Formal requirements
France does not currently offer a golden visa or citizenship based on an investment project. However, France offers four different immigration paths for business founders or investors (detailed below). Those paths are strictly for non-EU citizens.
Other investment opportunities
Start-up founders: “Talent Passport – Innovative Business Project” (Founders Procedure)
Requirements
A “letter of support” issued by one or several French Tech Visa partner incubators and accelerators, or by an incubator or accelerator supported by the French Tech Capital, or by two members of the French Tech ecosystem [1];
An official letter of acknowledgement of the innovative nature of the project issued by the DRIEETS IDF [2];
Sufficient annual financial means corresponding to the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC) [3].
Process (three months before the date of arrival):
Application for a long stay visa marked “Talent Passport – Innovative Business Project” to be submitted to the Consulate of the country of residence (€99);
Then for a residence permit marked “Talent Passport – Innovative Business Project” upon arrival in France (€225).
Validity Up to four years on a renewable basis.
Family A spouse is eligible to apply for a ‘Talent Passport – Family’ residence permit (€225 and €99 per visa issued to each member of the family).
Executives wishing to invest: “Talent Passport – Business Investor” (French Tech Visa)
Requirements
Investment through a personally run company (or with a stake of at least 30%) or personal investment in a company (stake of at least 10%);
Demonstrating through, a letter the creation or protection of, or a commitment to create or protect, jobs within four years following the investment in France;
Proof that the applicant has invested directly, or has committed to invest directly, at least €300,000 in fixed tangible or intangible assets in France over four years.
Same process (visa and permit names: Talent Passport ‘Business investor’) and period of validity as for the “Founders procedure”.
Talent Passport- Business Creation
Requirements
Diploma equivalent to a master's degree or proof of professional experience (at least 5 years);
Certificate acknowledging the real and serious nature of the business project issued by the “DRIEETS IDF” and demonstration of its economic viability (written presentation of the project, business buyout, foreign legal entity’s proof, lease-management in own name, letter of guarantee from a French-based credit institution or approved insurance company, and other documents depending on the business and organization choices) ;
Investment of at least €30,000 in the business project (in owned or borrowed resources);
Sufficient annual financial means (cf. Founders procedure)
Same process (visa and permit names: Talent Passport ‘Business Creation’) and period of validity as for the Founders procedure.
Visa and permit for a self-employed person or liberal activity:
Requirements
Demonstrate the economic viability of the project (cf. Talent Passport-Business Creation procedure)
Or sufficient annual financial means for a liberal activity (cf. Founders procedure)
Process: application for a long-stay visa, equivalent to a (VLS/TS) residence permit, bearing the statement “entrepreneur/profession libérale”
Validity: one year after visa validation / Costs: €324
Document link for further information.
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/france-visas/international-talents-and-economic-attractiveness
https://www.welcometofrance.com/fiche/french-tech-visa-for-founders
https://www.welcometofrance.com/fiche/passeport-talent-investisseur
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F16922
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[1] Research organizations, laboratories, etc.
[2] Direction générale interdépartementale de l’économie, de l’emploi, du travail et des solidarités Ile-de-France.
[3] i.e. €21,621.60 as of November 1, 2024.