples:
• Paris: €1,200 to €1,800 month-to-month for a studio condominium
• Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse: €700 to €1,100
• Smaller cities: €500 to €800
Embrace these bills in your price range planning since your income should realistically cowl your residing and enterprise operations.
Various Visa Choices for Entrepreneurs
The Entrepreneur Visa works nicely for freelancers, consultants, and small enterprise homeowners. Nonetheless, entrepreneurs with greater progress plans or substantial investments would possibly discover higher choices in various visa varieties.
Expertise Passport – Business Creator
This residence allow is right for entrepreneurs who plan to create a enterprise with:
• Excessive financial impression
• Revolutionary exercise
• A minimal funding of €30,000
• Detailed financial contribution to France
The Expertise Passport affords a keep of as much as 4 years, quicker processing, and a smoother path to everlasting residency.
French Tech Visa
This selection fits startup founders within the tech or digital sector. It helps revolutionary enterprise initiatives backed by:
• French Tech–licensed incubators
• Accelerators
• Enterprise capital companions
It’s a robust alternative for high-growth firms planning scalable operations.
Investor Visa
For entrepreneurs or traders who plan to take a position considerably in France, the Expertise Passport – Investor affords a path for these keen to take a position:
• At the very least €300,000 right into a French enterprise
• Or decide to job creation or safety
This visa affords long-term residence and entry to broader financial actions.
When to Select Options
A distinct visa choice could also be higher if:
• You propose to rent staff shortly
• You need visa validity longer than 12 months upfront
• Your challenge includes excessive innovation or expertise
• You want accelerated pathways to everlasting residency
How Immigration Specialists Can Assist
Making use of for the Entrepreneur Visa requires cautious consideration to the main points of enterprise planning, authorized necessities, and doc preparation. Many candidates select to work with immigration attorneys or consultancy companies to enhance approval probabilities.
Advantages of Utilizing a Skilled
• Knowledgeable overview of your marketing strategy
• Identification of lacking paperwork or weak monetary projections
• Steerage on consulate expectations
• Preparation for visa interview questions
• Recommendation on selecting one of the best enterprise construction in France
• Assist by the validation and renewal course of
• Help with household reunification purposes
Professionals additionally keep up to date with French immigration laws, serving to you keep away from errors that would delay or harm your utility.
Providers Sometimes Provided
• Full doc preparation
• Business plan refinement
• Authorized structuring to your French enterprise
• Communication with French authorities when wanted
• Assist creating an ANEF account and validating your visa
• Step-by-step residency renewal steerage
This assist helps candidates navigate the complicated necessities confidently, particularly these unfamiliar with French administrative procedures.
Conclusion
Making use of for the Entrepreneur Visa in France is a structured course of that rewards clear planning, monetary stability, and a robust enterprise imaginative and prescient.
This visa offers you the chance to begin or develop a enterprise in one in all Europe’s most tasty economies whereas having fun with the advantages of long-term residency.
Once you put together your paperwork fastidiously, construct a sensible marketing strategy, and perceive the timelines concerned, your probabilities of approval improve considerably. As soon as in France, staying compliant with renewal guidelines and sustaining a wholesome enterprise efficiency opens the door to multiyear permits, everlasting residency, and even citizenship.
In order for you extra assist, skilled immigration companies can information you thru every step and guarantee your utility is according to French necessities. With preparation and persistence, you possibly can efficiently start your entrepreneurial journey in France.
FAQ Part: Frequent Questions Concerning the Entrepreneur Visa in France
1. How lengthy does it take to get the Entrepreneur Visa in France?
Most purposes take 4 to eight weeks to course of. In case your occupation is regulated or requires particular approval, the timeline might lengthen to 10 or 12 weeks. Making use of early and offering full paperwork helps keep away from delays.
2. Do I want to talk French to get the entrepreneur visa?
French language expertise usually are not necessary on the utility stage. Nonetheless, talking French helps tremendously when working a enterprise, registering with native authorities, networking, and integrating into every day life. For long-term residency or citizenship, language necessities apply.
3. Can I apply for the Entrepreneur Visa whereas already in France?
If you’re already in France on a short-stay visa or one other residency allow, chances are you’ll generally apply from inside France relying in your standing. Most candidates apply from outdoors, by the France-Visas portal and native consulate. All the time verify with the native prefecture earlier than making use of internally.
4. What occurs if my enterprise earns lower than the required revenue within the first yr?
In case your income falls barely beneath the €21,621.60 threshold however exhibits progress potential and regular exercise, some prefectures nonetheless approve renewals. If revenue is much beneath expectations, renewal could also be denied. Sustaining monetary information and exhibiting secure progress improves your probabilities.
5. Can my partner work in France whereas on a household visa?
In lots of circumstances, spouses arriving by household reunification might apply for work authorization as soon as they obtain their residence card. The precise permission is dependent upon the kind of residence allow issued. For many long-stay visas, spouses acquire the best to work with out main restrictions.
6. What kinds of companies qualify for the entrepreneur visa?
A variety of actions qualify, together with freelance consulting, IT companies, on-line companies, artisan trades, hospitality, design, tutoring, and liberal professions. Regulated fields like drugs or legislation require particular authorization earlier than the visa might be authorized.
7. Is it doable to change from the Entrepreneur Visa to a Expertise Passport?
Sure. Many entrepreneurs start with the VLS/TS entrepreneur/occupation libérale and later transition to a Expertise Passport as soon as their enterprise expands, receives funding, or turns into revolutionary. This swap affords longer validity and stronger residency advantages.
8. How quickly can I apply for everlasting residency in France?
It’s possible you’ll apply for everlasting residency after 5 years of steady authorized residence. Throughout this time, you could present secure revenue, tax compliance, and profitable integration into French society. After acquiring a 10-year resident card, you possibly can renew it indefinitely.
