IMMIGRATION TO FRANCE

FRANCE: IMMIGRATION FOR WEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

A residence permit in France for wealthy candidates (titre de séjour “visiteur”) is part of our most attractive immigration program and is carried out by us in accordance with Art. R313-6 : Code de l’entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d’asile.

At Inimex, we are able to provide you with comprehensive and professional assistance, starting by preparing all legal and financial documents for your application. We will accompany you throughout the entire process of application for your French residence permit: from applying to an immigration visa at your local French embassy, to obtaining your residence permit at the OFII (Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration), and eventually renewing your resident card in France.

The 3 major conditions for a financially independent applicant acquiring French residency, set out by the Department of Immigration of France, are the following:

1. 1. 1. Documents supporting sufficient funds to live in France;
      2. Proof of accommodation in France (lease agreement or property ownership);
      3. Engage not to perform any employment in France.

The French Consulate issues a Type D immigration visa (visiteur) within 2 to 3 weeks upon submission of an application.

Once you have received your immigration visa, you should come to France within the 2 first months to validate your long stay visa and to apply for French residency. The residency permit needs to be renewed annually for the next 5 years, after which you may have the right to apply for permanent residency. Your children may obtain a travel document (DCEM) valid for up to 5 years (some conditions may apply). After a permanent residency status is obtained, which is valid for 10 years, you may be eligible to apply for French citizenship.

If you wish to know more about immigration to France as a wealthy individual, click here.

FRANCE: IMMIGRATION FOR TALENTED BUSINESSPERSON AND INVESTORS

France wishes to attract talented entrepreneurs and investors who would contribute to the economic attractiveness of the nation. As a result, Department of Immigration of France has adopted a new “passeport talent program” specifically designed for this category of applicants.

Inimex has succeeded in nearly all talented entrepreneur cases for clients who have expressed a desire to move to France for developing their business. To begin the application, one has to obtain an immigrant visa bearing the note “créateur d’entreprise” or “investisseur“. Once the visa is issued, the applicant should arrive in France within 2 months in order to apply for a residence permit. The first French residency cards issued to the applicant and its family members (spouse and children) are valid for up to 4 years, with the right for renewal. Under this status, the applicant’s spouse will have the opportunity and the right to work in France.

Main requirements for investors: 

1. 1. 1. Own at least 30% of authorized capital;
      2. Own at least 10% of the invested business;
      3. Invest at least 300,000 euros in the business;
      4. Create or preserve employment in the business and conserve the engagement for at least 4 years.

FRANCE: IMMIGRATION FOR HIGHLY-QUALIFIED WORKERS

In the event you have found a French company that is willing to employ you as a skilled worker, our team of immigration lawyers and specialists in immigration would be able to assist you in obtaining a work visa, which is valid for up to 12 months, as well as a French residency permit, that is valid for up to 4 years.

The requirements for your residence permit as a qualified specialist in order to work and live in France are the following:

1. 1. 1. Employer must demonstrate that no candidate can fulfill your position within France or the European Union;
      2. Employment contract is drawn for at least one year;
      3. The proposed annual salary should be equivalent to at least EUR 53 836 (per estimates of January 2019);
      4. Hold a diploma issued by a recognized institution, indicating your completion of at least 3 years of higher education or;
      5. Demonstrate 5 years of comparable professional experience in a relevant field.

FRANCE: STUDENT VISA

Inimex is at your disposal to assist you in choosing a suitable educational institution, determining your training specialization, obtaining a student visa, and finally, adapting to your new learning environment in France.

The requirements to obtain a French student visa are the following:

1. 1. 1. Must be at least 18 years of age;
      2. Be admitted and enrolled in an educational institution in France;
      3. Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover the school fees and living expenses in France.

Depending on your city of residence, the process of student visa approval may take a few weeks. Upon arrival in France, you must contact the French Department of Immigration at your city of residence in France in order to confirm your arrival in France and validate your student status. The first residency card will be issued for one (1) year, with the right of subsequent renewal.

As a foreign student living in France, you are eligible to work while studying . However, you are not allowed to work more than 964 hours per year. Upon completion of your studies, you may have the right to extend your stay in France by changing your immigration status from “Student” to “Employee” (salarié).

For further details of the requirements and procedure of international student applications, please refer to the following laws stipulated by French immigration authorities: Code de l’entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d’asile, articles L313, R313.

If you have any questions, our local team would be more than happy to provide answers via telephone, WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber +33-621-662-009 (France) or via Skype (Linimex).

FRANCE: CITIZENSHIP

A born child with at least one French citizen parent may obtain French citizenship.

A child born in France to foreign parents is entitled to French citizenship in the following cases:

1. 1. 1. If the child is living in France and has lived continuously in France or its territories for at least 5 years upon reaching the age of 16;
      2. If the child is attending school in France, and has been living continuously in France or its territories for at least 5 years upon reaching the age of 13;
      3. If one of the parents of the child was born in France, in one of its former colonies, or under the sovereignty of France;
      4. If the parents are stateless.

A child born in France during a short visit by its mother as a tourist is not entitled to French citizenship.

A marriage with a French citizen does not automatically grant the spouse French citizenship. In order to obtain it, a foreigner who has married a French citizen must fulfill one of the following requirements:

1. 1. 1. The couple is married and lives in France for at least 4 years. At the time of application, cohabitation should not be interrupted, and the French spouse must have retained his or her French citizenship;
      2. The couple is married and lives outside France for at least 5 years. At the time of application, cohabitation should not be interrupted, and the French spouse must have retained his or her French citizenship.

An application for French citizenship under the naturalization program is only possible after 5 years of legal residence in the country, except for marriage as stated above.

Additionally, one has to demonstrate his or her successful integration into French society, namely, a sufficient level of French language, as well as knowledge of the rights and obligations of a French citizen. However, for persons over the age of 65, such requirement is waived, as they simply need to attend an interview with an official in French to prove daily conversation capabilities.

Inimex will provide you with any assistance necessary to help you apply for a French citizenship, along with our team of professional and experienced French immigration lawyers. For more information, our France office can be contacted via telephone, WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber +33-768-152-300 (France) or via Skype (Linimex).

FRANCE: OUR SERVICES

1. 1. 1. Visa and residence permit in France for investors, financially independent person and entrepreneurs;
      2. Visa and residency permit for a spouse of a French national;
      3. Student visa and student permit in France;
      4. Company registration in France, business and financial plans, société civile en immobilier;
      5. Services in bank account opening, health insurance coverage and medical care needs, registration of children in a French school, application for a French driver license, etc;
      6. Renting and buying a property in France, including a viager. Real estate management of your property if you are outside of France;
      7. Registration at local utility suppliers (electricity Engie, EDF, hot water, home internet, telephone, etc.);
      8. Application for a permanent residency in France and for French citizenship;
      9. Private driver with luxury car, translator and private assistant;
      10. Tax declaration process and accounting services.