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Fact sheet : run a company in France

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Visa, staying, working Startup founders Residence-permit

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You have a business creation project in France and you want to settle there

 

 

To engage in a commercial, industrial or craft activity for more than 3 months in France, any national of a non-Member State of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland must apply for a residence permit.  British citizens must now also apply for a residence permit as provided below for any arrival after January 1, 2021.

 

The type of residence permit applicable will vary depending on whether you are the head of your Group’s French subsidiary, an entrepreneur or a start-upper. Read on to find out all the details!

 

 Helpful tips: Certain professions are referred to as “regulated” and require specific diplomas. Feel free to request information sufficiently in advance.

 

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Which residence permit?

Audience Eligibility criteria Residence permit issued Duration of residence permit
Company directors or legal representatives Company directors must provide evidence of:
  • Three months’ service in an establishment or business belonging to the same group, as an employee or company director.
  • Gross annual pay of at least three times the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), i.e. €64,864.80 as of November 1, 2024.
  • Their appointment as legal representative of an establishment or company established in France.
    		 Talent Passport - "Company director" multi-year residence permit Up to 4 years, renewable
    Company founders Company founders must provide evidence of:
    • A qualification corresponding to a master’s degree or equivalent, or at least five years’ commensurate professional experience.
    • Existence of a real and serious plan to form an economically viable business in France.
    • An investment of at least €30,000 in the planned business.
    • Sufficient annual financial means corresponding to the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), i.e. €21,621.60 as of November 1, 2024
    		Talent Passport - "New Business" multi-year residence permit Up to 4 years, renewable
    Startup founders Startup founders must provide evidence of:
    • An innovative business project they want to develop in France.
    • Recognition of the project by a public-sector body (central government, local authorities, public institutions, public corporation, etc.) ;
    • Sufficient annual financial means corresponding to the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), i.e. €21,621.60 as of November 1, 2024
      • The startup founder can also apply for this Talent passport through the French Tech Visa for Founders procedure under some conditions.
      		Talent Passport - "Innovative business project" multi-year residence permit Up to 4 years, renewable
      Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs must provide evidence of:
      • an activity compatible with public safety, health and order requirements;
      • an activity economically viable and, if he/she joins an existing company, its capacity to pay himself/herself sufficient remuneration (at least equal to the minimum wage, i.e. €21,621.60 as of November 1, 2024)
      		“Entrepreneur/Self-Employed” residence permit One year, renewable
      Company founders of Algerian nationality Algerian nationals enjoy a derogatory migratory status. To direct a company in France, they must apply for a long-stay visa for merchants, craftspersons, industrialists or the self-employed and, as the case may be, from the Trade and Companies Register or the Trades Register or a professional order. Certificate of residence Non-salaried profession One year, renewable

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