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France Startup Visa and Setting Up a Company in France
A French residence permit for founders who are launching an innovative project or opening a company in France. We pick the right status, help with the business plan and build the application file.
What people call the France startup visa is really a set of routes for founders. An innovative project backed by a recognized French incubator or a government program can qualify for a Talent Passport. If you are creating a company, there is a Talent Passport for business creation: you invest at least €30,000 in the project and present a serious business plan. For a small business or an independent practice, there is entrepreneur or liberal profession status, where your income must be at least the French minimum wage. The Talent Passport is issued for up to 4 years, and your family receives its own status together with you.
The right route depends on your project: how innovative it is, whether an incubator supports it, how much you are ready to invest and who is on the team. Applications often need letters of recommendation. We assess the project, choose the status and prepare documents that show the consulate a real business rather than a formality.
Who it is for
- Founders of innovative projects supported by an incubator
- Entrepreneurs opening a company in France
- Teams of one or two founders ready to move with their families
- Independent professionals with their own practice
Requirements
- A business plan with a financial model and market description
- For an innovative project: support from a recognized incubator or program
- For business creation: an investment of at least €30,000 in the project
- For entrepreneur status: income at or above the French minimum wage
- Proof of the founder's qualifications and experience
- Housing, health insurance and a clean criminal record
What we do
- Assess your project and choose the right status
- Help with the business plan and financial model
- Advise on getting incubator support and letters of recommendation
- Collect documents and arrange French translations and apostilles
- Guide your application through France-Visas and the consulate
- Help with company registration and your family's documents
Key documents
- Passport and the France-Visas application form
- Business plan and financial model
- Proof of incubator support or of your investment
- Letters of recommendation, if required
- Degrees and proof of experience
- Criminal record certificate with an apostille and translation
- Proof of housing and health insurance
How it works
- Project assessmentinnovation, team, budget and choice of status
- Business planthe plan, financial model and support letters
- Documentstranslations, apostilles, insurance and housing
- FilingFrance-Visas form, consulate appointment and biometrics
- Arrival and companyvalidating your visa, registering the business and family documents
Timeline
Preparing the business plan and documents usually takes from a few weeks to a couple of months, then the consulate reviews the application and the visa is validated after arrival.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- A project without clear innovation will not qualify for the innovative startup route
- An investment below the required amount, or without a proven source of funds, is a reason for refusal
- The consulate will not accept a business plan without realistic numbers
- Renewal depends on whether the business develops as described in your plan
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $14,500. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
Is there a France startup visa?
There is no visa with that exact name. Instead, France offers a Talent Passport for founders of innovative projects and for business creation, plus entrepreneur status. We pick the route that fits your project and budget, and explain what each one requires before you commit.
How much do I need to invest to open a company in France and get residence?
For the Talent Passport for business creation, at least €30,000 invested in the project. For entrepreneur status, what matters more is that your income reaches the French minimum wage. We work out your budget after assessing the project.
How long is the Talent Passport issued for?
For up to 4 years. Family members receive their own status together with the founder. After 5 years of legal residence you can apply for a long-term residence permit, as long as the business keeps operating and you live in France.
Do I need letters of recommendation?
Often, yes: they help show that the project is serious and that the founder has relevant experience. If you don't have any, we will suggest how to get them. This part of the preparation is best started early.
Can several founders move together?
Yes, each founder applies for their own status. It pays to plan roles and shareholdings in advance: the authorities look at each person's real contribution to the project, not just the job title.
How long does the process take?
Preparing the business plan and documents usually takes from a few weeks to a couple of months. Then the consulate reviews the application, and after arrival the visa has to be validated. We give a more precise estimate once we have assessed the project.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
