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France Entrepreneur Visa

The French Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale Visa allows eligible non-EU nationals to live in France while operating a genuine self-employed, commercial, industrial, artisanal or liberal professional activity.

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Establish a Business or Independent Professional Activity in France

The French Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale Visa allows eligible non-EU nationals to live in France while operating a genuine self-employed, commercial, industrial, artisanal or liberal professional activity.

Successful applicants are normally issued a one-year long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit, known as a VLS-TS, bearing the wording:

Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale

The activity must be genuine, economically viable, compliant with French law and capable of providing sufficient income.

Check Your France Entrepreneur Visa Eligibility

Before applying, determine:

  • Whether your proposed activity qualifies
  • Whether the project is economically viable
  • Whether your qualifications or experience match the business
  • Whether the profession is regulated in France
  • Whether the projected income meets the current requirement
  • Whether your business plan and funding are credible
  • Whether this route or the Talent Project Creator route is more suitable
  • Whether your family can accompany you immediately
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What Is the French Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale Visa?

This visa is intended for people who want to make a self-employed activity their principal occupation in France.

The proposed activity may involve:

  1. Starting a new French business
  2. Establishing a sole proprietorship
  3. Creating a French company
  4. Opening a branch of a foreign company
  5. Purchasing or taking over a business
  6. Participating in an existing French company
  7. Providing independent professional services
  8. Practising a regulated or unregulated liberal profession

French law requires the activity to be economically viable, to provide sufficient means of support and to correspond with the applicant’s qualifications or professional experience. It must also be registered through France’s unified business-formalities system.

Who Can Qualify?

The route may be suitable for:

  1. Business owners
  2. Independent consultants
  3. Freelancers
  4. Designers and creative professionals
  5. Technology consultants
  6. Marketing professionals
  7. Management advisers
  8. Trainers and coaches
  9. Engineers and technical specialists
  10. Architects and other regulated professionals
  11. Healthcare practitioners who obtain the required French authorisation
  12. Owners establishing a French subsidiary or branch
  13. Applicants acquiring or operating an existing business

A business idea alone is insufficient. The applicant should have relevant qualifications, experience, financial capacity and a realistic plan for operating in the French market.

The route is primarily intended for highly educated professionals such as:

  1. Information technology professionals
  2. Engineers
  3. Researchers
  4. Healthcare specialists
  5. Finance professionals
  6. Scientists
  7. Data and artificial intelligence specialists
  8. Senior business professionals
  9. Sustainability and energy specialists
  10. Advanced manufacturing professionals
  11. Qualified entrepreneurs

Your occupation does not need to appear on a fixed job-search list. However, you should have realistic prospects of obtaining qualified employment or developing a viable business in Sweden.

Main Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must generally demonstrate that:

  1. They are a non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss national
  2. The proposed activity will be their principal activity in France
  3. The activity is commercially and economically viable
  4. The project complies with French legislation
  5. Their qualifications or experience are relevant to the activity
  6. They have sufficient financial and operational resources
  7. The activity can generate adequate personal income
  8. Any regulated-profession requirements have been satisfied
  9. They do not present a public-order or immigration-compliance concern

The residence title may cover commercial, industrial, artisanal and liberal professional activity. France-Visas also identifies eligible non-salaried economic activities, including certain agricultural activities.

Income Requirement in 2026

The proposed activity must be capable of providing resources at least equivalent to France’s full-time minimum wage, known as the SMIC.

As of June 2026, the full-time SMIC is:

Current SMIC Amount
Monthly gross SMIC €1,867.02
Indicative monthly net SMIC €1,477.93
Annual gross SMIC €22,404.20

For liberal professional activity, the official residence guidance requires evidence that the activity can provide at least €1,867.02 per month.

Does the Business Already Need to Earn This Amount?

Not necessarily at the initial business-creation stage.

For a new business, the applicant must demonstrate through credible evidence that the project is capable of becoming viable and producing sufficient income.

This normally requires:

  1. A detailed business plan
  2. Multi-year financial forecasts
  3. Market research
  4. Realistic pricing
  5. Expected sales or contracts
  6. Startup funding
  7. Operating-cost calculations
  8. Evidence of premises or business address
  9. Evidence of relevant expertise
  10. A clear customer-acquisition strategy

For an existing business or continuing professional activity, authorities may expect actual accounting, revenue and remuneration evidence.

 

Is There a Minimum Investment Requirement?

There is no universal fixed statutory investment amount for the ordinary Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale VLS-TS.

The required capital depends on the type, scale and operating needs of the proposed business.

An applicant should demonstrate sufficient funds for:

  1. Company formation
  2. Commercial premises or domiciliation
  3. Equipment
  4. Professional insurance
  5. Stock or inventory
  6. Marketing
  7. Operating costs
  8. Personal living expenses
  9. Initial taxes and social contributions

A low-cost consulting activity may require less capital than a restaurant, retail business, workshop or manufacturing operation.

Important: The absence of a fixed minimum investment does not mean that a poorly funded project will be accepted.

Updated Economic-Viability Requirements

France introduced a formal updated list of documents for economic-viability opinions in May 2026.

For a new business, the required evidence can include:

  1. Passport and identity pages
  2. Criminal-record certificate for applicants residing outside France
  3. Evidence of professional authorisation where required
  4. Detailed project presentation
  5. Business plan
  6. Multi-year projected budget
  7. Bank balance or funding evidence
  8. Evidence of business premises
  9. Evidence of necessary equipment
  10. Qualifications and professional-experience documents
  11. Draft company statutes
  12. Shareholding structure
  13. Purchase or lease-management agreement where taking over a business

For an existing company, authorities may also request:

  1. Tax-status records
  2. Recent balance sheets
  3. Profit-and-loss accounts
  4. Payroll or remuneration evidence
  5. URSSAF turnover declarations
  6. Evidence of the company’s ability to provide at least full-time SMIC income

The exact documents depend on whether the applicant is creating a company, acquiring a business, joining an existing enterprise or establishing a branch of a foreign company.

Commercial Activity vs Profession Libérale

Commercial, Industrial or Artisanal Activity

This category may include:

  1. Retail or wholesale businesses
  2. Trading companies
  3. Restaurants and hospitality businesses
  4. Manufacturing
  5. Technical workshops
  6. Service companies
  7. Construction or artisanal businesses
  8. French branches or subsidiaries

The project must be viable, adequately funded and compliant with licensing, zoning, safety and professional requirements.

Liberal Professional Activity

A profession libérale normally involves independent intellectual, technical or professional services.

Examples may include:

  1. Business consultancy
  2. Marketing consultancy
  3. Design services
  4. Independent technology services
  5. Translation
  6. Training
  7. Coaching
  8. Architecture
  9. Accounting
  10. Legal or healthcare professions where duly authorised.

Some liberal professions are regulated and require French recognition, professional registration, licensing or membership of the relevant professional order.

Regulated Professions

Applicants cannot rely on the visa alone to practise a regulated profession.

Additional requirements may apply to:

  1. Doctors
  2. Dentists
  3. Pharmacists
  4. Nurses and healthcare practitioners
  5. Architects
  6. Accountants
  7. Lawyers
  8. Surveyors
  9. Other licensed technical professionals

Depending on the profession, the applicant may need:

  1. Recognition of foreign qualifications
  2. French-language proficiency
  3. Registration with a professional order
  4. Professional examinations
  5. Practice authorisation
  6. Professional-liability insurance

    7. The relevant professional approval should be investigated before submitting the visa application.

Documents Commonly Required

The final checklist is generated according to the applicant’s nationality, country of residence and proposed activity.

Common documents may include:

  1. Valid passport
  2. Long-stay visa application
  3. Passport photographs
  4. Proof of lawful residence in the country of application
  5. CV
  6. Qualifications and transcripts
  7. Professional experience letters
  8. Criminal-record certificate
  9. Detailed business plan
  10. Market analysis
  11. Multi-year financial forecasts
  12. Proof of startup capital
  13. Bank certificates and statements
  14. Draft company statutes
  15. Shareholding details
  16. Commercial lease, domiciliation or premises evidence
  17. Purchase agreement where acquiring a business
  18. Equipment or asset evidence
  19. Client contracts or letters of interest
  20. Professional licences
  21. Evidence of regulated-profession compliance
  22. Evidence of projected personal income
  23. French translations
  24. Legalisation or apostille where required

France’s official Visa Wizard should be used to generate the final consular checklist applicable to the individual case.

Application Process

France Entrepreneur Visa Application Process

Step 1: Complete an Eligibility Assessment

Review your:

  1. Education
  2. Professional experience
  3. Business background
  4. Proposed activity
  5. Available funds
  6. Income projections
  7. Family situation
  8. French-market strategy

Step 2: Select the Correct Business Structure

Possible structures may include:

  1. Micro-entrepreneur
  2. Entreprise individuelle
  3. Micro-entrepreneur
  4. Entreprise individuelle
  5. EURL
  6. SARL
  7. SAS
  8. SASU
  9. French branch or subsidiary
  10. Other suitable legal structure
The correct structure depends on taxation, liability, shareholders, turnover, social contributions and the nature of the business

Step 3: Prepare the Business Plan

The business plan should explain:

  1. The proposed product or service
  2. Target customers
  3. Competitors
  4. Pricing
  5. Marketing strategy
  6. Applicant’s relevant experience
  7. Startup costs
  8. Projected revenue
  9. Operating costs
  10. Cash flow
  11. Employment creation, if any
  12. Why the business is viable in France

Step 4: Obtain the Required Viability Evidence

Depending on the activity and filing procedure, the applicant may need an official opinion concerning the economic viability of the proposed activity. Supporting documents should be prepared according to the updated May 2026 viability checklist.

Step 5: Submit the France-Visas Application

The applicant completes the online France-Visas process and submits the documents through the French embassy, consulate or authorised visa centre responsible for their lawful residence.

Step 6: Attend Biometrics or Interview

The applicant may be asked about:

  1. Professional background
  2. Business model
  3. Financial projections
  4. Source of investment
  5. French business contacts
  6. Intended residence
  7. Regulatory approvals
  8. Personal living expenses

Step 7: Receive the VLS-TS

If approved, the applicant normally receives a one-year long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit bearing the wording:
Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale France-Visas confirms that this VLS-TS is normally valid for one year.

Step 8: Validate the Visa After Arrival

A VLS-TS must be validated online through France’s foreign-national administration portal. The general France-Visas rule requires validation within three months of arrival. Applicants should complete validation promptly and follow the exact instructions issued with their visa.

Step 9: Complete French Business Registration

After arrival, the applicant must complete the formalities required to operate legally, which may include:

  1. Company or sole-trader registration
  2. National Business Register registration
  3. SIREN and SIRET numbers
  4. URSSAF affiliation
  5. Tax registration
  6. Professional insurance
  7. Commercial bank account
  8. Professional-order registration
  9. • Local licenses or permits

Visa Duration and Renewal - Initial Permission

The initial Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale VLS-TS is normally valid for up to one year.

Renewal

To renew, the applicant must demonstrate that:

  1. The business or professional activity is genuine
  2. The activity remains legally registered
  3. The company is operating
  4. Tax and social obligations are being met
  5. The activity continues to be viable
  6. Income remains sufficient
  7. The applicant continues to meet regulatory requirements

Authorities may examine:

  1. Company accounts
  2. Tax records
  3. URSSAF declarations
  4. Contracts
  5. Invoices
  6. Bank statements
  7. Revenue
  8. Personal remuneration
  9. Proof of commercial premises
  10. Evidence of continuing business activity

At the end of the first temporary residence period, an eligible applicant may request a four-year multiannual residence card. Current rules also require integration evidence, including French at A2 level and successful completion of the relevant civic examination for a first multiannual card, unless an exemption applies

France Entrepreneur Visa Fees

Official Charge Current Amount
Long-stay visa application €99
First entrepreneur/profession libérale residence card €350
Temporary-card renewal €250
Multiannual residence card €350

The €99 long-stay visa fee is generally non-refundable. Additional service-centre, translation, legalisation, company-registration, insurance and professional charges may apply.

Taxes connected to online VLS-TS validation or residence-card issuance should be confirmed at the applicable stage because the required payment can depend on the document issued.

Can Your Spouse and Children Accompany You?

The ordinary Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale route does not provide the automatic simplified Talent Family procedure available to holders of certain Talent residence permits.

Family members may need:

  • Their own independent long-stay visa; or
  • A later family-reunification application.

Standard family reunification generally requires the principal resident to have lived lawfully in France for at least 18 months, hold an eligible residence document and demonstrate sufficient stable resources and suitable accommodation.

Applicants who want to relocate immediately with their spouse and children should compare the ordinary entrepreneur route with the Talent—Project Creator pathway before applying.

Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale vs Talent Project Creator

Feature Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale Talent Project Creator
Initial duration Normally one year Up to four years
Fixed investment No universal fixed minimum At least €30,000 for business-creation category
Qualification Relevant education or experience Master’s equivalent or five years of comparable experience
Project standard Economically viable Real and serious qualifying project
Family procedure No automatic Talent Family route Simplified Talent Family route may apply
Best suited for Smaller businesses and independent professionals Higher-investment or higher-level projects

The Talent Project Creator route currently requires a qualifying project, sufficient personal resources and at least €30,000 in project financing for the business-creation category.

Pathway to Long-Term Residence

Time spent lawfully under an Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale residence title may contribute toward eligibility for long-term residence.

An applicant who has lived legally and continuously in France for at least five years may qualify for a 10-year EU long-term resident card, subject to income, insurance, integration, absence and other requirements.

French citizenship by naturalisation may also become possible after an eligible period of residence, commonly five years, but it is discretionary and requires integration, stable income, French-language ability, civic knowledge and compliance with other conditions.

Common Reasons Applications Fail

The projections do not show realistic demand, pricing, revenue or cash flow.

The applicant cannot show enough capital to establish and operate the proposed activity.

Large recent deposits are not supported by sale agreements, income records, tax evidence or other credible documentation.

The applicant has limited education or experience relevant to the proposed activity.

The plan is copied, lacks French-market research or contains unrealistic financial assumptions.

The applicant has not obtained the recognition or professional authorisation required to practise in France.

The project does not credibly show that it can provide income at least equivalent to full-time SMIC.

Owning shares or registering a French company does not automatically provide the right to reside and work in France.

The applicant focuses on obtaining the initial visa but does not maintain accounting, tax, URSSAF, contract and income evidence

Why Choose Superior Consulting

A France Entrepreneur Visa application requires more than registering a company or presenting a bank balance.

  • Immigration eligibility
  • Business model
  • French company structure
  • Economic viability
  • Market research
  • Financial forecasts
  • Source of funds
  • Professional qualifications
  • Regulatory licensing
  • Family planning
  • Consular documentation
  • Renewal strategy

Superior Consulting has provided immigration consulting and application-support services since 2004 and brings more than 22 years of immigration-industry experience.

Our France Entrepreneur Visa Support

Subject to the agreed scope and applicable French law, our assistance may include:

  • Preliminary eligibility assessment
  • Entrepreneur vs Talent route comparison
  • CV and business-background review
  • Business-plan preparation support
  • Financial-projection coordination
  • Source-of-funds checklist
  • Company-structure planning support
  • Viability-evidence coordination
  • Professional-licensing guidance
  • Visa-document checklist
  • Application-form assistance
  • Cover-letter preparation
  • Interview preparation
  • Family-route assessment
  • Post-arrival registration guidance
  • Renewal-planning information

No ethical consultancy can guarantee economic-viability approval, visa issuance, business success or residence-card renewalSubject to the agreed scope and applicable French law, our assistance may include:

Contact us today to begin your

France Entrepreneur Visa
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Start Your France Entrepreneur Visa Assessment

Send the following information:

  1. Updated CV
  2. Passport nationality
  3. Current country of residence
  4. Date of birth
  5. Marital status
  6. Number of dependants
  7. Highest qualification
  8. Professional experience
  9. Existing business experience
  10. Proposed French activity
  11. Available investment
  12. Source of investment
  13. Expected monthly revenue
  14. Existing customers or contracts
  15. Preferred French city
  16. Draft business plan, if available

Contact Superior Consulting

Superior Head Office Karachi Details:

Pakistan UAN: (021) 111-002-345
Karachi Lines: +92-21-35658107 to 09
Additional Lines: +92-21-35657361 and 35657362
Mobile: +92 334 3522967
WhatsApp: +92 334 3522967
Email: info@superior.com.pk

 
Dubai Office Details:

Call or WhatsApp: +971 56 171 2877
Alternative UAE contact: +971 50 947 6307

Send Us Email: info@superiorglobal.ae

Superior Global Website

 
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A 30-minute professional consultation is available for PKR 5,000. The consultation fee is adjustable against our professional service fee when you retain Superior Consulting within 30 days, subject to the applicable terms.

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FAQS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

It is a long-stay residence pathway for non-EU nationals who want to operate a viable self-employed business or independent professional activity in France.

The VLS-TS is normally valid for up to one year.

No. This is a self-employed and entrepreneurial residence pathway rather than an employer-sponsored work visa.

There is no universal fixed minimum investment for the ordinary Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale route. The available funding must be realistic for the proposed activity.

The activity should be capable of providing resources at least equivalent to the full-time French SMIC, currently €1,867.02 gross per month.

Potentially. The applicant must demonstrate a genuine professional activity, relevant expertise, clients or market demand and sufficient projected income.

Potentially, provided the project is adequately funded, commercially viable and compliant with premises, health, safety, licensing and business-registration requirements.

Yes, in principle. The application may require the sale agreement, previous operator’s financial statements, commercial lease and evidence that the business can support the applicant.

Potentially. You may need the foreign company’s constitutional and registration documents, appointment evidence, French branch information and recent financial statements.

There is no single degree level applying to every case, but the proposed activity should correspond to the applicant’s qualifications or professional experience.

There is no single published French-language test requirement for every initial VLS-TS application. French ability can nevertheless affect business credibility, licensing and market prospects. For a first multiannual residence card, current rules generally require French at A2 level and the applicable civic examination, subject to exemptions

Only after satisfying the French recognition, licensing or professional-order requirements applicable to that profession.

The route does not provide an automatic Talent Family permit. Family members may require separate visas or may qualify later through family reunification.

Yes, provided the activity remains genuine, registered, viable and capable of providing sufficient resources.

After the first qualifying period, an eligible applicant may request a multiannual Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale card valid for up to four years.

No. Company registration alone does not prove economic viability or create an automatic right of residence.

No. The applicant remains responsible for establishing customers, generating income, paying taxes and complying with French business law.

Qualifying lawful residence may count toward a long-term residence application after five years, subject to all applicable requirements.

No. Final decisions are made by the competent French authorities, and no ethical consultancy can guarantee visa approval or business success.

Superior Consulting is an offshore immigration consultancy providing assessment, documentation and process-support services from Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. We do not claim to be a French law firm, accounting practice or tax adviser. French legal, corporate, accounting or tax services should be provided by appropriately qualified professionals where required.

Important Disclaimer

French immigration laws, SMIC amounts, visa fees, residence-card taxes, business-registration rules, economic-viability requirements and consular procedures may change.

Applicants should obtain a personalised assessment before transferring funds, signing a commercial lease, purchasing a business or making relocation arrangements.