France, or the French Republic, is a country in North-Western Europe. It borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It covers an area of 643,801 square kilometers and has a population of over 67 million people. The capital city is Paris.
Immigration program
An individual hoping to establish a permanent residence in France can achieve this following the investor approach. Foreign investors who are members of the European Union are allowed to carry out investment business and procedures in the same manner that a French national would. They will have to apply for a residence permit. For foreign investors however, there is a specific residence permit called the multi-year Talent Passport Business Investor residence permit. They can apply either personally, through the company they control or through a company in which they have at least 30% shareholding status. They should also be able to show that they are aiming to create and protect jobs within the four years of investment. They should also show that they are investing or are committed to investing at least 300000 Euros in fixed assets, be they tangible or intangible. The maximum duration of time this permit holds up is four years, after which it can be renewed. However, the validity of this period depends on the nature and duration of the planned investment.
Immigration procedure
The procedure to apply for the permit should be initiated at least three months before arriving in France. If the investor is already living in France, they should begin three months before the previous residence permit expires.
Some of the documents required when making the application are:
- A long-stay visa application form, duly dated, completed and signed.
- A France-Visas receipt.
- A passport that is currently valid and has been issued within the last ten years.
- Proof of marital status and nationality such as a copy of birth certificate, children’s birth certificates or spouse’s residence permit or passport.
- Three recent standardized passport photos.
Investors must also provide the following additional documents:
- Evidence that they run the company personally or have at least 30% stake in the company.
- Evidence or documents that show creation or protection of jobs, or the intent to create or protect jobs, within the four years of investment.
Foreigners must pay a tax of 200 Euros to the immigration office and additional stamp duty of 25 Euros for the permit. Renewal applications of the permit must be submitted three months before the permit expires. They must also present documents that prove they continue to meet the requirements for the issuance of the permit. They include:
- Documents justifying the continuation of the investment.
- Documents justifying a new investment project, if the first one can be considered completed.
After five years of legal uninterrupted residence in France, workers can apply for a permanent resident card that will allow them to live there and engage in any profession for which they are qualified. Residence cards are valid for up to 10 years and can then be renewed.
If the individual wishes to bring their family members, for example, a spouse and children, then they will be given a “Talent Passport-Family” residence permit which is valid as long as the individual’s permit is valid.
Country overview
France is a country rich in culture and monuments, museums, sites, and other attractions. Accommodation is easily available, both in the countryside and in towns. The pace of life is a bit relaxed in France, and is even known to have one of the highest numbers of paid holidays in the world. France has strict regulations when it comes to food, hence ensuring fresh nutritious options. However, the cost of living is high compared to other countries. Tax rates are relatively high. There is a lot of bureaucratic red tape one has to deal with. Cost of essentials such as food and fuel, education and transport options are not cheap.
