Key Takeaways
• Applicants must show a business plan, proof of at least €1,766/month income, and health insurance for the French Republic Long-Stay Visa.
• Visa duration is typically one year, renewable if income and business conditions are met; “Passeport Talent” option available for larger projects.
• Regulated professions require recognized qualifications; all documents must be translated into French and often legalized with an apostille.
If you plan to move to the French Republic 🇫🇷 and work as your own boss, the French Republic Long-Stay Visa for self-employed professionals opens the door to making this a reality. This visa—officially called the “Visa de long séjour pour exercice d’une profession libérale ou indépendante”—is crafted for people who want to run their own business, freelance, or leave company jobs behind to work independently in France 🇫🇷. In this detailed guide, you will find all the steps, requirements, and helpful tips to set you on the right path, whether you are a consultant, web developer, artist, architect, or someone with another independent profession.
What Is the French Republic Long-Stay Visa for Independent Professionals?
The French Republic Long-Stay Visa for independent professionals lets non-European Union citizens (and those not from the European Economic Area) live in France 🇫🇷 while running their own business. If you do not have a passport from a European country, and you want to become a self-employed professional in France 🇫🇷, this is the visa for you. The visa lets you live in France 🇫🇷 for one year or, in certain cases, up to four years, and you can renew it.
Businesses covered by this visa include:
– Freelance and consulting work
– Opening a shop, bakery, or other small business
– Industrial work
– Handcraft activities (such as artisans)
– Agriculture
– Most service and professional jobs, except a few that require special qualifications
If you are aiming for the “Passeport Talent” (Talent Passport), which is a better fit for larger business projects, you may need to invest at least €30,000 in your business and show you have a master’s degree or five years’ work experience.
Who Is Eligible for This Visa?
To apply for the French Republic Long-Stay Visa for an independent profession, you must meet these main conditions:
- Citizenship:
You must not be a citizen of the European Union or European Economic Area. -
Professional Plan:
You must show you have a real business plan or clear idea of how you will work for yourself. This can be starting a company, working as a freelancer, or joining a partnership. The business has to make sense—France 🇫🇷 wants to see your plan is realistic and likely to succeed. -
Financial Proof:
You must prove you have—or will have—enough money to support yourself. As of January 2024, you need to show your projected income will be at least €1,766 per month before taxes, or €20,814.73 per year (this matches the French minimum wage).
- If your earnings will be low at first, proof of extra savings is helpful.
- If you have family members (spouse, children) joining you, you need at least 50% more income per dependent child.
-
Qualifications (for regulated jobs):
If you want to work in a regulated field (like medicine, law, or architecture), you need to prove you have the right diploma or official approval for your job in France 🇫🇷. -
Health Insurance:
You must have health coverage for the time you will be in France 🇫🇷. -
Clean Criminal Record:
You may be asked for proof you have not broken laws in your home country. -
Clear Plan for Housing:
France 🇫🇷 expects you to show where you will stay—a lease, a deed, or a letter from a friend or family member.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply
Starting your journey as a self-employed professional in France 🇫🇷 means more than dreaming—it’s about paperwork, plans, and patience. Here’s each step, what you need, and the best way to get things done.
Checklist of Documents Before You Begin
- Valid passport (issued in the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months after your planned date of leaving France 🇫🇷)
- 2 passport-style photographs
- Proof of address in France 🇫🇷 (rental contract, hotel reservation, invitation letter)
- Proof of health insurance
- Filled-out visa application form (CERFA n°14571*05). Download the official form here.
- Detailed business plan explaining the work you will do, how you will find clients, and how you will make enough money (should show at least the minimum wage per month as profit)
- Proof of qualifications/diplomas if your job is regulated
- Certificate of clean criminal record from your country (or police clearance certificate)
- If you are already in France 🇫🇷 on another visa, you must submit a residence permit change form (Cerfa no.13473*01)
- All documents translated into French and, if required, officially stamped with an apostille or notarized
Important: Check the French consulate’s website in your home country to see if they need any extra paperwork or have special instructions.
Step 1: Prepare Your Business Plan and Proofs
The business plan is the heart of your application for a French Republic Long-Stay Visa. It should:
– Clearly explain what you will do,
– Describe your business goals,
– List who your clients might be,
– Include a simple budget showing expected income and costs,
– Prove you expect to earn at least €1,766/month gross.
If you want to open a shop, show your lease agreement and explain how you will win customers. For online or freelance work, mention how you will find clients (websites, networking, etc.).
Tip: Make this single document as clear as possible. France 🇫🇷 immigration officers look for honesty, detail, and logic—not just big dreams.
Step 2: Apply Online and Book Your Visa Appointment
- Go to the official France Visas website to start your application.
- Fill out the application form (CERFA n°14571*05).
- Use the “visa wizard” tool on the site to check the exact requirements for your country of residence. Each country may ask for different steps or documents.
- Book an appointment with your nearest French consulate or visa center.
Fees:
Expect to pay between €99 and €120 for the application. Some countries may charge extra for document handling.
Step 3: Attend Your Visa Interview
Bring all your documents, plus copies and translations. At the appointment:
– Answer questions about your business project, finances, and why you want to live and work in France 🇫🇷.
– You may be asked about your business plan in detail.
– Keep extra proof of how you will support yourself.
Caution: Missing documents or confusing answers may slow down your case or lead to a denial.
Step 4: Wait for Your Visa Decision
Processing usually takes 2–3 weeks, but some offices can take longer if they are busy. Keep your phone and email available for any follow-up questions from the consulate.
Step 5: Arrive in France 🇫🇷 and Validate Your Visa
After getting your visa, you can travel to France 🇫🇷. Once there, you must:
– Register on the official OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) website within three months of arrival.
– Pay any required fee for validation.
– Go to a medical checkup and welcome interview if you are asked.
If you skip this step within three months, you risk losing your right to stay.
Resource: For more about the OFII process, visit the official website.
Step 6: Register Your Business
Once you’ve settled into France 🇫🇷:
– Decide on your business structure (for example, auto-entrepreneur, company, etc.).
– Register with URSSAF (for self-employed professionals and small businesses).
– Register for social security and tax ID.
– Open a bank account.
– If needed, register with a chamber of commerce or professional body.
Note: Anyone who does not register their business cannot legally start working as a self-employed professional.
Step 7: Renew Your Status
The French Republic Long-Stay Visa for independent profession is typically valid for one year, but you can renew it as long as:
– You still have a real business and keep meeting the income rules,
– You pay taxes in France 🇫🇷,
– Your paperwork is up to date.
For the “Passeport Talent” route, visas can be valid for up to four years and are also renewable.
Be aware: There’s a maximum annual turnover of around €100,000 per year for micro-entrepreneurs. If you earn more, you may have to change your legal business form.
If You Are Already Living in France 🇫🇷
If you’re already in France 🇫🇷 on a different visa, start your change-of-status process at your local prefecture at least two months before your old permit ends. Bring the same documents plus proof of current legal stay.
Regulated Professions: What You Need to Know
Some jobs in France 🇫🇷 require special authorization:
– Doctors, nurses, veterinarians
– Lawyers, notaries
– Architects, some technical and building experts
If your job is regulated, you must get your foreign qualifications recognized. This process is managed by the French “order” or professional group for each field. Be sure to start as soon as possible, as it may take months.
You can check the rules for your profession on the Bpifrance or Chamber of Commerce websites.
Tips for Success and Common Pitfalls
Plan extra time: Paperwork takes longer than you expect.
Translate carefully: Bad translations or missing official stamps lead to delays.
Be honest: Tell the truth in your business plan and interview.
Keep proof of money: Bank statements, contracts, or letters from clients help strengthen your file.
Prepare for interviews: You may be asked tough questions about your business plan.
Renew on time: Start your renewal process early—never let your permit expire.
What to Expect After Getting Your Visa
With your visa validated, you can legally run your business, invoice clients, and pay taxes in France 🇫🇷. You can move within France 🇫🇷, rent a home, and open a bank account. After several years, you may even be able to apply for permanent residency.
However, you must show the French authorities that your business is real and that you’re following the tax and social security rules.
Note: Breaking these rules, failing to pay taxes, or not earning enough could mean losing your right to live in France 🇫🇷.
Where to Find More Help and Information
The French government provides clear guidance on official websites. Visit France Visas Self-Employed Activity Page for up-to-date details on forms, steps, and links to the CERFA forms discussed above. This is the best official source on the French Republic Long-Stay Visa for independent profession.
VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that careful planning and full, clear documentation are key to success. People who do well often spend weeks or months preparing their application and studying French business rules in advance.
Local chambers of commerce, Bpifrance, and the French tax authorities also publish helpful information in English. If in doubt, contact the French consulate in your country directly.
In Summary
Getting a French Republic Long-Stay Visa for an independent profession is a real chance to build your own professional life in France 🇫🇷. The process is clear, but requires time, patience, and careful preparation—especially for self-employed professionals. Be ready with a strong business plan, financial proof, and all required documents. Always make use of official resources and seek help early when needed.
By staying organized and proactive, you avoid the most common mistakes and set yourself up for a successful, rewarding experience living and working in France 🇫🇷 as your own boss.
Learn Today
Visa de long séjour pour exercice d’une profession libérale ou indépendante → Official long-stay visa allowing non-EU citizens to run independent businesses or freelance in France.
Passeport Talent → Special French visa for skilled individuals, requiring at least €30,000 investment or advanced qualifications, valid up to four years.
OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) → Government body responsible for immigrant registrations, health checks, and validating long-stay visas after arrival in France.
CERFA Form → Standardized French administrative form applicants must complete and submit for visa or permit procedures.
Micro-entrepreneur → A simplified French business structure for small businesses and self-employed professionals, with lower taxes and reduced administrative requirements.
This Article in a Nutshell
The French Republic Long-Stay Visa empowers non-EU citizens to work self-employed in France by opening businesses or freelancing. Applicants need strong business plans, financial proof, and health insurance. Regulated professions require official recognition. Careful preparation, translated documents, and timely renewals are essential for success as an independent professional in France.
— By VisaVerge.com
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